XP Home on a new machine...

Is it possible to install w/W2k?

[pendanticist]

I have the full monty of 2000 Profressional, including the Resource Kit book and software. I register all my software and keep everything up-to-date.

I've had this OS since they gave it to me in college and have found it to be very, very dependable and as such, hate to simply abandon it.

Problem is, this ole Compaq Presario has been upgraded as much as she can stand. New processor (whopping 550Mhz) a couple of years ago along with the maximum ram allowed (system): 392K (PC-133? I think).

The (20G) Maxtor is four years old and just as quiet now as it was day one. Realistically, I think I'm about reaching the limitations for life (read/write) expectancy on it, but it should provide years more service slaved off that 40G, eh?

Don't do games, but I really need a bigger, better, more faster machine and I don't see the prices coming down much more...do you?

The new $498.00 machine:

Intel Celeron Processor at 2.4 GHz
HP Pavilion A305w-b PC
HP Pavilion V72 17-inch CRT monitor bundle Computer Solution (16 inches viewable on monitor)
Mobile
40 GB Ultra DMA hard drive
256 MB DDR-SDRAM
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics with up to 64 MB shared memory
Memory speed 2100 MB per second

I'm not the least bit interested in the software, keyboard, mouse or monitor (I'll stick with my 19" AOC).

The box (in the store) makes the statement to the effect that the OS 'must' be compatible with XP Home.(?)

Online it states the OS is XP Home. In fact, the site does have machines (in another section) w/o an OS.

Same price in store as online.

That minor OS discrepency aside, is it possible to replace XP Home with 2000, without a whole lotta hassle?

I'm not too worried about the warranty either. Any alterations I would make (if purchased/gifted) won't occur until I'm assured the hardware functions well.

Appreciate any comments. :)

Thanks.

Pendanticist.

[bill]

I'd pay a few more dollars and get XP Pro and then you'd be getting an upgrade.

The best way to replace XP Home would be to format the HD..that wipes everything...and then install Win2K clean. Installing over the existing OS probably won't be a good idea.

[pendanticist]

Yeah, I see your point there, Bill. However, if memory serves me correctly, there is still quite a bit of support time remaining on 2K and to 'upgrade' to XP PRO means the abandonment of 2K.

I was gifted an HP NetServer E45 (NT4) awhile back and I'm thinking of using it for off-machine storage (etc.), if I don't just slave it off the 40G. master.

I'm also going to LAN the whole thing once I shift this machine down for my Honey to use. Her old Dell has about had it - as have I with propriatary machines. ;) She'll get the new monitor and kb too.

This whole thing stems from the need to have my back-ups off my machine. How I do that is the question.

Staying with old machine:

Do I buy a DVD burner and burn bootable back-ups?

Is the HP NetServer the other option? Put in a couple of 10G drives and send my back-ups there?

This machine is maxed out as far as life-expectancy is concerned. Purchased around 9/97 and upgrades mentioned earlier.

I do have a brand new 20G Maxtor all set up with 2K and all MS software including FP. All critical updates are in place for MS, Viral Protection and the firewall. That's my spare. Figured if I ever ran into a problem - swapping them out would be pretty easy and downtime minimalized.

I've reformatted the current drive twice before, so that's no longer as intimidating as it first was. :0

Pendanticist.