Appendix A. Installing Windows 2000 Professional

If you're on a corporate network, someone else probably handles Windows 2000 installations; you can skip this appendix (and the delightful experience of in- stalling a new operating system). And if you've just bought a new computer with Windows 2000 computer preinstalled, you're similarly excused from reading the following pages.

But if you're upgrading your machine from an earlier version of Windows, read on to determine whether your computer is up to the Windows 2000 challenge and how to plan your installation. (And if you're reinstalling Windows 2000, skip straight to "Prepping Your System" on Section A.2.4.)

UP TO SPEED : Help with Upgrading and Compatibility

In addition to the Hardware Compatibility List (Section 16.1), Microsoft maintains Web sites and white papers on meeting hardware requirements for Windows 2000.

Start with the Windows 2000 home page ( http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/default.asp ); you can branch out from there for product and technical information.

If you're wondering if your current system will work with Windows 2000, download and run the Readiness Analyzer at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/upgrade/compat. On the same page are links to search for wholly compatible computers, software, and the latest device drivers.

See http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/library/planning/client/deploy.asp for a guide to deploying Windows 2000 Pro in a business environment.

For problem solving, search the Microsoft Knowledge Base ( http://search.support.microsoft.com/kb/ ). It's a veritable Encyclopedia of Microsoftiana.

Before Installing

Before proceeding, make sure that your computer can handle Windows 2000; plan your installation; and then prepare your machine for it. The following sections help you with each of these tasks.

Check the Hardware Requirements

To run Windows 2000, your computer should exceed Microsoft's minimum system requirements. Yes, Windows 2000 Pro will run on a minimally configured machine, but using your PC will be about as much fun as drag racing in a Geo Metro. The table below shows the minimum, realistic, and recommended equipment for best speed.

Component

Minimum

Realistic Minimum

Recommended

CPU

Pentium 133 MHz

Pentium 200 MHz

Pentium 300 MHz or better

RAM

32 MB

80 MB

128 MB

Hard Disk

2 GB with 650 MB free

2 GB with 1 GB free

4 GB with 2 GB free

Using the Readiness Analyzer

To determine if you have incompatible hardware or software on your computer, run the Windows 2000 Readiness Analyzer (a free program available at http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/deployment/readiness/default.asp ).

This tool analyzes your system and reports any hardware or software on your system that Microsoft knows to be incompatible with Windows 2000. To use it, run the Chckupgrd.exe file, click Yes in the License Agreement, and then view the results of the Readiness Check.

If the Readiness Analyzer reports that some of your hardware or software is incompatible with Windows 2000, check with the corresponding manufacturers. Often the manufacturer's Web site offers a new driver or software patch for downloading.

Tip

If you can't run the Readiness Analyzer for some reason, consult the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), as described on Section 16.1.

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