Win 2000 Help

[Chuffmaster2k]

Got a question for all you fine people.

I am fixing to install Win2000 Pro on my home machine. I have a Cel2 566@850 on an Abit Be6-2 MB, a SBlive Value sound card, a OEM 32 MB GeForce2 GTS, 128 MB Ram, and a 20 GB Maxtor HD.

What I am wondering is this...

1. Does anybody know of any compatibility issues with my components?

2. Is there anything I need to know before I start? I have installed 3.1, 95, 98, 98SE, but never a version of NT or 2000.

3. Just general suggestions to make my job easier. BTW it will be a fresh install.

Thanks for your help.

 

[TechMaster]

if you never installed NT/2K - prepare yourself for a little surprise...

1) convert to NTFS - ~3GB of free space will do.
2) if you can - Dual/triple/quadro...BOOT - you will still need that Win9X crap
3) Backup EVERYTHING
4) Enjoy - you will soon enter a new realm of stability and performance... (I know, this sounds like a lame MS commertiacl broadcast... )

 

[Chuffmaster2k]

Here's the deal. Right now I have everything backed up onto the 1.6 Gig HD. I heard you need to install 98SE first, so I was going to do that on the 20 Gig. I do not want to use partitions unless I have to. After I got 98SE installed completely, I was going to move all information from the 1.6 to the 20. Then I was going to reformat the 1.6 gig and install Win 2K on it. All games and apps would be on the 20 Gig drive.

What is the benefit of NTFS over Fat32? Will Win 2K not see Fat32? Sorry if I sound clueless, but I am. I have no experience installing NT or 2K.

Thanks for your help.

 

[setaanbomb]

Windows 9x sucks. Rid your life and computing habits away from Windows 9x. If you have programs that don't run in Win2k, then don't use them. Leaving yourself a little space to dual boot 9x is a mistake. Learn to use Win2k, you'll thank me.

Your first step is to decide how your going to partition your drive. I have a 20gb drive as well and partition it like this

C(system partition) drive = 4GB
D(programs/games/updates) = 10GB
E(Pagefile drive) = 1GB
F(backup) = 5GB

All drives are NTFS. Windows 2000 can read/write to Fat16, Fat32, and NTFS. Windows 9x cannot write to NTFS, I think it can read NTFS, but definitely cannot write.

Use NTFS for your filesystem. NTFS enables all kinds of security measures and enhancements.

Your hardware all meets the Win2k requirements. Make sure you DL the latest drivers for Win2k and install them. Also make sure you have the latest updates to all your software. Some programs, when installed in Win2k, force endless reboots if not updated.

Another key note, Do a clean install. Upgrading, while convenient, is not the for sure way to go. A Clean install is always welcome.

 

[Chuffmaster2k]

Thanks for the info...

I'll have to think about it a little more. My wife uses the computer also. I need to see what kind of apps she needs and if they are compatible with 2000.