Page 1 of dvdr backup on win 98

I know I`m a bit dated in my o/s (Win 98se) and most forum posts that I`ve read reccommend upgrading to win xp to get round the 4gb size limit when backing up my dvdrs. (FAT problem)
I`m more than willing to do this , however, I`ve a couple of questions I`m hoping someone can answer first.

I`m awaiting arrival of a 120Gb external hard drive as my internal is too small to hold many films.

1. Will I be able to install xp on my external drive and keep my 98 on my C: HD.?

2. Or, is it easy to install xp on my current HD and keep my existing software without having to format and reinstall everything?

3. Or is there a way to get around losing the end of my films using dvd decrypter and win98.

4. Are external HDrives any good?

I hope you will appreciate that my pc knowledge is limited. (Basically, I know how to use the programs I have and that`s about it. That`s why I`ve opted for an external HD as I wouldn`t have a clue how to change my internal one.)
I have trouble understanding techie jargon (So easy explanations would be greatly appreciated.)

Barrett

(Lost in a technological revolution)

Hi

Just an idea:
When u get your 120Gb HD, why dont you just leave your current OS as it is and get a-hold of the actual programs you need for ripping, trancoding and burning a dvd-r. As you may or may not know- dvd-r discs are 4.7G and movies tend to be more than this this.
Use dvddecryptor to rip the movie files onto your 120Gb HD.
>>When opening up dvddecryptor, select the Destination directory as your external drive.
Then use dvd2one (available from peer to peer) to transcode the movie so it an actually fit onto a dvd-r.
Then fire up nero and burn.
Check out www.vcdhelp.com for more guides on how to use dvddecryptor and dvd2one software.

Regards

Nav

Thanks Nav,

For some crazy obscure reason, Mr Visa has just been on the phone and offered me another 1000 quid to expand my spending by. I have decided to cancel my order for my external drive which was 260 pound and replace my full base unit. This is going to be my new spec. Let me know what people think.
XP 2200 CPU
512 DDR
120 Gb Hard Drive
Geoforce 64mb graphics
52x CDR
My current DVDRW (Pioneer 105)
Something called Gigabyte 7DXE Motherboard? (I`ve never heard of these, any reports?)
Windows XP Pro installed as NTFS
I thinks that`s about it, but I`ve probably forgot some things.
I`m paying 470 for the full system built and set up. Is this a good price?

God;;; Far too much technology jargon for my liking, so far gone are the days when all I wanted was multi region hacks;;;;; (Exclamation mark key is broke)

For 470 I think you got yourself a good price provided the guys you get them from are reputable. My system is just under a year old and I paid nearly double for that spec from Mesh with a free 3 yr onsite warrenty.
Here`s the link to the guide you`ll be needing:

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/userguides/141024.php

like I said dvd2one you can get from any good peer to peer service.
Hope the new system goes well
Have a good one
Nav

Great cheers Nav.

Ok got my new pc, quite impressed. but I`m still getting some problems with my dvd decrypter program.
On certain discs, when reading the iso and putting onto my hard drive, it crashes around the 94 - 98% mark. The dvds I`m reading from are dvd5, and when played through themselves have no problems, so it should be a simple case of reading straight through and it is, for some, but not for others.
Has anyone else got this problem?
or does anyone know of a solution or other `idiot-proof` software I could try.

Hopefully one day I will be able to post solutions.

Barrett