What is best way to upgrade to windows 2000 from Win98?

I am considering upgrading to Windows 2000 from Win98 2nd Ed. What is the best/cheapest/easiest way to do this? I'm rehabing an old computer and Win98 doesn't deal well with lots of RAM, but Windows 2000 is good to go with it. Thanks. Ed.

 

Drivers and software are kind of hard to find for Win 2000. You might be better off finding a copy of WinXP and using that instead.

 

If you are putting Win 2000 i would recommend Xp 64bit to get your max amount of ram.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_kk_1...ords=windows+xp+64+bit&ie=UTF8&qid=1353490686

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=Windows+Xp+64+bit&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Hope this helps :wave

There are more files out there for xp then win2000 It would be too much of a pain in the butt to search every thing for 2000

 

XP 64bit can handle more RAM true, but it is buggy and even more fussy about software and hardware than XP Home/32bit.

 

That is way i suggested 64bit not sure how much this person is talking about.

 

Here is the OP's thread from the hardware section.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=269767

This why it would be suggested to use XP Home/32bit.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Didn't realize the software was so expensive. I was hoping I could get the discs super cheap. This is going to be a first computer for our 5 yo, and don't want to ramp up the cost too much. At this point I am leaning toward sticking with the Win2000. Just curious, if I did get Win XP, could I install it right on top of the Win2000 and keep everything on the computer, or would I have to start from scratch and lose everything? Thanks. Ed.

 

The software stuff gets pretty confusing for me. Did a little further research and looks like some discs can be had for a reasonable price. Would something like these work?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item19d6e58600

or this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item19d6e58600

Does it matter what service pack I get? Kind of assuming the highest # service pack would be best. Thanks. Ed.

 

Both of those links you submitted are the same thing, they are both used and they are upgrades and you are bidding in an auction. You might win the auction and you might not, at which point you've wasted your time.

What you really want is a brand-new full version like the one listed here with service pack 2 built in. You can get service pack 3 later as you go online. You'll need service pack 3 to get updates until June 2014 when WinXP reaches it's end of life.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Win..._1_3?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1353524535&sr=1-3

 

So, assuming I win one of the used upgrade version auctions, would it work, or do I need a full version? A new, full version is just out of my budget. Either we have to do this super cheap, or I'll just stick with what I have and use the 768mb of memory. No problemo. I appreciate your time and help. Ed.

maybe this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MICROSOFT-W...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item1c2da0718f

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Microsoft-W...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item2324d98116

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Windows...perating_Systems_Software&hash=item257780e310

 

I agree with hrlow2's 2nd link.

That's the best deal so far.

 

OK, thanks to both of you. Really appreciate where you're coming from. Unfortunately I'll probably have to stick with Win98 for now. I wish I had my original XP from my other computer I'm using now, but Dell sold them pre-loaded back in the day.

Just curious. Is this the same thing as hrlow2's second link?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Windows...?pt=US_Wholesale_Software&hash=item35c1d0b6d0

 

You would not have been able to use an XP disc from a Dell computer on the computer you have now. The Dell discs are proprietary discs and will only work on that model of Dell.

 

Just to review, hrlow2's second link below, when I read the description on Ebay it says that it MUST be installed on a new or reformatted computer. Aren't I just looking to upgrade my OS but keep all my programs, etc.?? I'd hate to lose everything and start from scratch. Ed.

 

It's totally up to you.

Do you have the installation discs for your software? Even if you did an upgrade your old software may not work with the new OS, although XP Pro has more compatibility than XP Home.

Again, I cannot advise you on what to do, it's your call here.

 

Might try a dual-boot system if your hard drive has enough free space.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7338211_create-dual_boot-between-win98-winxp.html

 

OK, thanks again. I'm obviously over my head here. For the moment I'll stick with what I got. Just a side question. Can I mix memory sticks? For example, can I have a 512 with a 256 to get 768? Or do I need to use three 256's? Thanks.

 

Could use sticks in that combo.sure.
Or use 2 256 sticks and the 512 to have 1 GB

 

Some older mother boards in that era wouldn't read more then certain amounts off of each chip. Ie had one motherboard that the board supported 1 gig, but each slot wouldn't read more then 256. Just a cautionary warning for you.

 

hrlow2, Colemanguy, Thanks. Yeah, I was about to say something like that. From an earlier thread and the feedback I got, it appears that Win98 doesn't deal with more than 512mb of ram......768 if I use the MS workaround. My motherboard can take up to 3GB (1gb per slot). These are the links that convinced me that 768 is the max I can use smoothly.

http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview/id/333688.html
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1133805

 

Maybe you should consider some from of linux at this point? Ubuntu is free and easy and would take advantage of the extra memory to improve your performance.

 

Colemanguy, "Consider some from...." Do you mean some 'form' of Linux OS? We had a computer at work with Linux on it.

lol....if my head wasn't swimming already.......I think I need a day to regroup.

 

Yes, had a typo, i meant form

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji9iqzwnrMk

DSL.