Will Windows 2000 suit a new machine?

[poachedeggs]

If I bought a modest tower PC for example made by an independent
builder, would I have any trouble installing Windows 2000 on it?
Would generic 2000-compatible drivers suit most of its innards? What
sort of problems might occur? I bought a refurbished Compaq which I'm
not sure it's going to hold out - problems dealt with in other ng's -
but I do like this efficient, simple bells and whistles-free OS.

Thanks.

 

[philo]

If I bought a modest tower PC for example made by an independent
builder, would I have any trouble installing Windows 2000 on it?
Would generic 2000-compatible drivers suit most of its innards? What
sort of problems might occur? I bought a refurbished Compaq which I'm
not sure it's going to hold out - problems dealt with in other ng's -
but I do like this efficient, simple bells and whistles-free OS.

Thanks.

Most of the machines that I refurbish are setup with Win2k.
(I am an authorized MS refurbisher and can re-license them)

Anyway the main thing is obtaining drivers...
and for *new* machines it may be difficult or impossible to find Win2k
drivers...
but for any machine that's a few years old...I doubt if it would be a
problem.

Typically when I do a fresh install, Win2k picks up most of the components.

The three areas where additional drivers might be needed are:

net cards (or modems)
sound cards
and video.

Not usually a problem with any older Compaq I've come across.

So far I have had few problems getting Win2k drivers for the devices...
and have found that if a Win2k driver is not available...an XP driver will
usually work.

NOTE: I do *not* recommend using anything but a Win2k driver
as if I run into a problem, I know how to get out of it...
but all I can say is if the machine has on-board video...do not try
to use an XP video driver.

Now, that said...if the machine has 256 - 512 megs of RAM or more
and a CPU that's at least 750 mhz (or so) you may want to consider XP.
It has a truly amazing driver base...and I rarely have to hunt-down
additional drivers.

Finally: Be sure to apply all updates and the latest service pack...
no matter which OS you go with.

 

[TestTurtle]

The three areas where additional drivers might be needed are:

net cards (or modems)
sound cards
and video.

Not usually a problem with any older Compaq I've come across.

So far I have had few problems getting Win2k drivers for the
devices... and have found that if a Win2k driver is not
available...an XP driver will usually work.

NOTE: I do *not* recommend using anything but a Win2k driver
as if I run into a problem, I know how to get out of it...
but all I can say is if the machine has on-board video...do not
try to use an XP video driver.

I find nVidia to be great in this.....they have an online utility.
Indeed the machine I'm using here I loaded the 169.21 version
video driver but it recommended the 97.3?v for W2kP and the
hardware I am running probably for less overhead as 169.21 is also
the XP driver. Set the video up first then it makes it easier to
locate others. If you have an industrial/commercial model like my
HP VL400, you may have to search on another unit to get the
motherboard drivers. Secondly with the Intel 925 I have unfinished
in the back, I looked it up at the Intel model database to see
what CPUs and OS it was compatible with before I bought...then
after being assured[its' backward compatible to NT4] I felt
relieved I could run W2kP on it and only then I purchased. So
just check to see if your desired peripherals will run before you
buy, I upgraded to two DVD burners a year apart and they both run
on 2000 nicely. Sound may require a bit of fiddling...just be
patient & try different codecs and driver versions.

Finally: Be sure to apply all updates and the latest service
pack... no matter which OS you go with.

nVidia versions 17x.xx drivers are primarily upgrades for Vista
and you won't need them.

& if you're wondering why the 925 is unfinished, the
!@#$%^&*&^%$#@! blasted refurb Gateway in the other room I finally
have running stable and now have one more computer than I really
need....so I'll probably get back to the 925 in the dead of winter
when I need to have something to do. :-\ [big grin]