Updating to W2K

[Guest]

I was recently given a PC running W98 which I decided to update using an copy
of W2K that had been replaced with a new copy of XP. I was expecting the
install to identify the existing OS and update it retaining all existing
programs and settings - Instead it created a whole new OS, with now has a
dual boot when system is run up, and cannot see any of the loaded
applications. How can I, firstly remove the new W2K OS and secondly update
the W98 system without losing my broadband internet link and all existing
programs.

Grateful for all help in clearing what is my Sc**_up
Ken Graham

 

[Bill Baka]

I was recently given a PC running W98 which I decided to update using an copy
of W2K that had been replaced with a new copy of XP. I was expecting the
install to identify the existing OS and update it retaining all existing
programs and settings - Instead it created a whole new OS, with now has a
dual boot when system is run up, and cannot see any of the loaded
applications. How can I, firstly remove the new W2K OS and secondly update
the W98 system without losing my broadband internet link and all existing
programs.

Grateful for all help in clearing what is my Sc**_up
Ken Graham

If you have a second hard drive large enough to store all your data you
might just want to move it to the other drive and do a complete install
and overwrite or reformat with NTFS. Then after re-installing (sorry,
the registry wants it done) you can read all your needed data into the
correct folders. A bit bothersome, but it can be done that way. Some
gurus may have a better way but I just like to get it over with.
Bill Baka

 

[George Hester]

Not sure why you are talking about Windows XP? Is that the op sys that is installed in the system? If so
you'll need to reinstall afresh. You cannot downgrade Windows XP to any op sys.

 

[Guest]

Sorry if I confused talking about XP - rebuilt my main machine with XP and so
had a W2K licence doing nothing which I why I decided to upgrade the W98
machine

 

[Bill Baka]

Sorry if I confused talking about XP - rebuilt my main machine with XP and so
had a W2K licence doing nothing which I why I decided to upgrade the W98
machine

:

Ah, I had a bummer experience along those lines. My daughter has/had a
computer with windows ME installed but no disk. It was a present from
her biological father and no manual of install disk came with it. Her
son, 17 at the time decided he was going to learn about computers my
messing with it himself, defragging every day and playing with the BIOS
tweaks and such. Needless to say he killed it rather thoroughly, and all
I could do was to try to repair it by upgrading it, sort of a lateral
rather than an upgrade. My disk is Win 2K Pro for my work stuff. Then we
get a really good deal on an XP disk and I am thinking that this will
keep them happy for games and internet stuff since the now 18 year old
geek wannabe is moved out on his own. No can do. Microsoft says you
cannot 'upgrade' from a W2K Pro installation to an XP home. WTF is the
deal with Microsoft these days? I have a legal disk, now past the return
date, and can't use it unless I buy an ME (home?) disk or a 98 disk and
install it on her computer. I am just about ready to teach her how to
use the 2K Pro and give her my old copy of Office 97 since I am sick of
sending money to Gates, Inc. because of bad software.

I KNOW XP is not an upgrade compared to W2K but the interface is more
like what she wants, play and not think. Me, I am stuck since I live
right next door and can't conveniently be not home.
Anybody got any ideas? It's kind of a slanted view of upgrades but it is
the only choice I seem to have.
Bill Baka

 

[George Hester]

Let's see if I can kill two birds with one stone.

So you cannot upgrade Windows 2000 Prof to Windows XP Home.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/292607

The reason why is because Windows 2000 can be a IIS 5 web server whereas Windows XP Home cannot. So although
Windows 98 can be a IIS 4 web server you can upgrade that to Windows XP Home. You can also
upgrade Windows ME to Windows XP Home. Remember you do NOT have to install these lesser
versions. You can just take the Windows XP Home upgrade CD-ROM out of the drive when you get
nagged for the qualifying product; then after it is recognized put back in the Windows XP Home CD-ROM
and you're off to the races.

Now for the initial post. Here again I would start over. In my book it takes more time to get everything
back in order in a case like this then it takes to start over. Graham557 upgrading an op sys does not always
imply installed programs will continue to work especially Windows 98 to Windows 2000. I think you could
save a lot of frustration biting the bullet and installing afresh. Remember like I said above if yuou have an
upgrade version of Windows 2000 you do NOT have to install Windows 98 first. I know it is already
installed but I would wipe the drive and install Windows 2000 afresh.

There are methods of changing the mbr and changing the root and a whole bunch of work to achieve what
you want. So if you want to go that route sorry I'd have to be there.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316639

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;285480

 

[Guest]

George,

Thanks for the input!! I am not trying to upgrade to XP.

What I now have is a dual boot PC with both W98 and W2K on it.

The W98 has all my apps and internet functions and works fine. The W2k
works but has NO apps or DSL connections. The question I asked originally
was:-

'How can I remove the W2K OS and revert the PC to a single W98 system'

This will then allow me to revisit the upgrade scenerio with a clear plan
of attack.

Thnks

Ken ([email protected])

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I was recently given a PC running W98 which I decided to update using an copy
of W2K that had been replaced with a new copy of XP. I was expecting the
install to identify the existing OS and update it retaining all existing
programs and settings - Instead it created a whole new OS, with now has a
dual boot when system is run up, and cannot see any of the loaded
applications. How can I, firstly remove the new W2K OS and secondly update
the W98 system without losing my broadband internet link and all existing
programs.

Grateful for all help in clearing what is my Sc**_up
Ken Graham

Because you say you were not offered the option to upgrade the Win98
installation, I'd have to conclude that you're using an OEM Win2K
installation CD. If so, this raises a couple of issues, one technical,
and one legal.

1) An OEM CD *cannot* be used to perform an upgrade of an earlier OS,
as it was designed to be installed _only_ upon an empty hard drive. It
can still be used to perform a repair installation (a.k.a. an in-place
upgrade) of an existing Win2K installation.

2) OEM versions must be sold with a piece of non-peripheral hardware
(normally a motherboard or hard drive, if not an entire PC, although
Microsoft has greatly relaxed the hardware criteria for the newer WinXP)
and are _permanently_ bound to the first PC on which they are installed.
An OEM license, once installed, is *not* legally transferable to
another computer under any circumstances. This is the main reason some
people avoid OEM versions; if the PC dies or is otherwise disposed of
(even stolen), you *cannot* re-use your OEM license on a new PC.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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

 

[Guest]

Hi Bruce, Thank you I can confirm that the original machine that the CD came
with was in fact upgraded to XP, using an original product, when the HDD
failed which is why I was trying to use the W2K cd to upgrade the W98
machine. Unfortunately this still does not answer my original question!!

How can I remove the copy of W2K so as to leave the PC with just the
original W98 OS. Can I delete the /WINNT directory into which the files
where installed - just leaving the W98 /Windows directory or is there an
'Uninstall' that I can run?

Thanks once again
Ken Graham

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Hi Bruce, Thank you I can confirm that the original machine that the CD came
with was in fact upgraded to XP, using an original product, when the HDD
failed which is why I was trying to use the W2K cd to upgrade the W98
machine. Unfortunately this still does not answer my original question!!

How can I remove the copy of W2K so as to leave the PC with just the
original W98 OS. Can I delete the /WINNT directory into which the files
where installed - just leaving the W98 /Windows directory or is there an
'Uninstall' that I can run?

Normally, assuming Win9x is installed to the C: drive, you'd just
have to boot from your Win98/Me startup diskette, type "SYS C:." Then
delete C:\NTLDR, C:\NTDETECT.COM, C:\BOOT.INI, C:\BOOTSEC.DOS, and
C:\PAGEFILE.SYS. Delete or reformat the Win2K directory/partition, as
applicable. Remove the startup diskette and reboot.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



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