Win98 and Win2k Memory

[Brian23]

I'm gonna build a server PC out of an old 4x86 that only has 16MB of memory. I know that Win2k wants at least 64MB, but will it work on 16? Or should I use Win98? Will Win98 work in this configuration? Or should I try to get more EDO memory for this PC and then run 2k?

 

[MGMorden]

Windows 2k isn't going to work with 16mb or a 486. Windows 98 is unstable and generally a very poor server OS. I'd say to slap Linux on that machine if you really want to use it as a server. If you want to use Windows I'd say 2k is your only reasonable choice but you'd need a new CPU and ram (and a new motherboard/cpu + some cheap ram might even cost you less than it would take to add 48 more mb of EDO ram, which is now quite expensive).

 

[Brian23]

I really did want to run 2k on the server instead of 98, but you say that 2k won't even run on a 486 no matter how much memory I have?

 

[MGMorden]

Official requirements of Win2k:

133 MHz or higher Pentium-compatible CPU.
64 megabytes (MB) of RAM recommended minimum; more memory generally improves responsiveness.
2 GB hard disk with a minimum of 1 GB of free space.


You MIGHT (and I REALLY mean might) be able to get away with just a little less than this but a 486 w/ 16mb is a far cry from a 133mhz Pentium w/ 64mb. I'm telling you man. Use Linux on this machine or just pickup some cheap hardware (motherboard + 700mhz cpu + 128mb ram can be had for around $100-125 if you go cheapo stuff) and run Win2k for it. Either way running a Win98 server is a big no-no.

 

[mikenova]

i don't think you will pass the setup with a 486. Brian23 is right put some cash on a "cheap" system and upgrade if you wanna run W2k, then you could go for Linux on the other machine. 🙂