Clean Install Win2K from Win98Se-USB Questions

[masica]

Current System:
Homebuilt PC, P4 1.6 GHz, ASUS P4B266-C mobo, 512 PC2100 DDR RAM, WD 7200 RPM 40 GB HDD, Plexwriter 40/12/40A CDRW, LiteOn 52X CDR, ATI Radeon 7200 32MB DDR AGP Graphics, SB Audigy MP3+ Sound Card, Samsung 17" SyncMaster 755DF monitor, HP OfficeJet 5510 All-In-One Printer, scanner, FAX, copier (USB), Creative WebCam (USB), D-Link DFE-530TX NIC. Win 98SE OS.

Because my Video is only 32MB and fewer games are being supported in Win98, I was thinking of getting a better video card and bumping up to Win2K. My budget is exremely limited. About all I can afford is a Gigabyte ATI Radeon 9550 w/128MB DDR RAM.

I've reformatted and reinstalled Win98SE a couple times so that's no great mystery or challenge. My question is this: Do I have to unplug/disconnect the USB devices before I install Win2K? When I got them, they have you install all the drivers and software, then at some point, they tell you to plug them in and complete the process. Do I have to do that again or can I leave them in place like a sound, video, or NIC card?

Another related question:

Win98SE uses FAT32 File Sytem. Win2K offers both FAT32 and NTFS. Which would be most compatable with a general use/gaming machine? My games run more to RPG/Adventure, not the latest FPS types. I like stuff like KOTOR, Knights Of The Temple, Morrowind, Star Wars series, Neverwinter Nights, Grom, Gothic I & II, Harbinger, etc. I thought I had read somewhere that some games (or many games) don't work well with NTFS. Opinions? Experiences?

Thanks in advance.

[mrmister1]

You cna leave them plugged in but whe Windows first boots it will say it found new hardware and will ask to install drivers. Just cancel it and install the drivers that came with the hardware.

Also, for the file system I would use NTFS. It is the newer file system over FAT32 and supports bigger partitions.

[glc]

Much as I do not like XP, I'd recommend that over Win2K for a gaming machine. 98SE is still a better gaming OS than 2K other than the stability issue. Definitely use NTFS no matter whether you install 2K or XP, and leave all your USB devices disconnected (unless they are simple devices such as mice and keyboards that have native OS support) until Windows is installed and your other drivers are installed. This means disconnect the Officejet and webcam. The reason for this is - a lot of USB devices require software be installed *before* plugging the device in.

[masica]

Okay, thanks. As a side question, why is that USB devices frequently have you install drivers and software before you plug into the USB port and finish up?


Another question: Why isn't Win2K as good a gaming OS as Win98SE and XP?

[mrmister1]

They ask you to install the drivers first, because if you plug the device in first Windows will detect it and install the drivers automatically.

[glc]

Not only that, but often there is no way to point the wizard to an installable driver unless you HAVE run the specified setup first - and if you cancel out of the driver install you may NEVER get the thing installed right. Been there, done that, too many times. Leave the stuff disconnected and install them after the fact EXACTLY as specified. There's a reason manufacturers give you installation instructions.

Win2K just does not benchmark well when it comes to high intensity graphics. It was not designed as a multimedia operating system. XP was a major improvement here and 98SE was never shabby.