Any way to create a Windows 2000 install disk?

[Woody1999]

Hi all,

I've recently been called upon by my old school to fix a computer that had broken. After fixing the PC (some old Pentium III machine) I realised that all the computers were still running Windows 2000 and I had to reinstall the OS. The problem is, the broken computer needs to be running Win2000 otherwise it won't work with the incredibly old school media server.

So, is there anyway I can create a bootable USB to install WIndows 2000 on the PC?

Woody

 

[Wolfshadw]

I didn't think USB was available when Windows 2000 was out. I think you'd be better off with a Windows 2000 CD (or floppy disks) if you can find it.

-Wolf sends

 

[USAFRet]

Hi all,

I've recently been called upon by my old school to fix a computer that had broken. After fixing the PC (some old Pentium III machine) I realised that all the computers were still running Windows 2000 and I had to reinstall the OS. The problem is, the broken computer needs to be running Win2000 otherwise it won't work with the incredibly old school media server.

So, is there anyway I can create a bootable USB to install WIndows 2000 on the PC?

Woody

A bootable USB probably won't work on that old hardware. Booting from a USB is a relatively recent concept.

 

[Math Geek]

you should be able to download an iso of win 2000 (plenty of web sources available if you google it). then simply burn it to cd/dvd to install it. nothing different than any other os install disk creation.

 

[USAFRet]

I know budgets are tight. But it really is time to move off that old hardware and media server.

 

[Woody1999]

Hm, all the computers had a USB expansion card installed, maybe they were added later.

Is it really as simply as burning an ISO to a floppy disk? There's nothing like what Microsoft's USB/DVD Install Disk software does?

Woody

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

As long as you have the product key, then you can download the .ISO and burn it onto a CD.

 

[USAFRet]

Hm, all the computers had a USB expansion card installed, maybe they were added later.

Is it really as simply as burning an ISO to a floppy disk? There's nothing like what Microsoft's USB/DVD Install Disk software does?

Woody

A USB interface is one thing, ability to boot from that is another.
If it has a CD drive, the MS too you reference might work.

But...do you have the relevant license key for that Win2000?

 

[Woody1999]

Aha, the old school IT technician kept a list of all the product keys somewhere...that's all I remember being told by one of the clueless teachers

As far as upgrading goes, it's a helluva lot of money. The school has 60 computers, take it as £200 for each modern office PC (including bulk order discount) and that's £12,000 of computers, not including the cost of the new server!

Woody

Edit: I'm not entirely certain that each computer has an optical drive (it was a week or so ago now) but they definitely had a floppy disk drive....now time to raid some drawers for an old floppy disk

 

[Math Geek]

i would assume the school it has an install disk somewhere with the keys but you never know. i've seen all kinds of odd things at schools.

win 2k is too big for a floppy disk but they should have a cd/dvd drive to install from. just a simple burned iso file and you should be good to go for your reinstalling adventure.

 

[Woody1999]

Considering that I'm not even a year older than the technology here, I'm struggling to get to grips with it. Maybe the PC had an optical drive, I'm not sure.

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

Aha, the old school IT technician kept a list of all the product keys somewhere...that's all I remember being told by one of the clueless teachers

As far as upgrading goes, it's a helluva lot of money. The school has 60 computers, take it as £200 for each modern office PC (including bulk order discount) and that's £12,000 of computers, not including the cost of the new server!

Woody

Edit: I'm not entirely certain that each computer has an optical drive (it was a week or so ago now) but they definitely had a floppy disk drive....now time to raid some drawers for an old floppy disk

I understand the budget thing. But what software and capabilities are they missing out by staying on the old hardware?

No, I am NOT advocating 'newer is always better'. But there comes a time...
Might want to suggest looking into a government or corporate grant.
Or a bake sale.

 

[3hunna]

Why don't you install Windows xp on it ? when I had a P3 I had Xp on it & it worked fine

 

[Woody1999]

To be honest, the computers are used for nothing other than a painting program, browsing the web with Opera, and a small school email system. They don't really need anything you or I would use on a PC, being a primary school (that's kindergarten to sixth grade to you yanks).

Woody

 

[Woody1999]

Why don't you install Windows xp on it ? when I had a P3 I had Xp on it & it worked fine

At least try and read the OP before replying!

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

Do you absolutely have to have Windows? The older versions are no longer receiving security updates from Microsoft. You could look around to see if you could find a Linux-based OS which will be compatible with the media programs.

 

[Woody1999]

I considered running Lubuntu or Mint, however completely reinstalling the operating systems of 60 computers, and then dealing with the driver plagues caused by any Linux install on every single one of them changed my mind. I wouldn't do that even for the £12,000 it would cost to buy a load of new PCs.

Woody

Edit: not to mention that all the kids and teachers would have to learn how to use Linux, and deal with having to use Wine for a lot of their stuff.

 

[USAFRet]

To be honest, the computers are used for nothing other than a painting program, browsing the web with Opera, and a small school email system. They don't really need anything you or I would use on a PC, being a primary school (that's kindergarten to sixth grade to you yanks).

Woody

That is a big red flag.
Of course they don't need to be powerful machines. Very low end boxes would work for this.
But unfettered web access, with people who are (saying it nicely) not tech savvy, on machines that have not had any security updates in years...
Well, that's a recipe for disaster.

I bet if I put up flyers in the neighborhood, you'd get the funding right quick.
"The computers in your childs school are unsafe! People are going online with them, and those systems have not had a security update in years! A small donation, and we can fix this dangerous situation"
(only sort of joking here)

 

[Woody1999]

To be honest, the computers are used for nothing other than a painting program, browsing the web with Opera, and a small school email system. They don't really need anything you or I would use on a PC, being a primary school (that's kindergarten to sixth grade to you yanks).

Woody

That is a big red flag.
Of course they don't need to be powerful machines. Very low end boxes would work for this.
But unfettered web access, with people who are (saying it nicely) not tech savvy, on machines that have not had any security updates in years...
Well, that's a recipe for disaster.

I bet if I put up flyers in the neighborhood, you'd get the funding right quick.
"The computers in your childs school are unsafe! People are going online with them, and those systems have not had a security update in years! A small donation, and we can fix this dangerous situation"
(only sort of joking here)

The internet access is limited to nothing but the school website, and the school email access. I think the teachers have access to Youtube, Wikipedia etc. but not much else. The old IT technician knew about the security risk of Win2000 and actively controlled it.

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

Also, look at this as a potential job opportunity.
You, the resident teen geek...take the lead. Organize some funding, manage, with a couple of minions, the entire switchover, be it new systems, or just to Linux on the existing hardware.
Be the Project Manager.

For a potential employer in a couple of years, say "When I was 17, I managed a budget of £15,000 for the hardware and software upgrade for an entire school. 60+ PC's, 200 users."

 

[USAFRet]

But, back to your original question:
USB booting almost certainly will not work. CD would be your easiest way forward.

 

[Woody1999]

Good plan, very unlikely to happen in real life unfortunately. The community round here is more likely to douse any poster I put up with the latest chav-tastic cider then burn it than take notice of it.

Just realised that Windows 2000 isn't actually 2000, therefore it's older than me...I'm 15 *cough Woody1999*

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

Good plan, very unlikely to happen in real life unfortunately. The community round here is more likely to douse any poster I put up with the latest chav-tastic cider then burn it than take notice of it.

That's where your local newspaper comes in...

 

[Woody1999]

I'm sure I have an IDE optical drive lying around, just in case the computer doesn't have one. Please tell me Win2K has support for IDE

Woody

 

[USAFRet]

I'm sure I have an IDE optical drive lying around, just in case the computer doesn't have one. Please tell me Win2K has support for IDE

Woody

That would probably work.