2/6     Can somebody tell me about installing/upgrading to WinXP?
        I deal with MS as little as possible but it's for a friend who
        refuses any alternative.  There are 2 computers, both w/ Win98.
        I want to do a clean install on both-- will XP let me use
        any old Win98 product key to install, and will it let me reformat
        beforehand?  I'm not sure he has his old keys.  Thanks
        \_ If you wipe you cant do an upgrade.
        \_ You cannot use a Win98 product key to install XP.  Go out
           and buy XP.  Actually, buy one for each computer.  Mr. Bill
           needs your love.  On install, XP will give you an option
           for reformatting disk.
           \_ I plan to buy an upgrade version of XP-- will my win98
              product key allow me to install that upgrade version of
              XP on a formatted disk?
              \_ I believe you need a Win98 CD to install on a formatted disk.
                 (never asks you for a product key for an older MS product)
        \_ Actually if you have a blank HDD and a win98 CD, that's all you
           need to install an upgrade version of XP.  I've installed several
           copies of XP upgrade using the same 98 CD.
        \_ my sysadmin at work gave me an unused copy of xp to install at
           home that came with a dell system (i think they are using that
           system with linux now). I want to install it on my home computer
           on a totally new hard drive. will this work or will the windows
           xp somehow figure out that it's not running on a dell? (the
           xp cd has dell logos all over it and says "only for distribution
           with a new dell system"). - !op
           \_ I'd also like to know how this works.  If you could try it,
              please tell me your results.   -mjm
              \_If you have a copy of XP you need a CD key. Each cd key can
              only be used once for each machine. If you change machines you
              will need to call up Microsoft to get a new key. If the version
              of XP that came with the Dell is a full version or upgrade then
              you can install it. If it is an OEM version then most likely it
              will not work unless you mess around with files on the CDs.
              The reason for this
              is that XP need to be activated. I've had instances where clients
              have bought XP, installed it, activated it, and then reinstalled
              on the same machine and the activation not reworking. It's a pain
              in the ass and all it does is annoy people who try to use the
              software in a legitimate fashion. People who are going
              to pirate it
              just stick in a corporate key they can get from the multitude of
              warez sites and bypass activation altogether... All in all it's
              a pretty stupid concept, but it does prevent the casual user from
              being a pirate and keeps MSFT's margins way up. And that's all
              MS is trying to do anyway.