can i just buy a key for windows 2000 from microsoft?

[tracerit]

i need to upgrade two computers still running Windows 98 by Saturday. I was wondering what the best way to do this is. I looked on ebay but while some items are still sealed, i'm not sure they're legit. Will it be possible to download an ISO and call up Microsoft and buy a CD key?


While I would like to use something more modern, these computers are for a business and they don't want to let me upgrade hardware just yet until the summer time, so for now i'm lookingfor something to get me by.

 

[dphantom]

no I do not think you will be able to do that. ebay or some such may be your best bet. Be careful of counterfeit/NFR copies.

 

[StinkyPinky]

Windows 2000 stopped getting any support from Microsoft in 2010. So no you wont be able to buy it from them.

What's wrong with Windows XP?

 

[gmaster456]

What business is still running Windows 98? Anyway, since neither windows 2000 or 98 no longer get security updates (the latter of which was cut off almost 6 years ago) I would just stick with whats on there and hold out until summer. Or find a lighter version of linux. But seriously, try and convince them to upgrade the machines if the funds are available.

 

[tracerit]

it's a supermarket that's running the same hardware back when they opened in 1999. Upgrading the hardware (well more like revamping) will require the market to call their Point of Sale software guy to reinstall everything thus costing them +$70,000... So for the time being we're trying to get their sales up then we'll revamp everything (hardware and a new POS system) in the summer time.

I'm not sure the hardware will run Windows XP and if Windows 98 is even upgradeable to that level? I'll look into that but msot likely i'll have to risk getting an "authentic" copy off ebay.

 

[Lifted]

Windows 2000 doesn't require activation, so pretty much any key for the appropriate media will work.

Why the need to upgrade to 2000? 98 -> 2000 is a major change in architecture, and to do so for only a few months... I just don't see the benefit. Are you sure all of the apps (POS?) currently running on 98 will run on 2000?

 

[postmortemIA]

they key I got at my school for 2000 Pro from Microsoft back in the day was same for all computers.

 

[theevilsharpie]

So you want to upgrade the operating system on a 13-year-old computer system that is running expensive proprietary software whose proper functioning is (I assume) critical to your company's operation?

Unless the system is completely non-functional, I would leave things well enough alone.

 

[lxskllr]

I think I have some unused oem keys I'd be willing to sell. I agree with the above though. If it's been running on Win98, I'd let it be. 98-2000 was a huge jump architecturally, and you could get some nasty problems. When business is on the line, it's better to stick with what works. Going from one unsupported O/S to another especially doesn't make sense.

 

[tracerit]

one of the computers is already running Windows 2000 with the POS software. however i'll take the advice provided and just leave things as they are. thanks for the replies!

 

[tangrisser]

You won't be able to purchase Windows 2000. Based on their current downgrade rights, they are willing to let users practice downgrade rights to Windows Xp.
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#windows7
http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/pages/downgrade_rights.aspx#windows7

I agree with previous posts. Why fix something that's not broken?

 

[MrDuma]

well said tandrisser. why on world would you want to downgrade to that version? and also if you buy it there is the risk of a not legal one to be purchased if not careful

 

[vailr]

Upgrading the hardware (well more like revamping) will require the market to call their Point of Sale software guy to reinstall everything thus costing them +$70,000...

How many POS terminals?
And, how much: just for the software and the "software guy's" labor?