Can you install the Windows Vista ultimate upgrade from windows 98?

Answer 1

Let's first define a "Vista computer." Most computers are theoretically capable of running different operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, or FreeBSD. So there really isn't a "Vista computer", or a "Linux computer."

A "Vista-ready" computer must have:

* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor * 512 MB of system memory * 20 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space * Support for DirectX 9 graphics and 32 MB of graphics memory * DVD-ROM drive * Audio Output These requirements more than exceed those needed for Windows 98. However, there are very real technical problems that may make this impossible. Windows 98 has great difficulty handling more than 512 MB of RAM. You will receive odd errors like "Out of memory." Booting Windows 98 on more than 1 GB of RAM may not even be possible without editing configuration files manually.

Also, there is the problem with drivers. Most new hardware doesn't have Windows 98 drivers available. Your video card, SATA controllers, wireless (if in a laptop), and probably your sound, will simply not work. You would probably have to force your SATA controller into legacy mode to even install Windows 98. There may be network card drivers available, depending on the manufacturer.

In summary, while technically possible, it wouldn't work very well, and you would receive no real benefit from it.

Answer 2

No. Upgrades are only supported from Windows XP. You would need to do a clean install to upgrade from 98, ME, or 2000.