World Magazine 2024
Microsoft® Windows 2000 Knowledge Center
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Whether you’re just considering the move to Windows 2000 or you’ve decided to take the plunge and install Windows 2000, we can help.
Unlike previous Windows operating systems, Windows 3.x, Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME, Windows 2000 is a bit finicky about hardware components and some older software types. However, with a little thought and planning, most, if not all, of the hurdles can be overcome. As we have stated throughout our Web site, most of the “techie types” suggest that Windows 2000 is only for the “power user” or the “experienced user”. To that we say BUNK! If you’re looking to end those endless crashes and look forward to finally enjoying some stability, Windows 2000 is just what you need.
The only caution we have for you is that if you believe that you can slip some low-budget hardware (notice we didn’t say inexpensive) past the Windows installer, forget it! While Windows 2000 doesn’t demand premium hardware, some of the trash components being released today just will not work. If you’re ready, let’s look at some topics that will be important to the success of your installation.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
One of the first things you should review, if you haven’t already, are the minimum hardware requirements for the installation. If you’re thinking about dragging out that old 486, you may want to re-think that choice. Windows 2000 can be installed on a Pentium 133, but after doing so you may not be able to do much with it as the operating system will tax its capacity. You can review those requirements here.
Hardware and Software Compatibility
The next logical step would be to insure that your present hardware and software is compatible with Windows 2000. Microsoft has released an Analyzer Tool that will enable you to determine, in advance of an upgrade or fresh installation, whether your present hardware and software is compatible. You can review more about compatibility here. If you would rather go directly to our explanation of the Windows 2000 Readiness Analyzer, click here.
As an additional note to the issue of hardware compatibility, Windows 2000 must be installed on a computer with a current motherboard Bios. Don’t know what a Bios is? The BIOS is the software interface within the prom chip on your computers motherboard (main board) that allows the operating system, such as Windows 95, 98 and Windows 2000 to communicate with your computer’s underlying hardware. It is used to boot the computer when it is turned on. The BIOS is the lowest level code that lives directly on the computer’s motherboard. To learn more about a BIOS in general, follow this link: BIOS Help.
If you need more information about Bios issues in Windows 2000, click here!
Advanced Setup Considerations and Options
You’ve checked the minimum requirements and there were no problems. You reviewed the hardware and software compatibility issues and even ran the Readiness Analyzer and you’re all set, right? Wrong! There are a few more considerations you just might want to think about. Unlike other versions of Windows, Windows 2000 comes with a ton of features and a with them a whole bunch of things to be considered, such as the file format you are going to use when formatting your hard drive if this is a fresh installation (you can use the Windows 2000 upgrade CD for a fresh installation!). There are three types of file systems to consider, FAT, FAT 32 or NTFS, and you may want to think about whether you want to dual-boot Windows 2000 and another operating system such as Windows 98.
To review these Advanced Setup Options, click here.
Installing Windows 2000
Can’t decide whether to upgrade from an older Windows operating system, or format your hard drive and then perform a fresh installation? Are you considering dual-booting Windows 200 within another operating system? Are you on a network, either at home, or in a small office, or even on a large network? If so, there are some things you may want to know about. You can read more about the installation process and procedures for Windows 2000 by clicking here.
Understanding the various phases of Setup and Startup
Okay, you’ve probably done allot of reading at this point, and if you feel your ready for the installation then let’s review the entire process. We have prepared a fairly lengthy Web page that will explain the entire Windows 2000 setup and startup phases of the installation in depth for you. Just click here to review The Phases of Setup and Startup of Windows 2000.
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