Before you even think about putting that brand
new Windows 98 CD into your drive to start the upgrade there are several
thing you should do.
First, run your Scan Disk utility on the hard drive you plan to install on. Next run Defrag on the same disk. You now should have a drive that is in the best possible shape it can be.
After having done the above, you should shut down every program that is running except for Win 95. Check to see what is in your startup folder. Anything that is listed there must be shut down. Shut down your virius program, I do hope you are running one.
If you are running screen savers, disable them. They can alway be restarted later.
The last item you should disable is any power management programs you have running. This is just a precaution against your power manager activating and interfering with the installation.
Hopefully you have all the latest drivers for sound cards, video card, ect. This is one area that a lot of the problem happen. Windows 98 has a large list of drivers available but not nessisarily the best ones for your hardware. If possible have the latest drives on floppy so if your equipment that is installed goes flacky after you install Win 98 you can reload them through the Add New Hardware in the control panel.
It is also a good idea to do a backup of all your hard drives before starting. That way if something goes very wrong you can reformat your drive and at least be back to where you started. Be sure to have that emergancy start disk that Win 95 asked you to make updated with the files you need to get your CD-ROM drive working.
You are now ready to make the change to the new OS. Insert the disk. If you have your system set for autostart CD's the installation screen should come up. Have the jewel case the CD came in near by as you will be asked to enter the numbers that are on it.
Though it has been said that you can walk away and Win 98 will install itself (it will) I would advise against it. There is some information about the new OS will it installs that is worth reading.
The major hang point seems to be when 98 check for installed hardware. If it does hang, read your manual for the method to restart the installation. 98 will skip that hardware when you restart.
If everything seems to install with no problems go through and try all your programs to see if they start like they should. Next try you peripherals; printers, scanners, sound cards, modems; (If you had a working connection to the Web you should not have to run the setup wizard for a connection.
If everything works, you are ready to try out new
features.
I am hoping that you the visitor to this site will help me to develope a more interesting site. Send any questions you have on Win 98 and I'll get into my books and try and find the answers.