Windows XP downgrading to WIN2K experiences

06-18-03 | Dale Chiusano

[dalec]

After researching the Good the Bad and the Ugly about Windows XP and reading all the horror stories from users about the product activation, security holes, installation restrictions, Passport privacy violations etc I decided to blow away Windows XP off the two new state of the art Powerspec PCs that I just purchased from a large chain Computer OEM distributer and install WIN2K. The PCs were both working fine and but based on what I was reading I could see trouble ahead. Apparently Microsoft did not get the message even after 8 years of litigation with the Justice Dept. They have gone from bad to worse. Windows XP represents everything I can't stand about Microsoft. Windows 2K on the other hand still would allow me to control the PC the way I like to the most part, and reprentes the lesser of two evils.

My experiences performing this downgrade were very interesting. First, I could hardly even find a vendor willing to sell WIN2K to a private users. I found one for $175 and bought my own copy. I installed it over the XP blowing that bloated operating system away and now I was back in business. At least I thought so. Problems mounted. First the video drivers didn't work and I had to run back to the computer store to get the WIN2K drivers. Then the Zip drive didn't work with the USB port and neither IOMEGA nor the store could figure how to get it to work. I gave up and had the store install an internal IOMEGA disk drive. That worked fine. Next, I tried to get connected to the Internet and found the Modem which worked with XP didn't with WIN2K. I went back to the computer store and got the so called WIN2K drivers, tried them out that evening and they didn't work. I replaced the internal modems with external U.S. Robotics modems reinstalled the harware using the existing drivers supplied with WIN2K and it worked. Finally, the Internet software supplied by Earthlink called Total Access 2003 didn't work with WIN2K and I had to created a manual dial up connection. Finally, after two weeks of hassle I was up and running on Windows 2000. Its worth it in the long run rather than sticking with Windows XP and being hostage to Microsoft's insane software policies

I wonder if any users out there have had similar experiences downgrading from WINDOWS XP to Windows 2000

[Mr. K]

What you say is true about the drivers- but Win2K is without a doubt the single best operating system Microsoft ever made.


I deleted winXP for win2K and liked how my machine ran afterwards much better thank you.

[AppyPappy]

Get the drivers off the internet instead of going to the store. I've installed hundreds of copies of Win2K and never had a problem.

[goldstategop]

You should have waited to get Lindows 4.0. It will be out sometime this month. It surpasses Windows XP and has the ease of use of Windows with the rock solid reliability of Linux. Way better than Windows2K.

[thewah]

can you find win2k on line?

[AppyPappy]

Probably but you can find the drivers online.

[goldstategop]

hehehe... you can get em on Ebay. On the other hand, if you want bootleg "warez" software, install it at your risk.

[dalec]

Tried that, the drivers on line didn't work either. The modem was some free trade piece of junk from China.

[ShaggyBrown]

You can't expect MS to support downgrading your OS. If you want to do that, you need to start from a clean install. You'll also need to get the full version of Windows 2000. Owning Windows XP does not entitle you to the Windows 2000 Upgrade version. If you try to use an upgrade version of Windows 2000, you'll need to make sure you comply with those requirements, whatever they may be.

[bobwoodard]

I installed it over the XP blowing that bloated operating system away and now I was back in business.

I'm not up on XP, does it install to a different system folder than 2K?

The reason I ask is that I would be concerned about 2K trying to use XP system files.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Switching from XP to W2K Pro is real easy, but make sure you install Service Pack 2 or 3 for W2K Pro and that should solve most of the problems. You may have to download drivers from certain devices, but the overall performance of your computer should go UP!!

[KC Burke]

I'm still running Win98 4.10 on the home machine. I've thought about finding the 2000 NT version and upgrading to it. What are your thoughts about that?

[PMCarey]

When you say that you installed Win2k over WinXP, does that mean you didn't do a clean install? That could be a large source of trouble right there.

[goldstategop]

Get Lindows 4.0. If you don't use dialup, it will work with broadband and is a wonderful replacement for Windows 98. Its cheaper than even Windows XP!

[Lazamataz]

I have had almost no problems with XP. I needed either XP or WIN2k because I'm a .NET programmer, and I take a lot of my work home. I just so happened to end up on XP and I have had almost zero problems, including being able to run old WIN95 games (in, obviously, compatibility mode...)

No lockups (well, two that I can recall), never a BSOD... what is your problem with XP?

[Woodman]

True, you should make sure to install all of the updates and service packs while they are still available. At some point they will no longer be available and then if you lose a hard drive or get into some un-bootable situation you will no longer be able to get past the original install. The original install is full of more holes than XP ever was.

[rdb3]

[Lazamataz]

When you say that you installed Win2k over WinXP, does that mean you didn't do a clean install? That could be a large source of trouble right there.

Big time. I think XP still runs a DOS kernal, whereas 2000 is a straight 'clean' OS from the metal to the keyboard.

[Lazamataz]

Well, WIN2000 is still pretty supported. He doesn't have to worry yet.

[goldstategop]

Today you have YOUR choice of user friendly Linux desktop distros: Lindows, Xandros, ElxLinux, Mandrake, Lycoris... the possibilities are limitless! Why do you have to stick with ol' crashing Windows? ;-)