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Windows 2000/NT forum: A few questions for downgrading from XP to W2k

by: tominatorj June 17, 2011 1:20 PM PDT

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A few questions for downgrading from XP to W2k

by tominatorj - 6/17/11 1:20 PM

Hi. I just bought a used Compaq Presario for $20. The previous user trashed the thing. Apparently he "deleted almost everything" prior to getting rid of it, so when I got it it was missing a driver, had tons of fragmented and hidden files and just generally ran slow. I've determined that the best thing to do right now is install a new OS And start over, which I've never done. The computer has Windows XP Pro installed, but I didn't receive any of the discs that should have come with the machine at purchase.

I have an installation disc for Windows 2000. My idea is that installing W2K will at least get the PC usable until I can afford to outright buy new XP software (just moved, have 3 kids, economy sucks... it'll be a month or two until I can get XP). Before I start the install, I have a few questions that I'd like help with:

1. Will the same drivers for XP work for W2K? If so how can I go about easily backing those up? If not, where can I go to get a list of the drivers I'd need ahead of time?

2. Earlier today I read that Office can just be copied to an external device (Thumb drive/CD) and when opened from there, it will restore itself. Thus, I'd be able to move Office after the install. Is this true? I'd like to keep from losing Office if at all possible.

3. I see that neither Avast nor AVG work for W2K. What is a good freeware Antivirus that I can get after install that works for W2K?

Thanks for any help in advance.

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Re: downgrading.

by Kees_B Moderator - 6/17/11 1:33 PM

In Reply to: A few questions for downgrading from XP to W2k by tominatorj

1. XP drivers might work. And you might find a free driver backup program. But it's not guaranteed. Anyway, Device Manager or Belarc Advisor (free download) should show you quite a lot about hardware that's present. But that doesn't mean XP drivers (or 2K drivers) still are available for free download.

2. That's not true. You need the installation CD. Maybe better switch to Open Office.

3. In http://www.avgfree.com.au/system_requirements.cfm I see AVG compatible with Win 2K. Worth a try if they say it themselves.

Kees


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Thanks for the quick reply:

by tominatorj - 6/17/11 1:53 PM

In Reply to: Re: downgrading. by Kees_B Moderator

Yeah, with so much different info available online I thought it would be best to ask before I erased everything on a computer. Glad I did.

That's odd about the AVG compatibility. According to CNET the listed compatible OS for AVG are Windows XP/Vista/7. Thanks for clarifying.

Also, this is the first I've heard of Open Office. Just skimmed over info on it. You're right in that I might as well switch. I'm not going to worry too much about having Microsoft Office on a $20 PC if viable freeware is available, you know?

Thanks again for the info. Any other tips that you might have will be appreciated before I start the install.


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Libre Office

by wizardb - 10/21/11 7:01 PM

In Reply to: Thanks for the quick reply: by tominatorj

Is the superior spin off of Star office which is owned by Apache from Oracle from Sun Systems .When Sun was bought up by Oracle the programmers driving the Open Office development left and formed Libre Office which is the standard that all the "Open Office " programs are compared to.Down ;oad and install Libre Office and you'll never use MSOffice again.


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