I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.

Had I known, I wouldn't have.

I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I used on a previous
laptop.

After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to be told that "this is
an older version of windows, so all install options have been disabled". It
refused to let me install over XP.

Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I have to do a fresh
install after format?

Thanks for any insight

Brett Anderson

Hi Brett,

Fresh install after format is the only way. This isn't an upgrade, it's a
downgrade.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:OV$(E-Mail Removed)...
> I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.
>
> Had I known, I wouldn't have.
>
> I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I used on a previous
> laptop.
>
> After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to be told that "this is
> an older version of windows, so all install options have been disabled".
It
> refused to let me install over XP.
>
> Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I have to do a fresh
> install after format?
>
> Thanks for any insight
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>
>

Greetings --

There is no "rollback" to Win2K.

To replace WinXP with an earlier OS, you'll have to boot from the
appropriate boot disk, format the hard drive, and install. There is
no supported downgrade path or technique.

Simply boot from the Win2K installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and/or format the system partition as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:OV$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.
>
> Had I known, I wouldn't have.
>
> I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I used on a
> previous
> laptop.
>
> After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to be told that
> "this is
> an older version of windows, so all install options have been
> disabled". It
> refused to let me install over XP.
>
> Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I have to do a
> fresh
> install after format?
>
> Thanks for any insight
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>
>

Thanks for the info.

Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I have to disagree on
the downgrade part.

Can't get IIS working. Can't get FPSE working. Can't get the mouse drivers
to work correctly. Constantly crashing. Constantly shutting down the
computer without prompting.

All with an untouched OEM install.

Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per week in lost sales
due to it's refusal to follow instructions. Time to cut my losses and go to
a proven stable OS. It's either Win2K or Unix. Yeah, I know Unix is 10,000
times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve will be too
expensive.


Thanks

Brett Anderson


"Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Hi Brett,
>
> Fresh install after format is the only way. This isn't an upgrade, it's a
> downgrade.
>
> --
> Best of Luck,
>
> Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
> Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org
>
> "KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:OV$(E-Mail Removed)...
> > I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.
> >
> > Had I known, I wouldn't have.
> >
> > I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I used on a previous
> > laptop.
> >
> > After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to be told that "this
is
> > an older version of windows, so all install options have been disabled".
> It
> > refused to let me install over XP.
> >
> > Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I have to do a fresh
> > install after format?
> >
> > Thanks for any insight
> >
> > Brett Anderson
> >
> >
> >
>
>

You obviously have hardware/firmware issues, I've been
running XP Pro on a computer I built myself (my first) a
year and a half ago. I have never had a BSOD, my system is
....
Intel D845GBVL mobo, Celeron 1.7 GHz, 2- 256 MB PNY (cheap
RAM), a cheap CD-RW and a 1.44 Mitsumi floppy. I use a MS
Trackball Optical (USB) and a MS Multimedia kybd (PS/2).
I have added a V.92 cheap modem and a PCI Firewire card.
I just use the on-board sound and video for now. I have AGP
and 4 open PCI slots.
Works great.

When I can, I'll upgrade to a 2.6 P4 on the same mobo. But
now, I don't need it to surf and write letters.


"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
| Thanks for the info.
|
| Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I
have to disagree on
| the downgrade part.
|
| Can't get IIS working. Can't get FPSE working. Can't get
the mouse drivers
| to work correctly. Constantly crashing. Constantly
shutting down the
| computer without prompting.
|
| All with an untouched OEM install.
|
| Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per
week in lost sales
| due to it's refusal to follow instructions. Time to cut
my losses and go to
| a proven stable OS. It's either Win2K or Unix. Yeah, I
know Unix is 10,000
| times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve
will be too
| expensive.
|
|
| Thanks
|
| Brett Anderson
|
|
| "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
| news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
| > Hi Brett,
| >
| > Fresh install after format is the only way. This isn't
an upgrade, it's a
| > downgrade.
| >
| > --
| > Best of Luck,
| >
| > Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
| > Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
| > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
| > Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
| > www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
| > Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org
| >
| > "KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote
in message
| > news:OV$(E-Mail Removed)...
| > > I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.
| > >
| > > Had I known, I wouldn't have.
| > >
| > > I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I
used on a previous
| > > laptop.
| > >
| > > After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to
be told that "this
| is
| > > an older version of windows, so all install options
have been disabled".
| > It
| > > refused to let me install over XP.
| > >
| > > Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I
have to do a fresh
| > > install after format?
| > >
| > > Thanks for any insight
| > >
| > > Brett Anderson
| > >
| > >
| > >
| >
| >
|
|

Greetings --

If you're having so much trouble with a brand new OEM
installation, you really should contact the PC's manufacturer for some
warranty support. And Win2K is just as likely to be as vulnerable to
whatever underlying hardware problems are causing your current
troubles. (Not to mention the fact that changing the OS on an OEM
machine often voids the warranty.)

Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks for the info.
>
> Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I have to
> disagree on
> the downgrade part.
>
> Can't get IIS working. Can't get FPSE working. Can't get the mouse
> drivers
> to work correctly. Constantly crashing. Constantly shutting down
> the
> computer without prompting.
>
> All with an untouched OEM install.
>
> Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per week in lost
> sales
> due to it's refusal to follow instructions. Time to cut my losses
> and go to
> a proven stable OS. It's either Win2K or Unix. Yeah, I know Unix
> is 10,000
> times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve will be
> too
> expensive.
>
>
> Thanks
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>

Warranty?!?!?!?! HAH!

It's an IBM.

What a friggin joke. IBM laptop warranty is voided if you buy the machine.
Leave it on the store shelf, it's got a good warranty. Buy it, warranty
voided. Common response from IBM warranty reps, "F*CK YOU"

Machine is an IBM R40 laptop. IBM has told me there is NO warranty on
software issues if I *dare* to load something they didn't supply (which is
anything useful).

IBM tech support said I have a virus(in regards to machine shutting off,
hard restart, for no reason). They couldn't name the virus, or tell me
anything else about it, but it *obviously wasn't a problem with *their*
machine, or this garbage called XP.

Oh, and their "software" warranty, on OEM installed software, runs out after
30 days. Nice! 35 days into ownership, the mouse driver decided to ignore
all settings. No help from IBM. I used to live in NY, and pitied the
thousands of unemployed EX IBM employees. By now, I'd be glad to see the
currently employed IBM employees rotting in hell beside them. LONG LIVE
JAPAN!

I have added no hardware to the machine. I've loaded all *FULL*, *LEGAL*
versions of software that was not preloaded, and I've had nothing but
headaches.

That rules out hardware problems (that I also never experienced with the
superior OS), so it appears I'm left with the tedious task of doing a clean
install of a useable OS, along with reloading and recovering all the
applicable software and user files.

Oh well. The penalty we pay for using MS products........

Oh, and before all the MS reps on this group hop in with their biased
positions, I've tried all the relevant MS Usenet groups with the problems
I've had, and not gotten a single response. Implying, of course, that there
is no fix for the problems I have, other than a more reliable OS.

Comments?

Brett Anderson




"Bruce Chambers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Greetings --
>
> If you're having so much trouble with a brand new OEM
> installation, you really should contact the PC's manufacturer for some
> warranty support. And Win2K is just as likely to be as vulnerable to
> whatever underlying hardware problems are causing your current
> troubles. (Not to mention the fact that changing the OS on an OEM
> machine often voids the warranty.)
>
> Bruce Chambers
> --
> Help us help you:
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
> You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> having both at once. -- RAH
>
> "KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks for the info.
> >
> > Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I have to
> > disagree on
> > the downgrade part.
> >
> > Can't get IIS working. Can't get FPSE working. Can't get the mouse
> > drivers
> > to work correctly. Constantly crashing. Constantly shutting down
> > the
> > computer without prompting.
> >
> > All with an untouched OEM install.
> >
> > Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per week in lost
> > sales
> > due to it's refusal to follow instructions. Time to cut my losses
> > and go to
> > a proven stable OS. It's either Win2K or Unix. Yeah, I know Unix
> > is 10,000
> > times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve will be
> > too
> > expensive.
> >
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Brett Anderson
> >
> >
>
>

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Warranty?!?!?!?! HAH!
>
> It's an IBM.
>
> What a friggin joke. IBM laptop warranty is voided if you buy the
machine.
> Leave it on the store shelf, it's got a good warranty. Buy it, warranty
> voided. Common response from IBM warranty reps, "F*CK YOU"
>
> Machine is an IBM R40 laptop. IBM has told me there is NO warranty on
> software issues if I *dare* to load something they didn't supply (which is
> anything useful).
>
> IBM tech support said I have a virus(in regards to machine shutting off,
> hard restart, for no reason). They couldn't name the virus, or tell me
> anything else about it, but it *obviously wasn't a problem with *their*
> machine, or this garbage called XP.
>
> Oh, and their "software" warranty, on OEM installed software, runs out
after
> 30 days. Nice! 35 days into ownership, the mouse driver decided to
ignore
> all settings. No help from IBM. I used to live in NY, and pitied the
> thousands of unemployed EX IBM employees. By now, I'd be glad to see the
> currently employed IBM employees rotting in hell beside them. LONG LIVE
> JAPAN!
>
> I have added no hardware to the machine. I've loaded all *FULL*, *LEGAL*
> versions of software that was not preloaded, and I've had nothing but
> headaches.
>
> That rules out hardware problems (that I also never experienced with the
> superior OS), so it appears I'm left with the tedious task of doing a
clean
> install of a useable OS, along with reloading and recovering all the
> applicable software and user files.
>
> Oh well. The penalty we pay for using MS products........
>
> Oh, and before all the MS reps on this group hop in with their biased
> positions, I've tried all the relevant MS Usenet groups with the problems
> I've had, and not gotten a single response. Implying, of course, that
there
> is no fix for the problems I have, other than a more reliable OS.
>
> Comments?
>
> Brett Anderson
>

IBM laptops can be a little idiosyncratic, but you made the choice to buy
IBM.. re. the software, pre-loaded OEM software never has the full backing
of Microsoft regardless of computer make.. MS supply the software for use on
IBM machines on the basis that IBM software support will give proper
support.. that they don't is an issue to be taken up with IBM.. MS XP works
well with the majority of systems.. again, IBM choose to make it more
difficult by being the most incompatible machines of all.. IBM engineers
know how to get around most problems because they come across them daily..
MS usenet groups are at a disadvantage in this respect, but one can't blame
them for the lack of knowledge re. IBM laptops.. IBM are to blame
ultimately, so quit from attacking MS.. presumably, you have some kind of
service contract for the machine.. organize for it to be taken into an IBM
Service center..

Brett,
1. "IBM tech support said I have a virus(in regards to machine shutting off,
hard restart, for no reason). They couldn't name the virus, or tell me
anything else about it, but it *obviously wasn't a problem with *their*
machine, or this garbage called XP."

The Virus, that the tech may have thought that you had was probably the W32.Blaster.Worm, or one of its variants. Its been around since the Summer 2003. The need to have a firewall installed on your PC or network is required these days, before you even think about connecting to the internet. XP has a built in firewall that needs to be enabled, unless you have installed a third-party firewall in the PC, or connect the PC to a network that has a firewall enabled.

Here is a some information about the virus:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.asp

2. "I have added no hardware to the machine. I've loaded all *FULL*, *LEGAL*
versions of software that was not preloaded, and I've had nothing but
headaches."

What you fail to state, is if the '*FULL*, *LEGAL* versions of software' is compatible with the OS on your laptop? Many people found after buying XP, or PC's w/XP, that many of their 'old' hardware, and software was not compatible with XP. So either they had to buy new hardware or newer versions of the software. If they were lucky, the hardware or software makers provided for download, updated drivers for their products to work w/XP. If not then they were forced to buy newer products, such as digital cameras, printers, scanners, etc....

Be aware that even if you need to get hardware warranty work done, the PC maker may require that you eliminate any software you added that was not included with the PC when it left factory. Before doing any work on it.

--

Add MS to your News Reader: news://msnews.microsoft.com
Rich/rerat

(RRR News) <message rule>
<<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>


"Bruce Chambers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
Greetings --

There is no "rollback" to Win2K.

To replace WinXP with an earlier OS, you'll have to boot from the
appropriate boot disk, format the hard drive, and install. There is
no supported downgrade path or technique.

Simply boot from the Win2K installation CD. You'll be offered the
opportunity to delete, create, and/or format the system partition as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the
order of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:OV$(E-Mail Removed)...
>I just bought a new computer with Win XP Pro on it.
>
> Had I known, I wouldn't have.
>
> I own a full version of Win2K Professional that I used on a
> previous
> laptop.
>
> After giving up on XP, I inserted the 2K CD, only to be told that
> "this is
> an older version of windows, so all install options have been
> disabled". It
> refused to let me install over XP.
>
> Is there a simple way to install 2K over XP, or do I have to do a
> fresh
> install after format?
>
> Thanks for any insight
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>
>

Hi Brett,

Understand that you are somewhat miffed, and perhaps deservedly so. However,
the problem here is not the operating system. Either the hardware is flawed,
or the software is not XP-compatible (you didn't mention the program(s) by
name, so it's hard to tell). If it's flawed hardware, as Bruce has stated,
switching to Win2000 isn't going to help, as it is just as sensitive to
defects. Also, you may find system functionality reduced by replacing the
preinstalled OS with an older one that may not support the hardware that is
in use.

As to the hard restarts, have you check the event logs for clues? Is there a
blue screen? Start/run eventvwr.msc and look at the system and application
logs. The other possibility, should nothing exist in the logs, is an
overheating problem. If this is the case, you likely will not see an error
message. The cure is to invoke the warranty, as overheating in a laptop is
difficult at best to resolve. Simply put things back the way you got them,
then call it in and ask for an RMA. Also, not having added any hardware to
the system does not rule out a hardware issue. I've seen plenty of units
have component failures out of the box.

By the way, I've found that the best way to deal with an unsupportive help
desk rep is to calmly ask for their supervisor. Be patient, and state
exactly what the issue is and why you believe that the initial rep is not
helpful. Being overt or demanding usually results in putting people in a
defensive mode and they will be less likely to try and help.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers aka "Nutcase" MS-MVP - Win9x
Windows isn't rocket science! That's my other hobby!
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Associate Expert - WinXP - Expert Zone
www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
Win98 Help - www.rickrogers.org

"KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Warranty?!?!?!?! HAH!
>
> It's an IBM.
>
> What a friggin joke. IBM laptop warranty is voided if you buy the
machine.
> Leave it on the store shelf, it's got a good warranty. Buy it, warranty
> voided. Common response from IBM warranty reps, "F*CK YOU"
>
> Machine is an IBM R40 laptop. IBM has told me there is NO warranty on
> software issues if I *dare* to load something they didn't supply (which is
> anything useful).
>
> IBM tech support said I have a virus(in regards to machine shutting off,
> hard restart, for no reason). They couldn't name the virus, or tell me
> anything else about it, but it *obviously wasn't a problem with *their*
> machine, or this garbage called XP.
>
> Oh, and their "software" warranty, on OEM installed software, runs out
after
> 30 days. Nice! 35 days into ownership, the mouse driver decided to
ignore
> all settings. No help from IBM. I used to live in NY, and pitied the
> thousands of unemployed EX IBM employees. By now, I'd be glad to see the
> currently employed IBM employees rotting in hell beside them. LONG LIVE
> JAPAN!
>
> I have added no hardware to the machine. I've loaded all *FULL*, *LEGAL*
> versions of software that was not preloaded, and I've had nothing but
> headaches.
>
> That rules out hardware problems (that I also never experienced with the
> superior OS), so it appears I'm left with the tedious task of doing a
clean
> install of a useable OS, along with reloading and recovering all the
> applicable software and user files.
>
> Oh well. The penalty we pay for using MS products........
>
> Oh, and before all the MS reps on this group hop in with their biased
> positions, I've tried all the relevant MS Usenet groups with the problems
> I've had, and not gotten a single response. Implying, of course, that
there
> is no fix for the problems I have, other than a more reliable OS.
>
> Comments?
>
> Brett Anderson
>
>
>
>
> "Bruce Chambers" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Greetings --
> >
> > If you're having so much trouble with a brand new OEM
> > installation, you really should contact the PC's manufacturer for some
> > warranty support. And Win2K is just as likely to be as vulnerable to
> > whatever underlying hardware problems are causing your current
> > troubles. (Not to mention the fact that changing the OS on an OEM
> > machine often voids the warranty.)
> >
> > Bruce Chambers
> > --
> > Help us help you:
> > http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
> >
> > You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
> > having both at once. -- RAH
> >
> > "KMS - Brett Anderson" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Thanks for the info.
> > >
> > > Given my experience with XP over the last 2.5 months, I have to
> > > disagree on
> > > the downgrade part.
> > >
> > > Can't get IIS working. Can't get FPSE working. Can't get the mouse
> > > drivers
> > > to work correctly. Constantly crashing. Constantly shutting down
> > > the
> > > computer without prompting.
> > >
> > > All with an untouched OEM install.
> > >
> > > Currently, XP is costing me between $500 and $1000 per week in lost
> > > sales
> > > due to it's refusal to follow instructions. Time to cut my losses
> > > and go to
> > > a proven stable OS. It's either Win2K or Unix. Yeah, I know Unix
> > > is 10,000
> > > times better, but I don't "know" it, so the learning curve will be
> > > too
> > > expensive.
> > >
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Brett Anderson
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>