Summary

22 IT Essentials: PC Harware and Software Companion GuideHardware products are continually coming on the market. The new design of the productsoften requires that the latest operating system be installed to operate correctly. While thismight be expensive, you gain advanced functionality through new features and support fornewer hardware.A Windows XP upgrade can be performed from a CD or over a network. You should ensurethat the new operating system is compatible with the computer. Microsoft provides a utilitycalled the Upgrade Advisor, as shown in Figure 12-14, to scan the system for incompatibilityissues before upgrading to newer Windows operating systems. You can download theUpgrade Advisor from the Microsoft Windows website free of charge. After the UpgradeAdvisor is finished, a report is produced to inform you of any problems. Incompatibility inhardware is the most common reason for failure in the upgrade process.Figure 12-14 Windows Upgrade AdvisorNot all older Windows operating systems are upgradeable to the newer versions, asdescribed in the following list:■■■Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, and Windows Me can be upgraded to Windows XPHome or Windows XP Professional.Windows NT workstation 4.0 with Service Pack 6 and Windows 2000 Professional canbe upgraded only to Windows XP Professional.Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 cannot be upgraded to Windows XP.NoteRemember to back up all data prior to beginning the upgrade.