Installed Windows XP on top of Windows 2000

Hi All,

I installed Windows XP Professional on top of the Windows 2000. By on top, I mean that I just inserted the CD and just installed. Every seen then I noticed my laptop is running slower and I suspect from the time it takes to load my programs that it is running both operating systems but I only see Windows XP. How can I verify and should I somehow remove the Windows 2000.

I'm not sure if this will mess up my laptop or if it is a fairly easy process since I'm no computer expert.

My laptop is an IBM Think Pad, Intel Pentium III, 484 MHZ, 256 MG of ram.

Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

Hello Anne,

When you installed, there were two choices, upgrade and clean install. From what you write, I assume it was an ugrade because a clean install would have wiped your data and installed programs.

When you look at the C drive, there should only be one Windows folder.

XP is larger and runs slower on the hardware you list. The specs you show is pretty much the minimum for XP.

Regards - Charles

 

Thank you Charlesvar,

I will check it whenn I get home and see if I only have one folder of Windows. I don't recall getting that message but I may have automatically pressed update without even thinking.

Thanks again and I will check it. Have a great day.

 

I suspsct that there is a good possibility that some things may not have been upgraded properly due to the fact that any inuse file may not get overwritten properly. ( experience speaking )
I have found that a better way to repairs/upgrade etc. is to boot to a good old fashioned DOS floppy with CD support ( from a power OFF state to be more sure RAM is clear ) and install/re-install from there. Just need to make sure that the install goes into the EXISTING directory.

I Suspsct the same.

BillyBob

 

BillyBob,

How do I do this DOS floppy with CD Support?? I have no idea. How do I correct the situation I'm in at the moment - which basically is that I have already installed it.

Any suggestions, guidelines would really help since I really don't know how to do this.

Thanks.

 

OK.

I can not really say how to get you out of the situation that your are in now.
I just checked the dates on my SUD and see that they go way back to 1999. And I believe it was made during the install of 98.
And when I do boot to it I MAKE SURE that I do it from a power off state. Then run the setup file from the proper location ( CD-HD folder-floppy or what ever )
This also helps to assure that memory is clear so that any files that need to be overwritten stand a better chance of getting done properly.
But you do need to be sure that any upgrade/repair does go into the existing folder.

BillyBob

 

Hello Anne,

Is there something not working?

Is your complaint only the slowness? Given the specs, I think that would be normal in your situation.

Your option right now is to re install XP with the "clean" install option from the CD. But that means you have to save your data and re install all your software.

Another option is to disable startups that can be on demand instead of auto starting. Of course this does not mean security programs such as AV's or the firewall. XP has a built in in-bound blocking firewall. If you feell this is good enough, then no need for a 3rd party firewall. In the Security Center via the Control Panel, you'll see info on the state of the Firewall - Anti-Virus and MS update.

Regards - Charles

 

I agree with Charles. With the hardware you have, you can expect XP to run slow. I know what MS says the minimum requirements are but, IMHO, they are a bit on the optomistic side. 256 MBs of ram will get the job done but it's not really enough for best performance. It'll be constantly accessing the page file to get things done and that will slow things down considerably. You're processor is fast enough but still toward the bottom end for XP. Add some ram to it (at least another 256 MBs) and you'll probably see a performance increase. Just don't expect miracles.

 

Thank you all - I think that given the fact of my laptop capabilities and the XP requirements - you are all right - that must be the main factor for my slowness.

All the programs do work properly but just take a long time to start up.

Is it easy to add RAM on a laptop? I don't think I would be able to do myself - right?? If I add RAM it may help and last I checked it seems RAM is very reasonable.

Again thank you all.

 

Hi Anne,

I don't know whether its easy to add RAM to this particular Laptop.

Do you have a manual? And what's the model #? Maybe somebody is familiar with it.

Regards - Charles

 

In all the laptops I've messed with it's always been a pretty simple process. On the bottom of the computer you'll see several compartments (for lack of a better term) that you can access. One of them has your ram chip(s) in it. Remove that cover and add or replace as necessary.

 

Thank you - I will check into it.

 

98 se and xp

i just checked on MB for both os- inserted 98 said disc had 625 mb on it, xp read 473 mb?

 

Hi, Anne.

Before you buy RAM sticks for your Think Pad, what model number is your Think Pad?

It's possible that 256 MB RAM is the maximum for your Think Pad.

I say that because I installed Windows XP Pro on my old Dell Inspiron 2500 laptop which had 128 MB RAM and it was slow as molasses in winter. I investigated and found the Inspiron 2500 is supposed to have a maximum of 256 MB RAM (which I installed). It does what I need it to do but it certainly does not boot as fast as my desktop that has 2 GB of RAM.

 

Will need to check tonight and let you know. Thank you.

 

I have both a Windows and a WINNT folder. I think the WINNT was the Windows 2000 version and since I am having problems with Windows XP at the moment is it safe to delete the Windows fodler???

Please advise.

Thank you.

 

Hi Anne,

The WINNT folder is not W2k. It is created by the XP upgrade process if upgrading from W2K and has essential core windows files in it.

I may be wrong because I never upgraded one NT system over another, but I don't think you'd be allowed to delete if tried.

Look inside the folder. The following files should be there:

Ntoskrnl.exe
Ntkrnlpa.exe
Hal.dll
Win32k.sys
Kernel32.dll
Advapi32.dll
User32.dll
Gdi32.dll

Regards - Charles

 

if you do search winnt.32 you find installer on your comp.

 

Charlesvar,

Those files are in my Windows folder - so I guess that is a good folder and that I should not delete it. What about the WINNT folder?

Dytrog - what does this file tell me??

 

it installs windows xp-pro and i typed it wrong it's winnt32.-- no (.) (wextract) is version 6.0.2900.2180 found version 5.1.2600.2180 which is also considered pro.