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General discussion

Win 2000 Pro

Dec 10, 2003 4:01AM PST

I want to upgrade to and install Win 2000 Pro. I am currently running Win 98. To install am I going to have to reformat my hard drive or can I install over Win 98.

If I have to reformat what files other then my data (my documents), favorites, and zip should I back up before installing?

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Or what are you risking here?
Dec 10, 2003 4:57AM PST

A lesson I don't like seeing people learn firsthand is that hard disks are terrible places to keep what you can't lose. Installing an OS just increases the risk factor that all will vanish by a number between 100 and up over normal risk numbers.

I just did some 2000 upgrade last week for instance and it went smoothly (YMMV!) and for me, all I needed to fix after was to go get audio, video drivers and install an updated antivirus. I still need to install some CD Recording software...

Remember, you only lose what you don't protect.

Bob

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Upgrading Acer Travelmate 313T from Win98SE to Windows 2000
Jan 25, 2006 11:55AM PST

Acer says hey don't have drivers (audio, video, toufhpad, etc.) for Win 2000. AmI out of luck?

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(NT) (NT) Most likely.
Jan 25, 2006 12:07PM PST
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It depends
Jan 26, 2006 1:46AM PST

Before you start try checking out to see what if any support might be available though other paths. While I don't know the specific laptop yopu have I have found most sound cards aren't a problem, video may be depening on the chipset it's an ATI video chipset then most likely trouble, nvidia good chance you can get drives from their web site to work. The touch pad may be able to generic drivers. I have found that the native device support in XP is better than it was in 2000 so if the processor and ram are up to an XP upgrad you might want to consider that as another alternative.

As far as any OS upgrade I always think it's better to wipe teh disk then do a clean install I've seen too many problems migrate with OS upgrades that were taken care of with a clean install.