98. Upgrading to Windows XP

You can upgrade a computer that runs Windows 98, 98SE, or Me to Windows XP Home Edition. Those same versions, along with Windows NT Workstation 4.0 and Windows 2000 Professional, can be upgraded to Windows XP Professional.

(1).To ensure a smooth upgrade and avoid networking problems, follow these tips before starting the upgrade:

(2)Install all network cards. XP will detect them and automatically install the right drivers.

(3)Have your Internet connection available. The XP setup process will connect to a Microsoft server to download the latest setup files, including changes that have been made since XP was released.

Some programs are incompatible with XP and can cause networking problems. Un-install these programs. After the upgrade is complete and the network is working, re-install XP-compatible versions of these programs: Internet Connection Sharing, NAT, Proxy Server Anti-Virus Firewall.

90.Restore Missing Windows Update Link

Microsoft has made available to all Windows users, a web site that provides Updates to its Operating Systems. By default, a link is provided in the Start Menu. If for some reason you have removed this link or it has just mysteriously disappeared, then here is a simple method to recover this link to your Start Menu: Here is the address to the Windows Update website: windowsupdate.Microsoft.com
On the above link, point your mouse directly over the Windows Update link. While holding your mouse over the link, left-click the link and keep the left button depressed. While continuing to hold the left mouse button down, mouse over the Start Menu and wait a moment for the menu to expand. Once the menu has expanded vertically, continue holding down the left mouse button and mouse over the "All Programs" button. The All Programs menu will also expand. Once the All Programs menu has expanded, slide the mouse pointer up the programs menu until you have chosen a location within the menu for your link to reside (you should see a black horizontal line while you're moving your pointer around in the programs menu). Once you've chosen the location for your link, remove your finger from the left-click button and the link will now pop into place. You can right click the newly placed link and rename it "Windows Update" or just leave it as is. Now, you can left click the link again and hold the left click button depressed while sliding the mouse pointer into the Start Menu area (you should again see a black horizontal line while you're moving your pointer around in the Start Menu). Once you have chosen a location within the Start Menu for your link to reside, just lift your finger from the left-click button and again, the link will pop into place. Congrats! You've just added the Windows Update URL to your Start Menu.