Any problems using W2k UPGRADE vs Full Install CD to upgrade from W98?

[rondi]

I need to upgrade my Dell laptop from W98 to W2k because of a new
program which requires W98se or W2k.

i'm thinking of buying just the Upgrade cd, but i don't want any
problems after i install W2k.

What is my best choice?

thanks,
ron

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[Tim Rude]

*Best* choice is to backup all documents and files that matter to you (make
two copies, just in case), wipe the HD, and then install a clean copy of
Win2K. Then install any applications you use and finally copy back any
documents or other files.

This takes more work than simply doing an upgrade, but you'll typically wind
up with a much more stable computer without a crapload of old junk floating
around from the old OS. Obsolete registry entries, wrong-platform drivers,
and a bunch of other junk you don't want can result from trying to do an
upgrade.

Think of it like this - if you've had your Dell laptop for more than a year
or two, it's time to install a fresh copy of Windows anyway. Now's a great
opportunity to clean house.

 

[philo]

I need to upgrade my Dell laptop from W98 to W2k because of a new
program which requires W98se or W2k.

i'm thinking of buying just the Upgrade cd, but i don't want any
problems after i install W2k.

What is my best choice?

although win2k is a more stable OS than win98...
to upgrade win98 to win98se is likely to work without any problems...
but to upgrade win98 to win2k is more likely to cause trouble.

the easist route would be just to go with win98se...
but if you can backup you data and perform a clean install...
then go with win2k...or if your machine has enough ram...
all the way to XP

 

[Dan Seur]

rondi - as others point out, you'll wind up with a much more stable,
trouble-free W2k if you do a "clean install" instead of an upgrade on
top of the old W98 structures.

It seems that nobody pointed out that AN UPGRADE W2k CD WILL WORK for a
clean install AS LONG AS YOU HAVE THE ORIGINAL W98 CD.

The W2k install process, when it cannot find a valid prior Windows
system on trhe hard drive, will ask you to insert the old CD as proof of
ownership. Several earlier Win systems are valid for the upgrade to W2k,
and of course one of them is W98. But you gotta have that old CD!

 

[dc]

Rondi,

The clean install is the way to go, and you can do it with the upgrade
CD. While formatting and installing the new os, you will be asked to
insert the earlier operating system CD (Win98fe), so that it will verify
that you qualified to use the upgrade.

The most important thing is to be absolutely sure the that the hardware
you have is adequate to run the Win 200 environment. These days 256k DDR
RAM is barely enough with all the RAM hogs of the newest applications
and bells and whistles.

Might pay to run a couple of Google searches for adequate hardware for
Windows 2000.

good computing,
don


I need to upgrade my Dell laptop from W98 to W2k because of a new
program which requires W98se or W2k.

i'm thinking of buying just the Upgrade cd, but i don't want any
problems after i install W2k.

What is my best choice?

thanks,
ron

Please insert an E between the n & t, to reply via email.

 

[dc]

Win 2000
Rondi,

The clean install is the way to go, and you can do it with the upgrade
CD. While formatting and installing the new os, you will be asked to
insert the earlier operating system CD (Win98fe), so that it will verify
that you qualified to use the upgrade.

The most important thing is to be absolutely sure the that the hardware
you have is adequate to run the Win 200 environment. These days 256k DDR
RAM is barely enough with all the RAM hogs of the newest applications
and bells and whistles.

Might pay to run a couple of Google searches for adequate hardware for
Windows 2000.

good computing,
don


I need to upgrade my Dell laptop from W98 to W2k because of a new
program which requires W98se or W2k.

i'm thinking of buying just the Upgrade cd, but i don't want any
problems after i install W2k.

What is my best choice?

thanks,
ron

Please insert an E between the n & t, to reply via email.

 

[rondi]

Thanks guys for the help.

i have tried to buy MS W2k on ebay, but my gosh--every copy, either
upgrade or full version ( a lot without COA---so counterfeit) is
selling for over $70---some Buy Now is >$120. XP sells for about the
same price. is this a "Cult" os?? Even W98SE is Buy Now for more
than $70!

my Dell I7k has a P2 133mhz and 128mb of Ram, 6gb HDD. the P2 is just
too slow, even if i added more memory, for XP.

The Dell is built like a tank--lots of thick sheet metal--they don't
build em like this any more. But for the price of the software to
upgrade an old, obsolete putr---i don't know.

i'll have to ponder this some more...

thanks again,
ron








Please insert an E between the n & t, to reply via email.

 

[Tex Shalter]

I upgraded a computer (fresh install) from 98 to 2000 and found some of the
older hardware didn't work, and the whole system got slow. This was a P III
with 350 megs ram.

Although more stable, win2000 OS takes more resources.

 

[Dan Seur]

rondi - if that old machine will boot to a 32-bit OS, and if you can
borrow a W2k CD from a friend, then you can get some useful info if you run:
[CD:]\i386\winnt32.exe \checkupgradeonly

This invokes a built-in "system checker" that will report hardware and
application incompatibilities W2k finds on your machine, and often tells
you how to resolve them.

Although winnt32.exe is the W2k installer for use with a 32-bit OS
running, with the \checkupgradeonly parameter included as shown NO
INSTALL WILL OCCUR. The 16-bit installer (winnt.exe) does not hyave this
capability.