Windows 2000 = lackluster compatibility?

[Ionizer86]

Before the XP days, I've had Windows 2000 for quite a while. Across all of my installations, I've never had superb software compatibility, though the hardware worked well. The only time I was able to get (almost) all my progs working was when I migrated upward from Win98SE.

Is this normal, or do you really need to migrate from 98SE to attain good compatibility? And if the migration is done on top of a fresh 98SE install, is the installation as clean and stable as a full 2000 install from scratch?

It'd be cool if I could go back to 2k while maintaining good compatibility, cuz XP is kinda bloated there :-Z

 

[Heisenberg]

In my experience, upgrading from a previous OS is not nearly as good as a clean install. IMHO, a lot of compatibility problems could be avoided by a doing fresh OS install, and then reinstalling all your programs as opposed to an upgrade. A clean install is also better all around anyway.

 

[IceCreamMan]

What kind of programs are you looking for compatibility with?

 

[Saltin]

<< I've never had superb software compatibility, though the hardware worked well (2k) >>



2k Pro was coded with business's in mind. It's an excellent desktop OS in a domain environment, the best in my mind. It runs Office and other "essential" apps well. It wasnt built with games and a host of third party apps in mind. I suppose it might be ok to complain about that.
Personally, if I've got 100's of desktop's to watch, I hope in my heart of heart's they are 2k.



<< The only time I was able to get (almost) all my progs working was when I migrated upward from Win98SE. >>



You should never do an in-place upgrade. Never Ever. Unless you can't help it.
Any home set up, you can help it.




<< It'd be cool if I could go back to 2k while maintaining good compatibility, cuz XP is kinda bloated there :-Z >>



Bloated. I heard alot of people call 2k that when it first arrived.

Turned out thier hardware sucked

XP is what you're looking for. It's hardware compatibility is even better than 2k's and it's software compatibility is much better. It was built with end users in mind

 

[Thor86]

Saltin, here here. Win2k is so robust, it's hard to break, and very easy to fix compared to other Win32 Os'.

 

[Derango]

Almost everything I have tried to use on win2k has worked. The only thing that didn't was a game: High Heat 2001. And I wasn't expecting that to work either. I'm very happy with 2k.

 

[gsaldivar]

You're right - XP is bloated.

W2K is oh so dope.... lean and mean. And the best part is that XP is essentially W2K underneath!

Install W2K from scratch - it saves money on asprin...