What is the difference between WindowsME and Windows 2000

woody59 wrote:
- Would someone tell me the difference between the
- two.
-
ME is merely an update to the Windows 9X operating systems, and is the last incarnation of that system that Microsoft will distribute. 2K is an update of Windows NT; for the next few years all new versions of Windows operating systems will be based on "NT technology", although a 64-bit system is in the works. I have no idea how that relates to 2K. On the user side, the interface is very similar, a bit more complex in some regards because 2K is geared to a networking situation. But it works quite well on a stand alone computer; one just ignores the networking options. It tends to be far more stable, and, in some areas, somewhat faster than ME (at least on my 8100).

- Where would I get Windows 2000, ME is causing
- problems on my Dell 8100.
-
You can buy it at any software store (I got mine at Amazon.com at about 10% below list) or, if you wish to pay full price, from Dell. You cannot without risking major problems upgrade from ME to 2K; so a clean install is advised. Since you have an 8100, you will have no driver problem in 2K; either 2K will contain drivers or they are included on the Resource CD.

Perhaps, before moving to 2K, you should try a clean install of ME. I found that that solved most of my problems on my 8100. What you are having problems with is really not ME, but the way Dell configures the machine during its factory install. After formatting and re-installing ME, then install the other stuff Dell sends you ONLY if you know you are going to use it.

Bill Snyder

WindowsME is a follow-on operating system from Windows3.1, Win95, Win98(and SE) then ME and it's built on DOS underpinnings. Windows2000 is a follow-on product in the Windows NT (New Technologies) line and is built on the NT kernel (with DOS emulation available). 2000 can use either the FAT32 file system, like ME, but can also use the NTFS (New Technologies File System). They are really two completely different products. MS's idea was that the 95-98-ME line was more or less for 'home use' and the NT-2000 line was more or less for business use. NT & 2000 are a LOT more stable than the ME line, but also a lot more challenging to configure and administer. The next operating system release from MS, WindowsXP, is being built on the NT kernel, but there will supposedly be home and commercial versions of the product. Also, While Windows98 is in the 'upgrade' path for 2000, ME is not. So, if you wanted to transition from ME to 2000 you would either have to get a 'full' copy rather than the 'upgrade' copy which means a higher cost (unless you happen to have a copy of 98 laying around someplace).


Cowboy Wisdom:
"Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance."

- Bob -
7XDB8


Message Edited on 04/15/01 11:29AM by Bob11