Hi everyone,

My PC is COMPAQ PRESARIO 7474.
I'm planning to change my OS from Win98 to Windows 2000(not from compaq). Is there anybody know if my current drivers compatible with the latter? If not, any advice which website or url I can get/download from. Thanks for help.

rbpij

Although Windows 2000 may look very similar to Windows 95 or Windows 98 on your screen, the way the software works and is put together is very different. For example, the parts of the software called drivers that allow you to use the hardware on your computer such as the monitor, the mouse, and your sound card are not the same.Moreover, the system that Windows 2000 uses to organize and keep track of the files on your computer is so different that other operating systems such as DOS and Windows 98 cannot access files stored using this system. Because of these and other differences, going back to Windows 95 or Windows 98 involves much more than simply removing or uninstalling Windows 2000.

Hope this helps.


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[This message has been edited by YODA74 (edited 06-28-2002).]

I wouldn't try it. Compaq's are one of the most proprietary brands going, and trying to install any OS but the one on the restore disk that came with the computer is likely to be trouble. You also might have trouble finding Compaq compatible drivers needed to get some hardware to work with win2000.

Next, Compaq has stored part of the BIOS on a hidden partition for a long time, and if that partition is removed, you no longer have a good portion of the BIOS. The Windows 2000 installation has an option to repartition all or part of the drive using either the NTFS file system or FAT32, your choice, and if it is allowed to remove the hidden partition you might have a big problem.

As far as hardware is concerned, you can check the M$ Hardware Compatibility List (http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/server/howtobuy/upgrading/compat/default.asp) to find out if all of your hardware is supported by Win2000.

If it were my system, I would stick with Win98, trying to go back to win98 if you have problems with win2000 might be a bigger headache than trying to fix any problems that already exist. Especially if you use NTFS.

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Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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One thing that I would consider is grabbing another drive, I have seen several places selling 30 to 40GB for around $50, that way you eitheer set it up to be a dual boot system or just try the new drive by itself.

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mjc
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Please Post Questions in the forums, not my email. Thanks

if you were to try a dual boot (win9x and win2k-winXP) you should be fine.

I did it on mine and have had NO problems- I usedPartition Magic 7 Pro to reverse the partitions sizes from (5) gigs to winXP/ 20 to win98se, to reversed that.

works fabulously.

hehe

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