Written By:
Date Posted: August 12, 2001
I decided to write up a simple guide for people who want to install Windows 2000. I'm not going to cover advanced topics, or tweaking right now. That will come in the near future. I'm already going to assume you know some of the basics, like backing up your stuff, and making a DOS boot disk. I will also assume that the version of Windows 2000 is the Professional version, and it is the full version, not the upgrade. This guide is designed for NEW installations, and not a dual boot environment, though it should work if you didn't reformat.
Pre-Setup
I suggest you check the Microsoft Windows 2000 hardware and software compatibility . Life will be easier if your stuff is Win2k compliant. Also, be sure you meet the minimum system . I STRONGLY suggest formatting your primary boot drive before installation, since it'll make things run smoother. Remember to backup your data files, Internet bookmarks and anything else of value.
The fastest way to install is to copy all the contents of the .\i386 folder onto your hard drive in a directory of your choice. The easiest way to install Windows 2000 is to put the disk in your cdrom drive and let it boot. The CD is bootable, so if your cdrom supports it, it will make things run faster. Alternately, you can use a boot disk. Just make sure you load Smartdrive and cdrom drivers. If you do it this way, after the bootup, navigate to the cdrom drive and type .\cd i386, then .\winnt.exe
Setup - DOS portion
Follow the first step if you're using a boot disk. If you're booting off the CD, skip to step #2.
1) Setup will display the default Windows directory. Leave it at default. Setup will then copy all the necessary files to your harddrive and ask you to reboot.
2) After reboot, setup begins for real. Press F6 if you have any special SCSI cards or RAID controllers. Make sure you got these drivers handy on diskette, because it only uses the a:
3) After this, it'll copy more files, then ask if you want to install Windows. Since you wiped your harddrive out, you better say yes and press enter.
4) Read the EULA (lol, whatever. Press F8)
5) You got a choice of where to install Win2k. I suggest the c:
6) After more copying of files, the system will reboot.
Setup - GUI portion
1) This is where most of you shouldn't have problems. It's going to ask the standard questions like Time Zone, Product ID, etc...
2) Next, you'll be asked if you're part of a workgroup or domain (if you got a network card installed). Unless this is for work, select workgroup.
3) Installation will continue, and you'll be asked to reboot. That's it.
Essential Updates
Believe it or not, the above is the easy part. The rest is easy, but most people forget to do these next steps. ORDER is important, because as stable as Windows 2000 is, it's easier to royally mess up than Windows 98.
1) Install . Service Pack 2 is available, but you should wait a bit to see if any new bugs arise. If you feel adventurous, go ahead and grab it . Keep in mind, as each service pack is released, it's all inclusive. There really isn't a need to install number 1, then 2, then 3, and so forth.
2) Update any other critical updates that appear in Windows Update.
Next step are your hardware drivers. If you use a , those should be installed first. Next up, your video drivers. After that, your sound card. Be sure to reboot after each step. Not doing so will simply confuse Windows, and you'll get a lot of BSODs or bad driver installs.
I hope you found this guide useful. Up next, tweaking. =)
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