Windows 2000 to Windows 98
Discussion
Hi Everyone,
I have recently installed Windows 2000 on my machine, and regret it.
is there any way I can go back to Windows 98???
All the websites I can find say "Format the hard drive". I don't want to do this, as I will loose a lot of information and photos.
Is there any other way?
Oh, can everyone reply with an Idiots guide, please. I may know about cars, but little grey boxes???
I know nothing!!!
many thanks in advance
Will
I have recently installed Windows 2000 on my machine, and regret it.
is there any way I can go back to Windows 98???
All the websites I can find say "Format the hard drive". I don't want to do this, as I will loose a lot of information and photos.
Is there any other way?
Oh, can everyone reply with an Idiots guide, please. I may know about cars, but little grey boxes???
I know nothing!!!
many thanks in advance
Will
Well heres my 0.02$..
Simplest way would be to format the hard drive and do a clean install of 98. Back up your files to CD-R first and copy back on afterwards.
However, if you simply can't back everything up, then you could try partitioning your hard drive and installing 98 on the partition, then copying the files back over from the 2000 partition. (Or if your hard drive is looking full, buy a new hard drive, format and install 98 on that and set it up as the boot drive.)
This affords you the luxury of having 2 O/S's on the PC - when you boot up you choose which one you want to run.
You can do all this manually from within Win2000. However a copy of a program like 'PartionMagic' or similar would make it far simpler if you aren't a computer buff.
The problem is that a copy of Win98 will recognise the 2000 install as a later version of windows, and you won't be allowed to intall over a newer version. (There might be a way to get round this, but I don't think it would be advisable as it won't uninstall 2000 for you.)
Simplest way would be to format the hard drive and do a clean install of 98. Back up your files to CD-R first and copy back on afterwards.
However, if you simply can't back everything up, then you could try partitioning your hard drive and installing 98 on the partition, then copying the files back over from the 2000 partition. (Or if your hard drive is looking full, buy a new hard drive, format and install 98 on that and set it up as the boot drive.)
This affords you the luxury of having 2 O/S's on the PC - when you boot up you choose which one you want to run.
You can do all this manually from within Win2000. However a copy of a program like 'PartionMagic' or similar would make it far simpler if you aren't a computer buff.
The problem is that a copy of Win98 will recognise the 2000 install as a later version of windows, and you won't be allowed to intall over a newer version. (There might be a way to get round this, but I don't think it would be advisable as it won't uninstall 2000 for you.)
Question is, why do you regret it? If it's because you don't find it as stable (unlikely, in my experience, but possible) then go to XP.
I'm NOT a Microsoft lover but my experience is that, for the average user, XP is the most stable Micro$ OS yet. It also runs games much better than Win2k too, if that's the problem...
I'm NOT a Microsoft lover but my experience is that, for the average user, XP is the most stable Micro$ OS yet. It also runs games much better than Win2k too, if that's the problem...
98 is the version of Windows I tell everybody to avoid! (and NT for home use unless you are an IT whizz).
Two of us were using Win 95 on laptops, the other laptop was upgraded to 98. It was absolutely horrible. Blue screens a lot of the time. I stayed on 95 and had a relatively trouble free time.
When 2K came out we tried it and both breathed a sigh of relief at the improved reliability. 95 or 2K; but not 98 !
I went XP 11 months ago and it's definitely the most reliable version of Windows I've used. Extra features are worth having. Admin is very much easier. I'd hate to have to back to an earlier version.
Two of us were using Win 95 on laptops, the other laptop was upgraded to 98. It was absolutely horrible. Blue screens a lot of the time. I stayed on 95 and had a relatively trouble free time.
When 2K came out we tried it and both breathed a sigh of relief at the improved reliability. 95 or 2K; but not 98 !
I went XP 11 months ago and it's definitely the most reliable version of Windows I've used. Extra features are worth having. Admin is very much easier. I'd hate to have to back to an earlier version.
I'm also just about to go from Windows ME to 98 - Epson don't make a driver for my scanner (GT5000) and it is cheaper to go back rather than buy a new scanner. Will be buying a whole new system soon but I have other financial priorities at the moment. Unless anyone can find me a driver for my scanner.
quote:
Unless anyone can find me a driver for my scanner.
Always worth trying the 2000 driver if you can't find a suitable ME one.
{checks website}
www.epson.co.uk/cgi-bin/epson-uk/scandriveruk.pl
Oh. No 2000 driver either. Bad luck
98 works fine for me, i've used it since it came out.
I use 2000 or Xp at work and both are ok but 2000 is the most compatible with all our hardware, we had to get endless patches and driver upgrades to get standard software and hardware to work in xp.
ME should be renames satanware as it is by far the most flakey and unreliable piece of crap I've ever encountered.
I use 2000 or Xp at work and both are ok but 2000 is the most compatible with all our hardware, we had to get endless patches and driver upgrades to get standard software and hardware to work in xp.
ME should be renames satanware as it is by far the most flakey and unreliable piece of crap I've ever encountered.
BigM - have you tried the 98 driver ?
A lot of my vintage kit uses old drivers under Win 2K (my desktop PC), it all works fine. Only kit that was a problem was UMAX Astra scanner which required proprietory SCSI card (i.e. not SCSI). This card only worked because of a few back doors available in Win 95 which were closed under 2K.
It's definitely worth a go and you can always uninstall it if it doesn't work.
A lot of my vintage kit uses old drivers under Win 2K (my desktop PC), it all works fine. Only kit that was a problem was UMAX Astra scanner which required proprietory SCSI card (i.e. not SCSI). This card only worked because of a few back doors available in Win 95 which were closed under 2K.
It's definitely worth a go and you can always uninstall it if it doesn't work.
I use a product called VMWare Workstation which exploits a feature of the x86 processor, namely the ability to run more than one operating system at the same time. Really at the same time, not one at a time as in a dual boot system.
You need a reasonably powerful machine to start with, but this allows you to install extra 'guest' operating systems on top of a host operating system. For example, I only have one PC running XP Pro, but within that I have a real RedHat 7.3 linux system for development purposes, and a 98 system to allow me to use my scanner. Whenever I want to run either of the guest operating systems, it's just a case of clicking the appropriate desktop icon and running the second operating system in a window. You can run as many as you want concurrently, and it has no effect on anything else running on the PC at the time, apart from increased load of course. VMWare takes care of all the hardware sharing between the operating systems, and even networking works OK. At work we have a server with various linuxes, 95, 95OSR2, 98, 98SE, ME, NT 3.51, NT4 and 2000 Pro all installed as guests on a big Windows 2000 server for software testing.
I mention this not as a solution for the average user, but for power users or techies, it is an excellent alternative to lots of hardware for multiple platforms. It is also a good way of continuing to use old peripherals that aren't supported in modern operating systems, or running old games that don't work anymore. It is far better than a dual boot system because you can run two or more OS's at once.
You need a reasonably powerful machine to start with, but this allows you to install extra 'guest' operating systems on top of a host operating system. For example, I only have one PC running XP Pro, but within that I have a real RedHat 7.3 linux system for development purposes, and a 98 system to allow me to use my scanner. Whenever I want to run either of the guest operating systems, it's just a case of clicking the appropriate desktop icon and running the second operating system in a window. You can run as many as you want concurrently, and it has no effect on anything else running on the PC at the time, apart from increased load of course. VMWare takes care of all the hardware sharing between the operating systems, and even networking works OK. At work we have a server with various linuxes, 95, 95OSR2, 98, 98SE, ME, NT 3.51, NT4 and 2000 Pro all installed as guests on a big Windows 2000 server for software testing.
I mention this not as a solution for the average user, but for power users or techies, it is an excellent alternative to lots of hardware for multiple platforms. It is also a good way of continuing to use old peripherals that aren't supported in modern operating systems, or running old games that don't work anymore. It is far better than a dual boot system because you can run two or more OS's at once.
My resons foe wanting Windows 98 back are as follows:
On start up, when I press (F8??) to get to the start up page, it ignores me and carries on. Yes, my keyboard is connected properly. I cannot partician the Hard drive as I know how
I have to log in. Its my own personal computer, and there is nothing on there that is secret. But I cannot find out how to switch it off. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance just the same
When I switch off and shut down, my PC closes down, then goes straight into start-up mode again. Its exactly the same as me choosing re-start. I have an push/push switch on the front of the PC, and this does'nt seem to make a difference.
Therefore I have to unplug the thing. I'm sure this is not good for it.
Some software (OK, I'll admit it. My Le Mans game) does'nt work on it, and I cannot find a patch.
These may seem minor, but i never had any problems with my Windows 98. I switched on, and off we went.
Ahhh, simple days...
On start up, when I press (F8??) to get to the start up page, it ignores me and carries on. Yes, my keyboard is connected properly. I cannot partician the Hard drive as I know how
I have to log in. Its my own personal computer, and there is nothing on there that is secret. But I cannot find out how to switch it off. A minor annoyance, but an annoyance just the same
When I switch off and shut down, my PC closes down, then goes straight into start-up mode again. Its exactly the same as me choosing re-start. I have an push/push switch on the front of the PC, and this does'nt seem to make a difference.
Therefore I have to unplug the thing. I'm sure this is not good for it.
Some software (OK, I'll admit it. My Le Mans game) does'nt work on it, and I cannot find a patch.
These may seem minor, but i never had any problems with my Windows 98. I switched on, and off we went.
Ahhh, simple days...
The requirement to sign into W2K can be bypassed I just cant remember how. I think you have to either flick a flag on your user profile or delete all other users but you.
F8 on W2K gets you into advanced start up? If you are looking to create a partition try:
My Computer>Manage>Disk Administrator.
The shutdown thing is in your BIOS, its a switch probably in the advanced CMOS settings page.
W2K should run all software designed to run on 98 including games as GDI+ introduced DirectX capabillity to NT. Unless of course its a DOS based game, and as there is no DOS in W2K but emulation it may be a limitation.
You could always dual boot between 98 and W2K
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Tuesday 10th September 13:00
>> Edited by plotloss on Tuesday 10th September 13:07
F8 on W2K gets you into advanced start up? If you are looking to create a partition try:
My Computer>Manage>Disk Administrator.
The shutdown thing is in your BIOS, its a switch probably in the advanced CMOS settings page.
W2K should run all software designed to run on 98 including games as GDI+ introduced DirectX capabillity to NT. Unless of course its a DOS based game, and as there is no DOS in W2K but emulation it may be a limitation.
You could always dual boot between 98 and W2K
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Tuesday 10th September 13:00
>> Edited by plotloss on Tuesday 10th September 13:07
quote:
When I switch off and shut down, my PC closes down, then goes straight into start-up mode again. Its exactly the same as me choosing re-start. I have an push/push switch on the front of the PC, and this does'nt seem to make a difference.
Not a Dell, is it? I've seen loads of them do that!
{editied to add...} And sometimes clicking on 'restart' would shut them down.
>> Edited by pdv6 on Tuesday 10th September 13:09
quote:
The requirement to sign into W2K can be bypassed I just cant remember how. I think you have to either flick a flag on your user profile or delete all other users but you.
F8 on W2K gets you into advanced start up? If you are looking to create a partition try:
My Computer>Manage>Disk Administrator.
The shutdown thing is in your BIOS, its a switch probably in the advanced CMOS settings page.
W2K should run all software designed to run on 98 including games as GDI+ introduced DirectX capabillity to NT. Unless of course its a DOS based game, and as there is no DOS in W2K but emulation it may be a limitation.
You could always dual boot between 98 and W2K
Matt.
Will XP also run all 98 software?
quote:
Will XP also run all 98 software?
I've had problems getting the right drivers for modems (had to buy a new modem) DVD still haven't got one (Anyone know where I can get drivers for an NEC DVD player I'd be most gratefull (have tried NEC page and MS))
Other than that I've had no problems running 98 software
quote:
Will XP also run all 98 software?
Eli,
Most of it. Again its programs that were originally written for DOS that cause the problem. DOS was eliminated at W2k/Me (effectively the same GUI with different engines). However with XP came a decent DOS emulator that will allow you to start different programs in different modes. You can instruct a program to execute in standard, 9x and DOS modes I think (dont have XP anymore) so if it doesnt work in standard select a different emulation mode and if it doesnt work in either of those two then it probably wont run.
Ben,
Does the DVD not work at all under XP even using a generic DVD driver?
Matt.
Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff