Question for Rob or other technical genius...

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

I've bought an Ipod, but being something of a novice when it comes to computer technical stuff, I tried to load up the software and was told I need Windows 2000 (SP4) or Windows XP.

 

I have Windows 98 at home.

 

Is it easy/cheap-ish to upgrade from 98 to 2000, and how would I go about doing so??

 

P.S. CANV - yes, I know - I'm from St Albans - just buy a new PC... but in the meantime!!...

 

 

[JKiF]

 

iPod mini?

 

welcome back...

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

20gb - £299.

 

Bloke in the shop told me 15,000 songs - turns out only 5,000. Will do for now.

 

 

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

That will be my next major investment - what shop did you get it from?

Was finding it hard to find one!

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Got it from Dixons - first place I went to.

 

Bit concerned about having to upgrade my PC though - I don't have a clue about these things.

 

 

[EFM's Librarian]

Zeal - have a look here http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/matrix.asp

 

although I'm not convinced it'll be a massive help. You're problem may be exacerbated by the fact that you probably have a pretty slow computer, and may have difficulties running windows 2000 or XP off it without paying out more for hardware upgrades.

 

What about the works computer?

 

I actually think you might end up being better off buying a whole new computer. I'm sure you could get hold of something decent for under £500

 

There are detailed instructions of exactly what you'd need to do here but it talks about a windows 2k upgrade disc, and doesn't tell you where to get hold of one <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

hmm, more research seems to suggest that this might be the thing you want, but £125 does seem a bit pricey <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Hmmm.

 

What I don't get is that my PC at home has Microsoft Office 2000 all installed, and isn't a slow computer, but is only Windows 98.

 

I bought it in Summer 2000, so it's not that old.

 

I just need to update it somehow.

 

Cheers for the links - I'll have a butchers, but it'll undoubtably all be in double dutch.

 

Otherwise, looks like I may have to return my new toy. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Cheers Libro - £125 is pricey, but certainly cheaper than a new PC!

 

 

[Webbo MFI]

Zeal

 

I got an update disk from Currys down the bottom of Hollywell Hill - think it cost about £75

 

I was on Me but now XP - all works fine

[JKiF]

it needs this to run

PCs

PC with FireWire or USB 2.0 port, or FireWire or USB 2.0 card;

 

Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 or Windows XP Home or Professional

 

try http://www.apple.com/ipod/specs.html

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Windows XP Home Edition Upgrade

 

Would this be any good, I wonder?

 

My Ipod needs either Windows 2000 (SP4) or Windows XP Home or Professional.

 

This would seem to be right.

 

Extremely daft question probably, but if I install this, it won't wipe my hard-drive, will it??

 

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Cheers JK - I have my users guide with me and that all agrees.

 

Just don't really understand all this XP stuff.

 

I have the USB port so no probs there.

 

Webbo - cheers, may try that. Would sound like the same thing as my link.

 

Not sure - would my PC at home be ME now? All I know is that it's Windows 98??

 

 

[SteveP]

CZ, Interestingly I just got myself a Creative Zen Jukebox, if you still have a receipt for the ipod have a look at one of these.

 

For £270 I got a 40gb jukebox and it can take Windows Media Files, which I reckon are better than MP3 files. The only problem with Ipod is that it won't take these type of files. It looks really nice though!

 

The other plus is you can run it on Windows 98, so you don't have to upgrade the software.

 

Take a look:

 

http://uk.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?prod=494&page=3

[EFM's Librarian]

As to the last bit, no it wouldn't be ME - ME stands for Millenium edition - it was the edition inbetween (?) 2000 and XP - I think?

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

Looks good.

 

How many songs can it hold?

 

How does it transfer to Windows Media Files? In a similar way that it does to MP3's??

 

I can't see any reference there to 40gb. Just 30MB?? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

 

 

[Webbo MFI]

You would be better upgrading your home PC to XP Home edition not 2000

 

Right click on "My Computer" then goto "Properties" to see the specs.

 

The upgrade requires a PC with 300Mhz processor or higher

128 MB of Ram minimum

1.5GB of Hard Drive

 

Depending on how old your PC is you may need to get a bit more RAM - cheap as chips!

[Rob_the_Saint]

Without going into too much detail, your PC may not be compatible with Windows XP. You can download a program to check your hardware and software but it is 50 MB which will take ages over a modem.

 

Your disk won't be erased, but most of the software and possibly the hardware (scanner, printer, etc) may not work under Windows XP. If you are thinking of changing the PC in a year or so anyway I would install Windows 2000 SP4. If you're not sure about this, the shop by the station on Victoria Street is pretty good and should give you some good advice.

[SteveP]

Right I paid a bit more and got the 40 gig version as it was the only thing Dixons had and it cost me £275. I have put on 5 gigs worth of high quality recordings which is about 1300 songs. So on that basis just over 10,000 tracks for the 40 gig and about 7800 tracks for the 30 gig.

 

Windows Media Files are saved under their own format, like MP3s are. If you already have MP3s saved on your PC, there's no point converting them. If you use a windows media player then it will automatically save your music as a windows media file. You can download a upgrade for your PC so it runs Mediaplayer version 9, free of charge.

 

Have you any MP3's stored at home already?

 

[YB941 5thD EFM ~soul~]

SteveP - only a handful.

 

Rob - the PC is less than 4 years old - no intention of replacing it really. Windows 2004 (SP4) would be good for the Ipod. Won't be able to download as I'm not on the net at home.

 

 

[Laz]

You may find some nutter has written Ipod drivers for 98. Have a look round the net.