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Upgrading Win98 to Win2000


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Guest letterman@invalid.com
Posted

Has anyone successfully upgraded Win98se to Windows 2000?

If you did, were there any problems?

 

I am considering this. Of course I'll test it out on a backup copy of

my Win98 installation. I know the purists will say to start from a

fresh installation, but there is now way I will even consider

reinstalling 8 years of programs. If it dont work, I'll just stick

with 98.

 

-OR-

 

The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

 

thanks

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Guest Gary S. Terhune
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

Don't do either.

 

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://grystmill.com

 

<letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

news:ivegb4dnain9vs0i5dh8b1sq3ck8tv7ttj@4ax.com...

> Has anyone successfully upgraded Win98se to Windows 2000?

> If you did, were there any problems?

>

> I am considering this. Of course I'll test it out on a backup copy of

> my Win98 installation. I know the purists will say to start from a

> fresh installation, but there is now way I will even consider

> reinstalling 8 years of programs. If it dont work, I'll just stick

> with 98.

>

> -OR-

>

> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

> was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

> applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

>

> thanks

Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

 

<letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

news:ivegb4dnain9vs0i5dh8b1sq3ck8tv7ttj@4ax.com...

> Has anyone successfully upgraded Win98se to Windows 2000?

> If you did, were there any problems?

>

> I am considering this. Of course I'll test it out on a backup copy of

> my Win98 installation. I know the purists will say to start from a

> fresh installation, but there is now way I will even consider

> reinstalling 8 years of programs. If it dont work, I'll just stick

> with 98.

>

> -OR-

>

> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

> was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

> applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

>

> thanks

 

 

The chance of an upgrade from win98 to win2k actually working

right are pretty close to zero.

 

Though there are always a few folks who chime in that they've done it

and it works...Do you *really* want to gamble with your entire OS?

 

(I didn't think so.)

 

If you want to go to win2k, then install it on a *separate* partition

and dual boot. Though you will have to reinstall all of your apps.

it not going to be a big deal...just a bit time consuming...

however, by leaving your win98 installation in place

there will be no hurry to migrate over to win2k

so you can take your time an do it right.

 

The last time I performed such a migration.

it took me a few weeks...but by doing it when I had the time...

I was able to get it 100% right.

( I think I also had 8 years worth of apps )

 

If you insist on trying to upgrade win98 ==> win2k

it is *essential* that you clone your entire system first and test the

clone.

 

If not, you will probably be heading for disaster...

so my advice is to do it right and dual boot!

 

If you are not willing to do that, then just stay with win98...

(if it's working OK, no need to change things)

Guest Jeff Richards
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

Yes I have - many times - and there were no particular problems. However

these were machines with much less history than yours (typically under two

years) and they had been separately tested for compatibility with W2k and

had a full set of manufacturer-supported device drivers.

 

If you have a tested backup there's no reason you shouldn't try it - worst

outcome would be a wasted couple of hours.

 

It is not possible to move installed applications from one OS to the other.

However, if you install as a dual boot and add the applications as needed, I

can almost guarantee that you will discover you don't really use all of

those installed programs nearly as much as you think you do. In that case,

creating a clean W2k installation and booting into W98 as necessary becomes

feasible.

--

Jeff Richards

MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)

<letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

news:ivegb4dnain9vs0i5dh8b1sq3ck8tv7ttj@4ax.com...

> Has anyone successfully upgraded Win98se to Windows 2000?

> If you did, were there any problems?

>

> I am considering this. Of course I'll test it out on a backup copy of

> my Win98 installation. I know the purists will say to start from a

> fresh installation, but there is now way I will even consider

> reinstalling 8 years of programs. If it dont work, I'll just stick

> with 98.

>

> -OR-

>

> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

> was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

> applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

>

> thanks

Guest letterman@invalid.com
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 09:14:01 +1000, "Jeff Richards"

<JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote:

>Yes I have - many times - and there were no particular problems. However

>these were machines with much less history than yours (typically under two

>years) and they had been separately tested for compatibility with W2k and

>had a full set of manufacturer-supported device drivers.

>

>If you have a tested backup there's no reason you shouldn't try it - worst

>outcome would be a wasted couple of hours.

>

>It is not possible to move installed applications from one OS to the other.

>However, if you install as a dual boot and add the applications as needed, I

>can almost guarantee that you will discover you don't really use all of

>those installed programs nearly as much as you think you do. In that case,

>creating a clean W2k installation and booting into W98 as necessary becomes

>feasible.

 

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

I know this computer will handle Win2K because it came with 2K

installed. It was a tiny 10gig drive so I just plugged in a larger

drive that was a clone from my previous computer.

 

One thing I dont fully understand. All my programs are in program

files\xxxxxxx

If I install 2K on drive D: Leaving Win98 on C:, will a complete new

program files directory be created on D:, or will it use the same one

on C: (which seems like it could be troublesome).

 

I agree it cant hurt to try with a clone....

 

Thanks

Guest thanatoid
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

letterman@invalid.com wrote in

news:ivegb4dnain9vs0i5dh8b1sq3ck8tv7ttj@4ax.com:

> Has anyone successfully upgraded Win98se to Windows 2000?

> If you did, were there any problems?

>

> I am considering this. Of course I'll test it out on a

> backup copy of my Win98 installation. I know the purists

> will say to start from a fresh installation, but there is

> now way I will even consider reinstalling 8 years of

> programs. If it dont work, I'll just stick with 98.

>

> -OR-

>

> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual

> boot. But if I was to do this, is is possible to import

> all the installed applications from Win98 without

> reinstalling all of them?

>

> thanks

 

On my other computer, I have installed XP on E, leaving 98SELite

on C. There is a new program files directory on E, since

programs which write a lot of crap to the registry and put stuff

in the Windows directory will not work from their original

locations on the 98 C drive, since XP will only look into ITS

registry and ITS Windows directory - on the E drive.

 

Small programs which write nothing (except /perhaps/ uninstall

info) to the registry and do not put any files in ANY other

directories will work fine from the original drive, you'll just

have to create correct links, icons, start menus or whatever

suits you.

 

Also, like someone said, you may find 8 years of programs may

well be 50% stuff you will not need to use anymore. I have

noticed XP has quite a few things in it which I used to need to

use 3rd party utilities for. So may Win2000.

 

 

--

[from a recent conversation]

thanatoid: So why did you decide you needed broadband?

Neighbor: I wanted to read my e-mail faster.

Guest Jeff Richards
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

If you install W2K on D instead of C then this will be a new install, not an

upgrade.

 

A new program files directory will be created on the boot drive. The

structure of the program files directory on the old drive will be

maintained, but the problem is that there will be no registry entries for

these installed applications, and any references that are maintained to a

system folder will be to the C: drive (eg, C:\Windows\System) which will no

longer be the system folder. IMHO that is a greater recipe for disaster

than doing an upgrade.

--

Jeff Richards

MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)

<letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

news:g2chb4hbrvqfp8ianrnieo7p98mlm56aak@4ax.com...

> snip <

>

> Thanks to all for the suggestions.

> I know this computer will handle Win2K because it came with 2K

> installed. It was a tiny 10gig drive so I just plugged in a larger

> drive that was a clone from my previous computer.

>

> One thing I dont fully understand. All my programs are in program

> files\xxxxxxx

> If I install 2K on drive D: Leaving Win98 on C:, will a complete new

> program files directory be created on D:, or will it use the same one

> on C: (which seems like it could be troublesome).

>

> I agree it cant hurt to try with a clone....

>

> Thanks

Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

 

"Jeff Richards" <JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote in message

news:e9p13WnCJHA.3496@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> If you install W2K on D instead of C then this will be a new install, not

an

> upgrade.

>

> A new program files directory will be created on the boot drive. The

> structure of the program files directory on the old drive will be

> maintained, but the problem is that there will be no registry entries for

> these installed applications, and any references that are maintained to a

> system folder will be to the C: drive (eg, C:\Windows\System) which will

no

> longer be the system folder. IMHO that is a greater recipe for disaster

> than doing an upgrade.

 

 

 

Your advice here is deplorable and dangerous.

Sheesh! (shakes head)

 

If Win2k is installed (for example) on the D: drive it is, as you have

correctly stated...

a clean install. All applications will have to be reinstalled and they will

all end up

on the D: drive . You also got that part right.

 

What you also got right was that the applications installed on the C: drive

(Win98)

will not work on Win2k because there will be no registry entries.

(A few simple apps with no such registry entries would work though)

 

What you got horribly wrong was that it is a "recipe for disaster"

That is inexcusable advice!

 

Yes, all the apps will have to be reinstalled,

but that's the only way to do it right.

 

By attempting to upgrade win98 to win2k simply to avoid having to re-install

all the applications

is what is a "recipe for disaster". It's the "lazy man's" way to do things

and in the attempt to save some time...all the time saved *and more* will be

lost

if there is a problem...The chance of problems is prohibitively high,

while the chances of problemswith a fresh install is close to zero.

 

 

Again, if one really wanted to upgrade win98 to Win2k,

the only safe way to do so would be to not only properly "prep" the win98

installation

the entire install would also have to be cloned.

 

In the amount of time doing that,

one could have simply performed a fresh installation of win2k

on a *seperate partition* !

 

> Jeff Richards

> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)

> <letterman@invalid.com> wrote in message

> news:g2chb4hbrvqfp8ianrnieo7p98mlm56aak@4ax.com...

> > snip <

> >

> > Thanks to all for the suggestions.

> > I know this computer will handle Win2K because it came with 2K

> > installed. It was a tiny 10gig drive so I just plugged in a larger

> > drive that was a clone from my previous computer.

> >

> > One thing I dont fully understand. All my programs are in program

> > files\xxxxxxx

> > If I install 2K on drive D: Leaving Win98 on C:, will a complete new

> > program files directory be created on D:, or will it use the same one

> > on C: (which seems like it could be troublesome).

> >

> > I agree it cant hurt to try with a clone....

> >

> > Thanks

>

>

Guest dadiOH
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

letterman@invalid.com wrote:

> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

> was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

> applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

 

My experience with Win98 + WinXP when starting a program on the W98 drive

via XP...

 

1. An amazing number of programs work without problems. That would be

expected with "non-install" programs but the same is true of install

programs. In the case of the installed programs - ones that wrote needed

info to the directory - they will write again it to the new OS registry.

 

2. Programs that required registration will require it again. That info

will be written to the new OS registry.

 

3. If the program uses an external dll, ocx, etc. it will work if the

needed file(s) exist on the new OS drive and if the program can find them.

 

4. Some flat out won't work without installing on the new OS drive. Some

may not work there either because they are too old (for XP).

 

5. If you use the OS "uninstall" in add/remove programs it won't work unless

you boot to the drive with the OS registry that points to the uninstall

info.

 

6. To easily access the programs on the Win98 drive from the new OS one

can...

 

(a) put a shortcut to the old Start/Program folder in the new

Start/Program folder; clicking same opens it with explorer

 

-OR -

 

(b) create a new folder in the new OS Start/Program folder and copy all

the shortcuts in the Win98 Start/Programs folder to it

 

 

--

 

dadiOH

____________________________

 

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

Guest thanatoid
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

"dadiOH" <dadiOH@invalid.com> wrote in

news:e19ytjpCJHA.5316@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl:

> letterman@invalid.com wrote:

>

>> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual

>> boot. But if I was to do this, is is possible to import

>> all the installed applications from Win98 without

>> reinstalling all of them?

>

> My experience with Win98 + WinXP when starting a program on

> the W98 drive via XP...

>

> 1. An amazing number of programs work without problems.

> That would be expected with "non-install" programs but the

> same is true of install programs. In the case of the

> installed programs - ones that wrote needed info to the

> directory - they will write again it to the new OS

> registry.

>

> 2. Programs that required registration will require it

> again. That info will be written to the new OS registry.

 

<SNIP>

 

That's very interesting, I'm glad you posted, since as I

mentioned I am in the middle of a similar thing.

 

I DID try PageMaker 6.52 (from drive C) and was amazed that it

ran - not only FROM 'C' but also UNDER XP (I have read MANY

posts about how it doesn't and was under the impression - for

years - that PageMaker 7 was released solely because of XP,

which appears to have been wrong (then again, I just started it

and opened 1 publication and didn't do anything complicated - it

does have some modules which look like 3.1 stuff and it IS

possible some may not work).

 

AFA writing whatever is necessary into the "new" registry,

including the registration stuff, to my rather rigid way of

looking at things, I would just as soon reinstall the whole app

on E even though I don't /have to/. For one thing, if I ever

delete stuff on 'c'. I'm screwed. Second, it avoids "splitting

responsibilities" between the 2 OS's. And it keeps an anal-

retentive like me happier to do it this way.

 

Thanks for your comments.

 

 

--

[from a recent conversation]

thanatoid: So why did you decide you needed broadband?

Neighbor: I wanted to read my e-mail faster.

Guest thanatoid
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

thanatoid <waiting@the.exit.invalid> wrote in

news:Xns9B0A88E6471A7thanexit@66.250.146.158:

 

<SNIP>

> I DID try PageMaker 6.52 (from drive C) and was amazed that

> it ran - not only FROM 'C' but also UNDER XP (I have read

> MANY posts about how it doesn't and was under the

> impression - for years - that PageMaker 7 was released

> solely because of XP, which appears to have been wrong

> (then again, I just started it and opened 1 publication and

> didn't do anything complicated - it does have some modules

> which look like 3.1 stuff and it IS possible some may not

> work).

 

Just in case anyone cares, I played with it a little more and

there ARE parts which do not work - they are mostly plugins -

some quite useful - dating from 1996, but there may be more. The

BASICS work.

 

--

[from a recent conversation]

thanatoid: So why did you decide you needed broadband?

Neighbor: I wanted to read my e-mail faster.

Guest letterman@invalid.com
Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

On Sat, 30 Aug 2008 08:08:05 -0400, "dadiOH" <dadiOH@invalid.com>

wrote:

>letterman@invalid.com wrote:

>

>> The other option would be to install Win2000 as a dual boot. But if I

>> was to do this, is is possible to import all the installed

>> applications from Win98 without reinstalling all of them?

>

>My experience with Win98 + WinXP when starting a program on the W98 drive

>via XP...

>

>1. An amazing number of programs work without problems. That would be

>expected with "non-install" programs but the same is true of install

>programs. In the case of the installed programs - ones that wrote needed

>info to the directory - they will write again it to the new OS registry.

>

>2. Programs that required registration will require it again. That info

>will be written to the new OS registry.

>

>3. If the program uses an external dll, ocx, etc. it will work if the

>needed file(s) exist on the new OS drive and if the program can find them.

>

>4. Some flat out won't work without installing on the new OS drive. Some

>may not work there either because they are too old (for XP).

>

>5. If you use the OS "uninstall" in add/remove programs it won't work unless

>you boot to the drive with the OS registry that points to the uninstall

>info.

>

>6. To easily access the programs on the Win98 drive from the new OS one

>can...

>

> (a) put a shortcut to the old Start/Program folder in the new

>Start/Program folder; clicking same opens it with explorer

>

> -OR -

>

> (b) create a new folder in the new OS Start/Program folder and copy all

>the shortcuts in the Win98 Start/Programs folder to it

 

Thanks for the info.

 

There is one program in particular that I want to run from both OSs.

It's a very basic to-do list sort of thing, that I can pop onto the

screen and find out what I am supposed to de each day as far as

appointments, bills due, and other obligations. It's the type of

program that was unzipped to a directory and once the .exe file was

clicked, it ran. No installation needed. I'd hope that would work

because I do not want to have to enter my daily obligations twice and

try to maintain them so they both have the same list.

 

Then there are programs such as Winzip that seem senseless to have to

duplicate on two partitions, as well as my photo viewers. I also want

my email and newsgroups using the same software, so I dont have to

download and read email or newsgroups twice.

 

However, web browsers, and programs like WORD, can be installed for

each OS, as long as I can view the same .DOC files (which I know I

can).

 

On the other hand, if I run something like Photoshop, can I reinstall

it into Windows 2K, but still keep all the files on Drive C: (so there

is only one actual installation of it)? That's a large program that

uses a lot of drive space, so having only one installation would be

preferred. The question arises as this: Lets say I have Win98 on

Drive C: Win2K on Drive D: I have Photoshop installed at C:\program

files\photoshop. Aside from a complete second installation of it at

D:\program files\photoshop. Can I run the install of it (same

version), from Windows 2K for the same installation on C:, without

screwing up the settings for Win98? That's the part I dont

understand......

 

Thanks

Posted

Re: Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

 

letterman@invalid.com wrote:

> There is one program in particular that I want to run from both OSs.

> It's a very basic to-do list sort of thing, that I can pop onto the

> screen and find out what I am supposed to de each day as far as

> appointments, bills due, and other obligations. It's the type of

> program that was unzipped to a directory and once the .exe file was

> clicked, it ran. No installation needed. I'd hope that would work

> because I do not want to have to enter my daily obligations twice and

> try to maintain them so they both have the same list.

 

Even if you had to have the program itself duplicated on each OS drive

(unlikely) there would be no reason to duplicate its data (your list) as

long as that data was kept on a drive formatted so both OS could read it

(FAT32).

_______________

> Then there are programs such as Winzip that seem senseless to have to

> duplicate on two partitions, as well as my photo viewers. I also want

> my email and newsgroups using the same software, so I dont have to

> download and read email or newsgroups twice.

 

I think you'll find that you rather rapidly begin using one OS almost

exclusively. That was true in my case so the XP drive is where I keep my

mail. If I wanted to also access the same mail from Win98 I would have to

store it on the FAT32 drive (Win98) as my XP drive is formatted in NT (one

can read/write FAT32 from NT but not vice versa). If I wanted to have the

same mail in both OSs it would be simple enough for me to change my XP

reader's storage location to the same storage location as that of the Win98

reader and to move all data files there.

________________

> On the other hand, if I run something like Photoshop, can I reinstall

> it into Windows 2K, but still keep all the files on Drive C: (so there

> is only one actual installation of it)? That's a large program that

> uses a lot of drive space, so having only one installation would be

> preferred. The question arises as this: Lets say I have Win98 on

> Drive C: Win2K on Drive D: I have Photoshop installed at C:\program

> files\photoshop. Aside from a complete second installation of it at

> D:\program files\photoshop. Can I run the install of it (same

> version), from Windows 2K for the same installation on C:, without

> screwing up the settings for Win98? That's the part I dont

> understand......

 

I have no idea if that specific program will run from your C: drive if

started via Win2K. If it does it will undoubtedly make necessary entries in

the Win2K registry; doing that has no effect on the program if you later run

it from your Win98 drive.

 

 

--

 

dadiOH

____________________________

 

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico


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