I'm not familiar with the HP PSC Photosmart, but if it communicates with
your computer via a USB connection, that could be where the problem lies.
There are updated USB drivers for Win98SE. You should be able to get them
from Microsoft(www.microsoft.com) or from www.driverguide.com.
If it is not a USB connection problem, I'm sure you will receive other more
informed suggestions in response to your question.
Windows XP has updated drivers built into it. Also, it is currently the
latest OS and will run all the newer software. It will run most older
software by setting the 'compatibility' in XP for each of those older
software. Windows XP requires certain minimum hardware capability. Since you
have a new computer, it should meet all the requirements. However, extra
memory helps a lot. I suggest 512MB or more if your computer can handle it.
You can download a program from Microsoft that will check your computer for
minimum compatibility and give you a report.
Since you recently installed Win98SE, you probably don't have a lot of
'stuff' on your computer. You might want to see a discussion on "Files and
Settings Transfer Wizard" at www.winsupersite.com before installing XP. This
method works best if you have two hard drives in your computer. As a test,
the last full install I did over the top of the existing Win98 OS. At one
point in the install it asked if I wanted to upgrade or do a clean install.
I chose a clean install. Everything went fine and all the program and data
files were still there. I had to set up all new shortcuts on the desktop but
it sure saved a lot of time over having to save all the data files and
reinstalling all the programs. A couple of programs such as 'Word' which use
the registry had to be reinstalled. It gave me a higher respect for the
intuitiveness of XP.
Installing XP is simple and is best done as a clean install (nothing on the
hard drive including system files). If not being used in a business, Windows
XP Home Upgrade from Win98 will work as long as you have the 98 CD to insert
during the install to verify eligibility to upgrade. The last three XP's I
purchased as full installs for about $100 (total including taxes and
delivery) through E-bay which were less than XP upgrades at that time.
Either will work. If your computer does not start up from the CD when you
begin the install, you need to check the CMOS to make sure that the CD is in
the boot device search. Normally, you get into the CMOS by pressing the
delete key during the beginning of the boot process. However, your computer
may have a different way to access the CMOS. The boot device order should be
in the first group of 'advanced settings'. Don't make any changes unless you
are comfortable doing it, although, if things really get messed up, there is
a place in the CMOS to reset 'default' settings.
After XP is installed make sure to install all of the Microsoft 'Critical
Updates' and those other updates you might desire. Even with a high speed
Internet connection, this will take some time (2 to 3 hours). With a dial-up
connection a LOT longer. I won't even mention the benefit of using a
frequently updated AV program since there are new viruses all the time.
I hope this helps. If upgrading the Win98SE USB drivers is the answer, you
may still want to consider going to XP since Microsoft has or soon will be
stopping formal servicing of Win 98.
Tom Mayer
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dawn Acred" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 9:15 AM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Windows...Re-Install or Upgrade ??
The Computer Lady told me that this is one of THE places to go to get help
from hundreds of professionals so I am here to see what y'all suggest I do:
I use Windows 98SE.
My PC is only 1 year old (it came with no operating system so I used 98SE
since it was what I had on my old system).
I have a brand new HP PSC Photosmart All-In-One Printer, Fax, Scanner,
Copier.
I hooked it up and everything except the Scanner works fine.
After talking to HP for 5.25 hours trying to resolve the problem - they
finally determined that I need to re-install Windows 98SE or upgrade to a
newer version of Windows (something about my drivers being corrupt ? funny,
they weren't corrupt with my old PSC ?? - anyway).
HP had me run many different free on-line virus checkers on my system (I
already had Norton Firewall & Anti-Virus) and they all found nothing.
Then they had me install the PSC on my mom's new Dell with Windows XP and
every aspect of the PSC worked perfect on her new PC.
These two things made them determine it is my Windows drivers.
So I need advice as to which would be better:
Re-install Windows 98SE (and can a novice do this without destroying my PC
or loosing any data ?)
~OR~
Purchase a "newer" version of Windows ? But which one is better - Windows
ME, Windows 2000??, Windows NT??, Windows XP ? And can I install one of
these without crashing my PC ? Also, I heard that some of my existing
software would not run under a newer version of Windows - is that correct ?
If so, how do I know which ones would no longer work ?
Sorry this is so much - but I wanted to make sure you knew all the details.
And as you can tell I don't know too much about PCs.
I will await y'all's direction...
Thanks so much for ANY advice -
Dawn Acred
PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
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PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download
visit our download web page at:
http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
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