Upgrading Win98 to Win2000

[letterman@invalid.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

 

[Gary S. Terhune]

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

 

[philo]

<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)

 

[Jeff Richards]

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

 

[letterman@invalid.com]

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

 

[thanatoid]

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.

 

[Jeff Richards]

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

 

[philo]

"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
>
>

 

[dadiOH]

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

 

[thanatoid]

"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.

 

[thanatoid]

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.

 

[letterman@invalid.com]

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

 

[dadiOH]

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