Windows 2000 on second computer?

[Dodge7]

My three year old computer has win 98SE on it. I planned to just keep it for an emergency computer, and to experiment with - try Linux on a partiion, try out ultilities and demo programs, and possibliy turn it into a Mac emulator [I have a lot of old Mac data around]. Still, most of the time I'll be using my new computer.

O.K. here is the deal, I have a chance to get a legal, unused copy of Windows 2000 for under $100. My old computer could run it, no problem. And if my "experiments" destroy the OS, I can install Windows 2000 over and over, just like my 98SE disk.... except I wonder if it much harder to re-install than 98SE?

I just can't decide if I should just leave the old computer with 98SE or go to Win 2000... any advice?

[Statica]

If you've got a machine with decent specs, and as you say a legal copy of 2000, then you would certainly benefit from better stability (especially if you install NTFS). Going back to 98 is a cinch, with the understanding that if you use NTFS, you will lose all your previous data from win2k.

As a rule, I find the installation is much easier than 98 was, simply because it's a pretty standardized installation.

[ukdave]

Originally Posted by Dodge7 I just can't decide if I should just leave the old computer with 98SE or go to Win 2000... any advice?

Hi there Dodge7. I am a beginner - so be careful!!

I recently did something like what you are thinking about. My computer was 3 years old with 2 hard drives. Bottom line was I partitioned the second disk into two. Used first partition for Windows 2000 Professional and the second partition for general backups from either of the two operating systems.
The other operating system is Windows 98SE and that is on my first hard disk drive.

There you have it. All I can add is that it works. It has created a dual-boot by I believe dealing with the boot records on the first hard disk in a certain way. I am presented with a choice between the two. My Windows 98SE was already on the computer and Win 2000 was added. I believe that is suppose to be easier to do that way round.

Won't say anymore because I am a novice. But sufficient just to add I could not have done it without an article I read on the web - here it is:

http://winntmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=8312

OK - good luck and check it out with more experienced people here first.
cheers.
David

[Dodge7]

UKDave - You know, I hadn't thought of that. I like it! I was thinking of re-formatting my HD, again, and replacing 98SE with Win 2000. I think a dual boot would be the way to go. That way I could have Win 98SE which works with all my programs and printers, ect.... and I could use either OS for running experimental programs etc. I think Win 2000 makes a moe stable Mac Emulator and such.

Thanks for idea and article.

Roger

[ukdave]

Originally Posted by Dodge7 Thanks for idea and article. Roger

Your welcome. Let us all know how you get on later.
David

[Dodge7]

I should get the Win 2000 CD tomorrow or Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

[Dodge7]

Oh yeah, I need to create a new partition for Win 2000, don't I? Anyone know of software that would let me do so without having to format over Win 98 and all the programs I just reinstalled? I think one exists?

[nubbler]

I'm totally clear on this but, just to let you know, Win 2000 and 98SE don't use the same file system(well they can but don't I think), So you might not be able to access all the files in Win98 that you can in Win2000.

[Dodge7]

Actually, you can have Win 2000 format at FAT32, which Win 9x uses. If you have Win 2000 format as NTFS then you make it more difficult.

Anyway, I plan on running them as two seperate systems.

[nubbler]

Originally Posted by Dodge7 Actually, you can have Win 2000 format at FAT32, which Win 9x uses. If you have Win 2000 format as NTFS then you make it more difficult. Anyway, I plan on running them as two seperate systems.

thats what I meant