Jimmy Higgins

Hey, I've been using computers since I was 8, programming since 9. But now I've got a problem with the installation of Windows 2000 and hoping someone is online with the answer.

I've installed W2K twice. The first time on the same drive (C), as windows 98. At first, this seemed like a bad idea, but seeing I can only load 98 now, it was a great idea. I go through the install procedure to its completion. Then it tells me to take out the CD and it will reboot. When it does, it gives me an option between 98 and 2000. I choose 2000 and it will freeze at the 2000 startup window.

So I installed it a second time, after installing an 80 gig hard drive. So now the copy of Windows 2000 I'm trying to boot is on another drive (D) entirely. I get the same problem. If I choose to load up Windows 98 at the boot option, everything is fine and dandy.

I've got a 500 Mhz computer with 192 MB RAM, so I think I've got enough juice to run the system by far. I've also attempted to "repair" windows 2000, but that did nothing to help my problem.

Anyone have any ideas? I'll be checking in alot tonight.

semyaza

Silly, wild-assed guessing : it sounds like you might have a bad driver that is locking up the system on boot. Have you tried booting into safe mode? (Does Win2K have a safe mode? I've been usig XP Pro for quite a while now...)

MJones

You should consider getting rid of Win98 altogether. My suggestion is to back up the stuff you want to keep, and fdisk your drive, and install Win2K from scratch.

And yes, Win2K does have a safe mode. When it boots, you press F8, and you'll have several different kinds of safe mode, like with or without network support, command line, etc.

Dirty Dog

Jimmy Higgins

I so damn scared! However, I will remove Win 98 from this computer and Fdisk and see what happens. I do have another computer with win 95 that I can hook up to the net with... I think. But I'll need to put a modem back in it.

As for Safe Mode, that made no difference.

missus_gumby

Sounds to me like you will have to remove Win 98.

When you do the fdisk, add the switch /mbr - this will get rid of the master boot record. I reckon the install will be OK from there.

Martin

wade-w

You don't need to do an fdisk prior to installing win2k. The installation process itself will allow you to do that during the install. When you get to the screen that asks you what partition to install on, there is an option to delete the partition instead. Do that, then when it takes you back to that screen, it will have the original space listed as unpartitioned. Telll it to use that space. You will have to choose what file system you want to use, and let the install process format it before you proceed.

Jimmy Higgins

Thanks for the help. Windows 98 is gone, Windows 2000 is up and running. And now for the tally.

Problem was my monitor I believe. I have a 64 MB NVidia card in my computer. This software needed to be installed. I discovered this by desperately trying to do anything, such as F8'ing the VGA mode. This loaded up no prob. I deleted a thing, installed a thing, had a little trouble with my mice, but now all is well.

I did fdisk my C drive and installed again. But had the same ("monitor") problem. Windows 2000 is running nicely with 192+ MB ram. I think the 80 gig hard drive doesn't hurt. Boots faster than Windows 98 and time will tell about reliability, but from what I've had at work, I'll be happy.

Thanks for the help. It gave my problem a better definition and I was able to solve the problems. But now its time to load all my software again!