Windows NT to Windows 2000

[fxcolin]

Hi,

I'm going to be changing a friend's PC from Windows NT to Windows 2000 Pro.

I'm wondering if anyone can offer some insight to how best to go about it. It has 128 RAM, a split hardrive
C/: 1.5 GB and D/:6.5GB.
That's about all I know right now.

I know this is kinda vague, but looking for the simplest way.
As well as any quirks I should look out for.
Anyone done this? And can offer a point of view.

Thanks alot.
"In life there are 3 types of people. Some that MAKE it happen, Those that WATCH it happen and some that say... hey! WHAT happened ???"

http://www.chefmedia.ca

http://www.fxstudios.ca

 

[darranagl]

You can do an upgrade from NT to Win2k, it is the 'easiest' way using the WINNT32.EXE. The most stable way is to wipe NT and install Win2k clean.

First of all, check to see if the hardware of the PC is compatable with Win2k and collect the drivers before you start anything!

The minimum for Win2k is Pentium 166 with 64Mb of RAM.
New Zealand, a great place to live.

http://www.southland.org.nz

tokala@orcon.net.nz

 

[fxcolin]

Hi darranagl,
Thanks for the response.
Yep I was kinda figuring I should check the drivers.

Excuse my naivity, I haven't done it before.
I was told it should be painless.
Where do I find the WINNT32.EXE ? Is it on the Windows 2000 disk ?

How would I wipe NT and clean install win2000 ?
I think that is the preferred way.
I'm a total newbie when it comes to this!!

Thanks "In life there are 3 types of people. Some that MAKE it happen, Those that WATCH it happen and some that say... hey! WHAT happened ???"

http://www.chefmedia.ca

http://www.fxstudios.ca

 

[netwalker1]

WIN NT 4.0 or over can be upgrade to win2000
but WIN NT less than version 4 must to be upgrade first to Version 4 then to 2000 !
Mohamed Farid
Know Me No Pain , No Me Know Pain !!!

 

[darranagl]

To do an upgrade all you need to do is place the Win2k CD in the drive and let it autoboot. The autoboot will start the WINNT32.EXE. If the CD doesn't autoboot browse to the I386 folder on the CD and double-click WINNT32.EXE.

If you wipe NT to do a fresh install of Win2k all your software will have to be reinstalled and data on C will be lost. This is because the boot partions (the 1.5Gb C drive) will be formatted (wiped).

Even if the software is installed on the D drive it will still need to be re-installed (unless its DOS based and doesn't use the NT gui). This is because the links to the files are held in the Registry which will be wiped when you format the C drive.

One final note: If the file system used (on the NT install) is FAT convert it to NTFS (you may be given the option during the upgrade), if not use the CONVERT utility after you upgrade to Win2k. You can use the DISK ADMINISTRATOR to see if the file system is FAT or NTFS (it should already be NTFS but it pays to check). NTFS is much more secure and stable. New Zealand, a great place to live.

http://www.southland.org.nz

tokala@orcon.net.nz

 

[echoecho]

Another thing to consider is the size of the C: drive. A mimimum requirement for win2k is 650MB to install. Then if you install software to C:, you will soon run out of room. Remember, the desktop is stored on the C: drive so if you place a large movie of the kids there you could eat up that space also.

 

[fxcolin]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to respond!

I'm still a little unsure about clean install of windows 2000.
How exactly do I wipe(uninstall) Windows NT?

Thanks "In life there are 3 types of people. Some that MAKE it happen, Those that WATCH it happen and some that say... hey! WHAT happened ???"

http://www.chefmedia.ca

http://www.fxstudios.ca

 

[darranagl]

If you boot off the Win2k CD (not thru NT). You will have to change the Bois Boot Order to boot from the CD before the Hard Drive.

During the Install you will get the option to either delete partitions (the C drive) or format the drives. I would delete the C drive partition and re-create it, format it in NTFS.

Just follow the prompts during the install. New Zealand, a great place to live.

http://www.southland.org.nz

tokala@orcon.net.nz