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I have an old Dell Pentium 2, 450mhz, 128 mb ram with windows 98. Most hardware upgrades(CD-r mentioned in a pervious post) I have found require WIN 98SE or higher. Should I upgrade to WIN 98SE or just go to WIN 2000 on that system? Which is an easier upgrade from a novices' standpoint? Should I upgrade the memory before I go with 2000? If so how much more should I add? Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks
Joe
Hi Joe,
98 is easier to install and use for a novice.
More RAM is better but 128 should be OK.
Depends on what apps you run; and how many at once.
M2
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First thing I'd do is go to the Dell website and see if there are any drivers/updates for w2000 listed there.
W2000 may be a little slow on that computer.
You must realize, that Whinedoz 2000 is NOT related to the "rest" of Windows.
DOS, W95/98/98SE/Me are all related, all DOS "underneath."
Whambox "NT" 2K, and X tra P utrid are all "NT" (New Technology) and are different.
They are as different as a gasoline powered pickup truck is from a diesel.
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i would go for 2k myself it ie much easyer to set up than 98 much much easyer no command lines or anyting
yes it will be slow but if you turn off all unneeded servicesand dont run anyting in the background like all the rubish you get with sum systems in the systemtray they it will be fine and you will motice the difference in stability
Have you considered winows NT
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joya,
I don't know why you think w2k is easier to set up.
It will often take a first time user sveral tries.
And when you say NT, I guess you mean NT4 or earlier.
M2
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I doubt that an inexperienced user would find that setting up any of the NT systems, including W2k, is "easier" than 98, and in most cases with "older" or borderline hardware, just finding useable drivers can be a real challenge.
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installation apart, if speed is a main concern, for a home user I'd say win98 is the best OS M$ ever made. With 128MB ram you are safe enough unless individual applications demand more. I was running 98 for 3 years on a 64MB machine. And I was quite happy with that.
If stability is a concern like for office use, I'd very strongly recommand Win 2k. Its soild like a rock. I have never seen my win2k hang ever while I had it. Its slow, but its steady. btw if you are looking to play games then 2k is out. Hardly any or no support.
Good Luck and Happy Computing,
Kailas Shastry,
2000+ u/c to 1700+, No thermal paste :
DDR 256MB
10.2GB Samsung SV1022D
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Thanks to all.
It looks like 98se.
The last post really helped make up my mind.
Games are a consideration, the kids PLAY on the PC more than me.
If anyone has more to add it's appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe
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Persoanly if I was in your situation, I'd trash the idea of getting 98SE or 2KPro and get ME, since it's just 98SE with 2K's numerous vacuos features.
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vacuos???
Since he said his kids play more games, I'd think 98se would be a much better choice (especially if those are DOS-style games his kids are playing...) WinME was a disaster for M$ and most of those who comitted to it...
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I'd never put ME.
M$ tried to make a bridge OS bet the 9x and XP and what happened was that it was a mere skin over 98, with more hangups and not much features. god knows why - DOS access was restricted, taking away the saviour for troubleshooters - scanreg /restore.
Good Luck and Happy Computing,
Kailas Shastry,
2000+ u/c to 1700+, No thermal paste :
DDR 256MB
10.2GB Samsung SV1022D
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I agree with Kailas, I would never put ME on my computer. I run Windows 98SE and absolutely love it. I play many games and have never had a problem.
Smiles!Casinowoman
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Here's my 2 cents...
Avoid ME like the plague.
98se was a great improvement, over 98 and 95. Good for games and a bit more stable. Should run great on your system. Take the usual precautions (AV firewall etc) you'll be fine.
Win2k -- Bloody Awesome OS... I've had it on a 650Mhz gateway for almost 4 years and I've crashed it 3 times... It is okay for games BUT the best part is being able to set up Admin and basic user accounts so the kids will be LESS likely to cock it all up.
that being said, you going to 2K you should put as much ram into your machine as you can force... My 650 athlon runs great... but then it has 640MB of ram in it!!
So if you are looking for a workhorse go with 2k.
Easy? 98se...They are both going to be about the same to install... but 2k will require a bit more handholding to run at its full potential.
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"vacuos???"
Sorry, I missed a U (lol, how ironic).
Anyway, all you need is a hack to get DOS functionality back in ME and then you've got 98SE on your computer with the added benefit of a few crap NT-like features you get in 2000 as well as an semi-imporve interface.
DOS games work in it perfectly fine. Sure, the rather retarded system restore obtrusive mannor is there as well as the fact you can't uninstall media player an dmovie maker, but, in all honesty, who gives a smeg? I've got it instale don a craptop at work that I have hidden in my draw. I use it to play a large mannor of games, most of which are DOS based and they all seem to work perfectly okay.
2KPro sucks monkey balls on older computers. Although I'd still recomend it over the extra pants XP anyday.
Slim Vision
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I have the same Dell configuration as you and have had to consider an upgrade of operating system recently. In my case it was a desperate move since too many unnecessary updates and programs had made the computer seriously unstable.
I chose to upgrade to Windows 98SE, and from what I can see operating systems for Windows 98 and earlier are now dead - although I still use a DOS based CAD system at work!
I think that your own personal use determines where you want with upgrades. There's no point getting an upgrade because it's there. A number of my friends have gone to the latest state, but don't really use the extra capabilities. Apart from my need for a clean system, I bought a few new peripherals and it's clear that they don't go further back than Windows 98SE.
You may well have to upgrade your drivers for certain peripherals and software. You will need to check this out. If it works okay, then I would say don't touch it. If it doesn't then look for a Windows 98SE driver.
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