Win2k Upgrade Requirements

  • Thread starter Thread starter Magnusfarce
  • Start date Start date
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Magnusfarce

I'm interested in bringing all of my software up to code, that is, getting
legitimate copies of pretty much everything. The operating system poses the
biggest problem. I'm a big fan of Win2k, partly because some of my machines
are older and are better able to tolerate the smaller overhead. My problem
is the cost of buying all the necessary software. Win2k, for instance, goes
for about $280 for each standalone package. I've researched the OEM market
and it doesn't seem worth all the question marks if my goal is to have
legitimate software.

What about upgrades? These go for less than $200 a pop, and I either have
or can get old OS disks if I need them. This may be a cost effective
compromise. Given that I am only interested in clean installs, I've got
some questions:

Would the upgrade version require me to actually install the older 95, ME,
or 98 (yuck) or would I be able to just insert the old OS CD when prompted?

Will old OEM OS's work to upgrade from?

If I end up getting more new upgrade packages than I have old OS's, where
can I get some that would be suitable? Or would I be able to upgrade each
new Win2k from the same original OS disk?

I know some of you will criticize me for looking for some cost shortcuts,
but I figure if MS gets $200 for each of these outdated OS's, they shouldn't
complain, especially when so many people have cloned copies laying around
that work flawlessly.

- Dimmerbane
 
:
| Would the upgrade version require me to actually install the older 95, ME,
| or 98 (yuck)
* No

or would I be able to just insert the old OS CD when prompted?
* Yes

| Will old OEM OS's work to upgrade from?
* As long as it isn't a restore CD-Rom

| If I end up getting more new upgrade packages than I have old OS's, where
| can I get some that would be suitable? Or would I be able to upgrade each
| new Win2k from the same original OS disk?
* Yes but not legally.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect
 
Re your answer to the last question, in what way would "not legally"
manifest itself?
 
I really wouldn't worry about it. But wouldn't that be the same effect as
installing one copy of Win98 (or whatever) on multiple pc's for which you
only have on license?

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect


:
| Re your answer to the last question, in what way would "not legally"
| manifest itself?
 
I see your point and would consider that a problem if I were going to
operate the computer using Win98, but using it merely as a stepping stone to
a newer OS for which I'm paying MS seems like a pretty small issue. I could
probably find a way to live with myself.

Hypothetically, of course. ;-)

- Magnusfarce
 
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