Tips for Windows 2000 and Windows Me Upgrading to Windows 2000 D. E. Levine
If you are not buying computers with Windows 2000 preinstalled, your time and effort can be spent most efficiently when upgrading to Windows 2000 by using a checklist and making certain that you gather certain information that will affect your upgrade.
You can rearrange the order of the tasks to fit your needs, but before you actually start your upgrade be certain that you gather and take into account all of the information that the following eight tasks will provide.
TIP 1.Prepare for Windows 2000 Before You Upgrade
Item 1. Always find out what system requirements exist for the version of Windows 2000 you intend to install and run. Then check that your computers comply with those requirements, or make modifications that enable the computers to meet the system requirements.
Item 2. Inventory all of your computers, hardware devices, and software currently installed or planned for installation. It's important that everything you have or plan to get is compatible with Windows 2000. If it's not compatible, it's better to know before you begin the upgrade so you can replace the incompatible items.
Item 3. Find out what applications are Windows 2000 certified and check to see if they would suit your needs. Certified applications are guaranteed to run with the operating system so you may need to seriously consider acquiring and switching over to some of these if you're using applications that turn out to be incompatible.
Item 4. Check with your computer manufacturer to find out if the BIOS of your computers is compatible with Windows 2000. If the BIOS isn't compatible, you will have to upgrade the BIOS before attempting to install and run Windows 2000.
Item 5. Do research regarding established existing information about upgrading from previous versions of Windows. You may find information from those who have already undergone an upgrade that will make your upgrade go more smoothly. Be certain to find out and document all the specific steps you have to take to upgrade from the previous versions.
Item 6. You can find and check information about digital signatures for device drivers that will inform you about whether the drivers are compatible with Windows 2000. Since Windows 2000 includes approximately 7,500 drivers, if those drivers are included on the Windows 2000 CD-ROM you can be fairly certain the drivers are compatible with the operating system. However, if your drivers are not included with Windows 2000 there may be serious issues of incompatibility and you may have to make substitutions of either drivers or devices.
Item 7. Review and analyze the different purchasing options available to you before you buy. Budgetary considerations are always important so do your homework pre-upgrade and see what and where the best "deal" is for you.
Item 8. Check with your Internet Service Provider to make certain that Windows 2000 is compatible with the ISP's client software. If it isn't, you may have to delay your upgrade until the ISP follows suit, or you may have to switch ISPs.
