Should I Install 2000 on an old laptop?

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I have an old IBM ThinkPad 600X, with 64MB RAM and 448MHz Intel Pentium III
Processor.

It was originally a business laptop, running Windows NT 4, but was resold
with 98SE. I have a copy of 2000 Professional, which I had installed on
another computer, but that computer is no longer in use (HD failure), so I
can legally install 2000 on the laptop. My question is: should I?

I know the computer meets MS's requirements, but based on past experience, I
usually double those requirements. This laptop will only be used occasionally
for email, and Web browsing. Does anyone think my processor speed & RAM are
sufficient for this? Or should I just stick w/ 98SE? I prefer 2000, but I
don't want it to run too slowly.
 
Christopher Isherwood said:
I have an old IBM ThinkPad 600X, with 64MB RAM and 448MHz Intel Pentium III
Processor.

It was originally a business laptop, running Windows NT 4, but was resold
with 98SE. I have a copy of 2000 Professional, which I had installed on
another computer, but that computer is no longer in use (HD failure), so I
can legally install 2000 on the laptop. My question is: should I?

I know the computer meets MS's requirements, but based on past experience,
I
usually double those requirements. This laptop will only be used
occasionally
for email, and Web browsing. Does anyone think my processor speed & RAM
are
sufficient for this? Or should I just stick w/ 98SE? I prefer 2000, but I
don't want it to run too slowly.
Click to expand...

Win2000 will run but it will be very sluggish. You would get much
better performance with Win98 or with WinNT.
 
Assuming drivers are available it will work but probably continually page to
disk with 64 mB of RAM

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Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
I thought about NT when I got the laptop, but my PCMCIA wireless networking
card says it does not support NT. The card is a Linksys WPC54G ver. 2.

Are there any alternatives to the Linksys software that would work with this
card on Win NT?
 
Christopher Isherwood said:
I thought about NT when I got the laptop, but my PCMCIA wireless networking
card says it does not support NT. The card is a Linksys WPC54G ver. 2.

Are there any alternatives to the Linksys software that would work with
this
card on Win NT?
Click to expand...
If you add a 128 MB memory module (cheap on Ebay) the 600X will run Windows
2000 just fine. I run Windows 2000 on a 600E, less capable than your PC, and
it is good enough for web browsing and light computing.

Drivers are available for Windows 2000 and XP at
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/DSHY-3TLQ2L.html

I do not recommend getting on the web with Windows 98 or NT since security
updates from Microsoft ended some time ago. Sometimes IE6 doesn't play well
with Windows 98 which could force you back to an older version with possible
security issues.
 
I agree 98 and NT are not very secure anymore (well...98 never was but much
more-so now), but I do not feel like spending anymore money on this thing.
Its just too old for upgrading hardware to be worth it.

I have non-OEM copies of almost every version of Windows, with the exception
of XP (which is an OEM disc). NT is slightly more secure than 98, but I have
heard it is incompatible with the USB drive, which I use with an ethernet
adapter to connect to my home network on occasion (when I need to transfer a
large file for example), and my WiFi card software is supposed to be
incompatible with NT which is what I use most of the time to connect to the
Internet. I don't use the computer very often, and I do nothing that I need
to be fully secure for. I have a compatible version of firewall software and
AV software, and I can suffice with that.

I just find that, when I use the computer, it is slow (with the AV &
firewall running in the background), and that whenever I try to install
something (or plug in new hardware), I have tons of trouble. I don't usually
have the 98 CD when I need to plug in a Flash Drive or something like that,
and it asks me for it, and I have a hard time getting things to work with it.

NT would be faster, but it seems incompatible. If I can find an alternative
program to the Linksys software that would work with the Linksys WiFi PCMCIA
card, I would be allset. I would not need the USB support, because I could
load any files via CD or my network.

I just need an alternative WiFi app.
 
Christopher Isherwood said:
I agree 98 and NT are not very secure anymore (well...98 never was but much
more-so now), but I do not feel like spending anymore money on this thing.
Its just too old for upgrading hardware to be worth it.
Click to expand...

I would be willing to spend a few dollars on it if it were mine. You
presently have only the memory integrated into the motherboard, 64 MB. That
is the only thing that keeps the PC from running at an acceptable speed.
There are two open memory slots available. I found an Ebay auction for a 64
MB module for $6 delivered (item 170118151881). There is another auction for
the same item at the same price so for $12 you can get the PC ready for
Windows 2000.
I have non-OEM copies of almost every version of Windows, with the
exception
of XP (which is an OEM disc). NT is slightly more secure than 98, but I
have
heard it is incompatible with the USB drive, which I use with an ethernet
adapter to connect to my home network on occasion (when I need to transfer
a
large file for example), and my WiFi card software is supposed to be
incompatible with NT which is what I use most of the time to connect to
the
Internet. I don't use the computer very often, and I do nothing that I
need
to be fully secure for. I have a compatible version of firewall software
and
AV software, and I can suffice with that.
Click to expand...

It's surprising how a simple misstep can cause trouble. I got nailed with a
Trojan recently due to momentary inattentiveness. Even if you visit safe
sites, problems can occur.
I just find that, when I use the computer, it is slow (with the AV &
firewall running in the background), and that whenever I try to install
something (or plug in new hardware), I have tons of trouble. I don't
usually
have the 98 CD when I need to plug in a Flash Drive or something like
that,
and it asks me for it, and I have a hard time getting things to work with
it.
Click to expand...

You can copy the Win98 folder from the CD to the hard drive and point there
for files needed for new hardware.
NT would be faster, but it seems incompatible. If I can find an
alternative
program to the Linksys software that would work with the Linksys WiFi
PCMCIA
card, I would be allset. I would not need the USB support, because I could
load any files via CD or my network.

I just need an alternative WiFi app.
Click to expand...

Can't help you there.
 
Christopher Isherwood said:
I agree 98 and NT are not very secure anymore (well...98 never was but much
more-so now), but I do not feel like spending anymore money on this thing.
Its just too old for upgrading hardware to be worth it.

I have non-OEM copies of almost every version of Windows, with the exception
of XP (which is an OEM disc). NT is slightly more secure than 98, but I have
heard it is incompatible with the USB drive, which I use with an ethernet
adapter to connect to my home network on occasion (when I need to transfer a
large file for example), and my WiFi card software is supposed to be
incompatible with NT which is what I use most of the time to connect to the
Internet. I don't use the computer very often, and I do nothing that I need
to be fully secure for. I have a compatible version of firewall software and
AV software, and I can suffice with that.

I just find that, when I use the computer, it is slow (with the AV &
firewall running in the background), and that whenever I try to install
something (or plug in new hardware), I have tons of trouble. I don't usually
have the 98 CD when I need to plug in a Flash Drive or something like that,
and it asks me for it, and I have a hard time getting things to work with it.

NT would be faster, but it seems incompatible. If I can find an alternative
program to the Linksys software that would work with the Linksys WiFi PCMCIA
card, I would be allset. I would not need the USB support, because I could
load any files via CD or my network.

I just need an alternative WiFi app.
Click to expand...

If it were my computer, I'd install Windows '95 on it.
With 64MB RAM it'd run nicely ... and the driver you need is available for
Win '95.
 
I never had 95. My first Windows PC ran 3.1, which I upgraded to 98. I had
another computer that used to be a business computer that had NT 4. We bought
a computer in 2000 with Win 2000.

No Win 95.

I am considering looking at Frank's suggestion - buying RAM on ebay for
cheap. Then I would be able to install 2000 w/ no problem.
 
From the responses I have received in this thread and an XP thread, I think I
will upgrade my RAM to a little over 128MB and install 2000 Pro.

Thanks for all the help.
 
Sorry, I misinterpreted your original posting. When you said you had all
versions of Windows except for XP, I just assumed you had '95.

Upgrading RAM is a good solution. Windows 2000 will be a bit slow on the
P-III but it will otherwise run just fine. Good luck.
 
I'm current running Windows 2000 on an old laptop.

ThinkPad 560X
Pentium MMX 233 MHz
96 Megs RAM

the CPU is good enough, but you would probably do better with 128 Megs or
more of RAM for Windows 2000.

i only have 96 megs, and that is REALLY pushing it.
 
Xenomorph aka (e-mail address removed),after much thought,came up with this jewel:
I'm current running Windows 2000 on an old laptop.

ThinkPad 560X
Pentium MMX 233 MHz
96 Megs RAM

the CPU is good enough, but you would probably do better with 128
Megs or more of RAM for Windows 2000.

i only have 96 megs, and that is REALLY pushing it.
Click to expand...

I am running a compaq P2 233 with 160 ram and w2k works just fine.

max
"Christopher Isherwood"
Click to expand...



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