Upgrading Windows -- But Not All The Way

Readers: Some of you think you're pretty smart, and we tend to agree. Starting this Friday, it's your turn to give tech support. On Fridays, this column will become a reader mailbag where you can contribute your advice on the week's questions or any topic Steve Morman has tackled. Send your tips to helpmenu@ibsys.com. Please include your hometown and state.

Question,

I use a Zeos 486 (computer with) 16 MB of RAM (memory), an additional hard drive and Windows 3.1. How can I update to Windows 95? Is that better than trying to update to Windows 98?

Do I need the entire program or just an update disk? Will my programs transfer?

Thanks.

Shell, Minneapolis

Shell,

You can upgrade your old Windows 3.1 to either Windows 95 or Windows 98. I suggest you upgrade your computer to Windows 98. While Win98 is somewhat less stable, it has many improvements over Win95, and it's light years ahead of Windows 3.1. You can purchase an "upgrade" version for less than $100.

In order to install Window98 on your computer, Microsoft lists the following minimum requirements:

• Processor: At least as recent as the pre-Pentium 486DX or more recent and at least 66 megahertz of speed.
• Memory: 24 megabytes of RAM. (More memory improves performance.)
• Hard drive: 140 to 315 megabytes of disk space. (Typically 205 MB's.)
• Graphics: A higher-resolution monitor or VGA (Video Graphics Adapter graphics card).
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
• Microsoft Mouse or a compatible pointing device.

Based on the configuration information you've provided, you're going to need more RAM to run Windows 98. Hopefully your CPU's processor speed is at least 66 megahertz (MHz). If not, Windows 98 will stop the installation process dead in its tracks. You can install Windows 95 on a machine with a slower processor, like a 486/33 MHz, but the speed can be painfully slow. More RAM is usually the least expensive way to increase performance.

While it's unlikely, your Zeos machine might have some hardware incompatibilities. Microsoft has a compatility list for hardware components.

You Can Take It With You

Will your programs transfer? Almost all of them should, with a few exceptions. Disk utilities, dialer programs and other low-level, 16-bit applications might be incompatible with the newer 32-bit versions that are bundled with Windows 98. See this past column for help with older Web browsers.

Finally, with the ridiculous acceleration in computing power, you might be able to get a used, midline Pentium (100 to 200 MHz) system for a few hundred dollars. If the system already has Window98 and more than 24 megabytes of memory, I'd consider it a better investment than upgrading your old system.