W2K: how much and where to buy?

[Carbo]

I've decided to move from W98 to W2K Pro. Looking for the best price on the full version CD. Anyone spot any bargains lately?

 

[Carbo]

And also, I get conflicting stories about the differences between the upgrade version and the full version. Are there, in fact, differences?
If so, exactly what? I clearly do NOT want to lay W2K over W98! My preference is to format and clean install and forget about W98 totally.
And again, any bargain deals to be had out there for the full version?

 

[CPORonin]

http://www.directdeals.com/product.asp?id=304
Cheapest I could find on short notice. This one also has SP1 and a training CD...not bad.

 

[Carbo]

CPO, I assume the reference to SR1 means the MS Service Release 1 is included. Fine, but do you understand (DSP-OEM)?
"Windows 2000 Professional SR1 (DSP-OEM) Full Version with extra training CD"
I also noticed that their website lists about three or four different versions Windows 2000 Pro, all for different prices........???

 

[Shudder]

Any Microsoft "Upgrade" software basically means you need to have a copy of SOME sort of program it says in order to qualify.

For 98 upgrade, you need a 95 CD.. That DOES NOT mean you need to have 95 installed, you simply need to prove you have a copy of the program.

And windows 2000 you'll want on its own, not overwriting 98.. and that's perfectly fine.

The only time you'll need a full version of an OS is if you have no ohter MS os's.

 

[Carbo]

Shudder, so MS wants to verify that I've already spent some dough on a previous MS Operating System? So when I install W2K, at some point I will be prompted to insert the W98SE CD for this verification? But I will NOT be installing 2000 OVER an existing W98 installation?
It's starting to make sense. Thank you.

 

[Shudder]

Well, I usually install FROM windows 98, so it obviously knows there's an existing OS there. I never get prompted for the actual CD.

 

[Compuguru]

$5, a friend.

 

[Carbo]

Friends like yours, I don't have.......

 

[perry]

You can pop the W2K Upgrade CD in on a blank hard drive and install, no problemo. Just have a 98 CD handy because it'll ask for it during the installation process to verify you own it. Done it quite a few times.

 

[Joemonkey]

i've used 3 different win2k cds (the 120 day version that comes with MCSE MOC's, corporate edition that doesn't require a CD-KEY, and retail full version) and NONE would let me upgrade from win98 TO win2k. just food for thought. i know you want to do a clean format/install, but for those who just want to upgrade from win98 to win2k, get the upgrade edition.

 

[ProviaFan]

If I upgrade to Windows 2000 using the upgrade edition, will it be happy if I feed it my Windows 98 Upgrade, or will it want the Windows 95 disk, also?
Thank you,
Josh

 

[Compuguru]

Because Win98 is an upgrade cd, it will most likely want the 95 disk.

 

[DOOPYLOOPY]

I used a Win2k professional with SP1 retail to upgrade from my existing Win98se to Win2k.

It worked like a charm.

 

[wyvrn]

You cannot upgrade from Win9x to win2k. It will simply setup a dual boot system. Just format, boot to the Win2k cd, and have your win9x cd handy for when it asks you.