WinXP to Win2k - Installation/Entry Point Errors?

Ok so, I have a Dell Dimension 3000 that came with XP. Someone gave me the Desktop so I do not have the Software that came with it, only the code on the tower. & Of course Windows does not offer support for XP. One day I booted my PC and i could not get in, there was an issue with missing system folder. I do not recall exactly, but i did not have access to any type of CD to install XP or recover.. I was forced to install Windows 2000. So i am not really sure what I did wrong, I can only boot up and log in safe mode, i didnt erase anything when i did this because i didnt want to lose everything. I think it may be too late for that. I dont care though at this point I just want to be able to install programs & run other programs.

There is now a C:\WINDOWS & a C:\WINNT folder.. if I try to run anything out of the windows folder i get an Entry Point Error/Could not be found in dynamic link library. or "This cannot be run in Win32 Mode". Another when I tried to install AdbeRdr "The procedure entry point FindActCtxSectionStringW could not be found in the dynamic link library KERNEL32.dll."

I seem to remember seeing alot about Kernel32.dll when it comes to errors. So what is going on? my xp folders are not compatible now, something to do with NTSF? (Im not familiar with the data types) Or is it something like when i tell my computer to do something it is looking in the wrong folders to do it?

I do not have access to the Win2k CD I used, I do have the code still tho. & I heard u can make a cd from ur pc. But please some help me here, what do i need to do?

Heres some info: System: Microsoft Windows 2000 5.00.2195 Service Pack 4

Dell DImension 3000

Intel(R) Pentium

(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz

AT/AT COMPATIBLE

 

Hi, ryanjerome07. Welcome to Major Geeks.

Support for Win2K ended July 13, 2010 and you know support for XP ended April 8, 2014. Running either puts your computer at serious risk especially, if you go online with either.

XP programs are not backward compatible with Win2K. Sorry.

Since the Desktop PC came with XP installed, go to the Dell Support site and enter the Service Tag (on a sticker on the machine) or let the support site scan the PC. Once the PC is identified by Dell, take a look at the configuration to see if a Win XP re-install CD was included. If it was, you MAY be able to get a replacement along with the device drivers CD. You MAY be able to go from there and still use the XP based apps. But, don't go online with it.

My Dell Precision M70 laptop came with XP Pro SP3 pre-installed. I knew that support for XP was ending, I didn't have the money for a new laptop and I still needed to be able to go online with it.

I tried different versions of Windows — Vista, 7, 8 and 8.1. To my surprise, Vista Ultimate does quite well on my machine as does Windows 8.1 Pro. You have a 2.8GHz processor and if you have 2GB of RAM installed, you may find that either OS will do quite nicely.

Your important data from the Win2K/XP drive can be copied to another, external, drive if you have one. If not, remove the Win2K/XP drive from the case and connect it to the one you posted this with.

 

agreed. If you change OS it is unlikely that any apps will work without reinstalling. My suggestion back any data up and do a clean install of a supported OS. Check hardware compatibility and consider purchasing and installing Windows 8.1