I'm contemplating updating Win98SE OS to Win XP as from all I have read FS9 seems to like WIN XP best in terms of performance. That and I'd like to take advantage of some of the performance tweaks I've been reading about recently like compressing the entire FS9 folder after installation and converting to the NTSF file system. The problem is, I've read so much negative press about potential problems like having to reinstall OFFICE and OUTLOOK, etc, that even having purchased WIN XP Home already, I'm still reluctant to install it. Anyone have any advice / warnings / cautions they can share with me or should I just take the plunge and upgrade? Thanks in advance for your getting back to me on this.http://southwest.corpmerchandise.com/image...l/200015138.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

If you upgrade, you shouldn't have to reinstall.But I always advocate doing a clean install and re-installing all your apps.I have been using XP since day 1 and have been perfectly happy with it.http://saltydogfly2.avsim.net/images/avsim_sig.jpg"Ah, the Luftwaffe - the Washington Generals of the History Channel." - Homer Simpson

Thanks Ken. I don't have the time or patience for complete reinstallation of all my apps, though I understand the logic behind it. I keep a clean system, so as lond as WIN XP recognizes most of my apps, like DSL and Flight simulator, I'll be happy!http://southwest.corpmerchandise.com/image...l/200015138.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

I been using XP since it came out. It makes a good gaming OS, and it looks way better than Windows 9x and 2k LOL. If your wondering if XP can run on your computer, trust me it will :-lol. If a PII 233MHz system can run it, yours can too :-lol.While you do have to reinstall everything, dont take it as a negative point. I have done clean installs many times and I am pretty skilled at it now LOL. If you have a burner, burn a CD-RW with drivers for your video card, your soundcard (if its new), and any other devices (like cameras, joysticks, scanners, etc.). I find that easier because I can install them really fast as I need it. Just keep in mind when you take the plunge, PATCH IT ASAP! Since I am the family computer guy, I had to fix many comps because of that nasty Blaster worm (and other worms and viruses also).Hope this helps,

Zack:Thanks for the encouragement. Your rig is similar to mine. Are you flying FS9? If so, how does it run on your system? Also, I have a large hard drive. Is it possible to install XP in a seperate partition from Win98? That would make file transfer a bit easier, and then perhaps I could uninstall 98? Just a thought.http://southwest.corpmerchandise.com/image...l/200015138.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

FS9 runs great on my computer. I think it runs a bit better than FS2002, although the 3d clouds and the AI make fps drop like a brick. FPS is usually in the lower 20's with most sliders maxed.If you can create a new partition, by all means do it LOL. XP can install in any partition, and you can boot to either OS easily. But 98 cant see NTFS partitions, so you have to move everything from XP. You can always dump 98 easy later on by modifying XP's boot.ini and deleting the 98 partition.

Zack:Thats very encouraging. Have you tried that NTFS compression trick mentioned in recent threads?http://southwest.corpmerchandise.com/image...l/200015138.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

Not yet, but I tried it in Freelancer and it seemed to help performance a bit, but not by leaps and bounds though.

If you go for the dual boot option (Win98/XP) you don't have to use NTFS.During the XP install you're given the choice of FAT32 or NTFS.If you go with FAT32 a lot of things will work straight from the XP partition as both OS are visible to each other.However NTFS is probably the better choice even if you do have to reinstall all applicationDave

I had 2 HDs, one small 6G now has the Win98se on it. (Drive C:)Dirves D:E:F:These three had already been formatted as FAT32 under Win98se, and remained so while I only had to re-format E: where the Win XP OS now resides. And I re-formatted it as FAT32 again. Later I re-formated the D: as NTFS for my FS9 re-installation, and use the thrird as storage/downloads. still under FAT32. I can read files from one drive to another while in Win XP, but Win98se cannot even see the existence of D: which is BTSF but can see and can use the other paretitions in FAT32.Everything works as expected. The only thing I dont like is that Netscape7.1 does not work well in Win Xp for some odd reason, I use it under Win98se boot.

Yup. You will not be able to access - or see anything of an NTFS drive when booting from a Windows FAT system; NTFS can see FAT but not vice-versa.But - XP is the best OS MS has come out with thus far. (Finally!)pj

I have NTFS compression -- I see no performance difference... (except the game takes up only about 1/2 as much space!) Cpudan80 :) :+

Alex - Using XP will be a big plus. I've installed/upgraded many systems from W98SE to XP both Pro and Home.I recommend doing a CLEAN install not an inplace upgrade. The upgrade *probably* will go without a hitch but I've never had a problem wit a clean install and I *have* had troubles with inplace upgrades.It may be a pain to reinstall all the apps BUT it is definitely worth it.hth,Vic

You guys are great! Thank you all for the sage and friendly advice. http://southwest.corpmerchandise.com/image...l/200015138.gifAlex ChristoffN562ZBaltimore, MD

Alex,As reported in a previous thread last week, out of curiosity a friend and I did exhaustive tests on FS2004 as between Win98 (original) and WinXP Home with SP1. This was done on the same PC but with the OS's on similar hard drives. The results show that there is no difference whatsoever - the performance of FS2004 is exactly the same on both OS. In fact, Win98 gave very, very, slightly higher frame rates but nothing really worth talking about.I would add though that this is a dedicated FS PC - absolutely nothing else on it to cause trouble so BSODS or lockups etc., don't occur.P