Dimension XPS Upgrade: Win98 to Win2000

Question

I am new to the forums, having just bought a new Dimension 4600 w/Win XP Home, and have already learned a great deal from these forums on other topics. I installed a Netgear router/WAP through which I run my cable modem connection w/Comcast. Have the new Dimension running through that and also connect wirelessly with my Latitude D600 laptop for work, which is working flawlessly after installing the firmware upgrade and fixing a problem with the Intel Pro adapter. Connect to the corporate network through VPN.

My issue now concerns my old XPS T500, purchased in 1999, and whether to upgrade from Win98 to Win2000. This computer has been infested with hordes of spyware (kids using file-sharing services, etc.), but between Spybot and Ad aware is on the way to getting cleaned up. According the Norton scans it is not infected with any viruses. My laptop runs Win2000 Pro, and I just thought it might be a good idea to upgrade to Win2000 on the old Dimension. Why I think that I can't tell you, but I did notice that 98 doesn't seem to have as many security features (internet firewall, etc.). I still want to use the machine as a second computer and can run another connection from the router to it.

I am not a technical person in terms of either hardware or software. I am, however, functionally literate in both, and was wondering if I should even bother with going to Win2000. I have reviewed the instructions for the Win2000 upgrade from Dell support and believe I can handle the process, but have seen several posts recommending a "clean install" in lieu of "upgrade". I do not have a Win2000 cd.

Basically, I just want to "clean out" my old computer and start with a fresh operating system, and thought 2K was a good option. System specs: 128MB RAM; 20GB HD (13 free now); NVidia graphics card; 10/100 NIC.

Any suggestions/guidance would be much appreciated.

kent

Starter · Answer

An upgrade usually brings along W98 problems to W2K....... a clean installation is what most recommend....

dssne · Answer

Thanks, Starter.  To the more basic question, however, any thoughts re just staying with Win98 and reinstalling that vs. moving to Win2K?

Starter · Answer

I tried 95, 98, 98SE, and ME (then went back to 98SE). Still BSODs, crashes, illegal operations, etc, etc.....

Went to W2K about 18 months back and am so glad I did. For the most part W2K is trouble free or easily fixable if one does something to mess it up (ie install a program that has problems, etc).

W2K seems to manage itself pretty much, no IRQ conflicts, it shares very well unlike the previous versions. If you do a clean install (take your time and do it right) I don't thing that you will have cause to regret it.....

Do your homework first, collect drivers, etc.....then follow the directions (many sources for installing by searching Google)...

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/indexwin2k.htm

just for starters...

Best of luck....

SloMoShun · Answer

Greetings Kent...Let me refer you to an article that outlines the advantages of W2K:  http://aroundcny.com/technofile/texts/tec121000.html Although it was written in late 2000, its points are just as valid today as they were then. The single most compelling reason to convert is stability. But before you switch, be sure to use an important tool called the Windows 2000 Readiness Advisor available from Dell Support/Upgrades to analyze your system for hardware incompatibilies (don't forget about the printer, scanner, or any other add-ons you may be using). If a component is incompatible and there is no upgraded driver available from the manufacturer, then you must replace the component before upgrading. And don't forget that all the software program applications will need to be reinstalled and they must be compatable with the new operating system. At the very least, I would add another stick of memory to bring it up to at least 256 Megs (everything will load sooo much faster). If there is a college student in the family, he or she may be able to purchase a full version of W2K at the college bookstore at a substantial savings. One last thing, don't forget to apply the Critical Updates and Security Patches from Microsoft after the upgrade.

dssne · Answer

THanks to both of you for the tips. I was definitely concerned about 98's ability to move forward, and 2K certainly has proven reliable to me (at least the Pro version used by my firm, which is on my business laptop). I knew I'd need more RAM. ANy suggestions for manufacturers who have worked out well in Dell machines, or is it a generic thing?

Sorry to keep asking without giving back, but I've got to say my most daunting problem seems to be that the old computer I want to upgrade is really infested with spyware and who knows what else that the performance is terrible. I''ve just removed the internet connection to it and I guess will run AdAware, etc., but is there anything in particular I need to do to "wipe the slate clean" for the install of 2K, or is that all in the instructions for the "clean install" (not meant as rhetorical - just showing my inexperience).

Thanks again.

Starter · Answer

http://www.crucial.com/ ... works well with Dells....good prices and usually free shipping....good support ...

W2K can do it all.... you should be able to boot to the W2K cd, then partition and format the drive from there....

If for some reason you have problems with this, then you can boot with a W98 boot disk (if you don't have one, then you can get one here http://www.bootdisk.com/ ) then partition/format....

http://home.pacbell.net/dbk4297/fdiskformat.html is a pretty good guide for fdisk, there are others ...

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/default.asp also will provide step by step instructions ...

Hydralisk00222 · Answer

128MB RAM is fine for Win2k. Unless you got some extra $$$ from the holidays or something, you really don't need to put 'buying RAM' as a high priority.

Windows General

Dimension XPS Upgrade: Win98 to Win2000

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