Starting windows 2000 problems.

[plbrown]

I've got an old pc and have had to reinstall everything after a virus
wiped everything. I didn't install windows 2000 the first time so it's
new to me. After loading windows 2000 the first thing i did after
loading the internet was to upgrade to SP4 (without going through SP2
and SP3)

I'm having problems as there are various files/setting missing (VGA
files, windows doesn't update properly etc). Is this a result of how I
installed 2000? Should I have installed SP2, then SP3 and then SP4. Why
didn't I automatically get the files that allow auto updates (see my
other message - I've tried to download the file, but it doesn't work).
Are there other windows programs (DirectX, ActiveX that I should have
installed?)

Basically, once I've put windows 2000 on to a blank PC what else should
I do (aside from loading regular software) to ensure the smooth running
of windows? It all seems very "bitty" the way that windows is
progressing.

Would appreciate your help.

Peter

 

[John John]

Generally I install in this kind order:

1- Install Windows 2000
2- Install Chipset/Motherboard driver(s). The Chipset driver should
always be the first driver to install, it affetcts how all other
software and drivers might behave when installed and configured.
3- Install Video Drivers
4- Install other hardware drivers
5- Install Service Pack 4 ***
6- Install Windows 2000 Update Rollup 1 for Service Pack 4 ***
7- Install Internet Explorer 6 SP1 ***
8- Install a firewall !*!

*** Items 5,6, & 7 have downloaded and burned to cd prior to doing the
installation.

!*! A Firewall is critically important for proper protection of Windows
2000. Firewall can be hardware type as provided by most routers or
software type. Having both is good parctice. At the very least you
should have a properly configured software firewall. Download and burn
this item to cd before you begin.

DO NOT connect the unpatched computer to the internet without a properly
configured firewall! As installed Windows 2000 is EXTREMELY vulnerable
to worms and virus if not properly protected. As Explained above, these
are what I would consider as bare minimum on a new Windows 2000
installation:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp4/default.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/evaluation/news/bulletins/rollup.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/downloads/critical/ie6sp1/default.mspx

John

 

[plbrown]

Dear John

thanks for the advice. I must admit that I didn't install a firewall
for a few days and the pc is riddled with viruses, spyware etc. Am
sweeping the pc on a regular basis with various programs to eliminate
them. I have a feeling that some of these are also stopping the
installation of such basic things like the printer!!

To be honest I might format the hard drive and start again and install
a firewall straight away. Correct me if I'm wrong but this should also
wipe any viruses (right?)

Cheers
Peter

 

[John John]

Yes, formating and installing cleanly will get rid of the nasties. If
this is a brand new installation without much "tweaking" work done to it
I think it would be the best course of action. You ABSOLUTELY need a
firewall PLUS the Security Rollup Package. Also, DISCONNECT the
Internet connection until the installation is patched. This isn't
important for Dial-Up connections but for broadband and other "always
on" high speed connections you might get worms before you even log on to
the internet! It can takes mere seconds for an unpatched Windows 2000
computer to be infected.

John

 

[plbrown]

So after formatting:

1) Reinstall Windows 2000
2) Install firewall without connecting to internet (via dialup or
broadband)
3) Install anti-virus
4) Only then connect to internet to upgrade to SP4 and then presumably
SP4 Security Rollup Package
5) PC should be safe enough to install rest of software (Office etc)

Can you please conform?

Peter

 

[John John]

No. Reread the post. BEFORE you connect to the internet install SP4
and the Windows 2000 Update Rollup 1 for Service Pack 4. These 2 items
are more important than any anti-virus package that you might install!
AV software does not correct the security holes/flaws corrected by these
items. Download these large items from another (patched) computer, burn
them to cd and have them available for installation when you cleanly
install Windows 2000. Also install the firewall BEFORE you connect to
the internet.

John

 

[plbrown]

Excuse the ignorance, but how do I install SP4 and the Update Rollup
before I connect to the Internet? Can these be saved onto CD and then
installed offline. I remember downloading a small installation program
and this then downloaded the main program. Do I download the main
program to the hard drive, save it to CD and then use this CD when the
PC is restared. And the same for Update Rollup??

Peter

 

[plbrown]

To answer my own question, looks like I've just found both and am
downloading them both. SP4 is about 130mb and rollup about 32mb. I
should copy both to CD so that when I reinstall windows 2000, these are
the first two things that I install without going online?

Peter

 

[John John]

That's correct, burn (copy) them to a cd and keep the cd for future use,
in case you have to reinstall Windows 2000. You DON'T want to be going
on the internet without these things installed first! Also install your
firewall for extra added security.

John

PS. The links were in my first post!

 

[plbrown]

Just a thanks to everybody who helped. The system is up and running and
working fine

Peter

 

[John John]

You're welcome.

John

Just a thanks to everybody who helped. The system is up and running and
working fine

Peter

John John wrote: