A n00bie Question: upgrading to win2000 from win98

You should always backup your files before an upgrade of an OS... if you actually upgrade it should let you keep everything.

Drivers may have to be installed (check mfgs. web site of either hardware or entire PC if its Dell or Gateway etc.)

Because there are significant differences between Windows 2000 (an NT os) and Windows 98 (a 9x os) I would highly recommend formatting the drive.  I have upgraded 100 computers to Win2k from Win98 and I have created fresh installs on just as many... if you have a bunch of "junk" in your PC it can be even messier than a simple upgrade.  The OS will run so much better if you format.

Also if you can, use a Windows 2000 disc that includes SP4 - that will save you the time of installing the service pack afterward.  It can also prevent you from getting hit by viruses that arent patched on a plain Win2k CD.  RPC viruses etc. that have been patched by SP4 will not be able to hit you while you download the other updates and drivers.

Also if you do have a copy of WIn98 that isn't a restore CD, you can use the Windows 2000 upgrade and it will ask you insert a CD (to prove you own one already) for the prior OS.

You will likely have to install at least something manually as far as drivers are concerned.  Many will be included because of your old hardware, but some driver for a printer, cable modem or something won't be included usually.

Check mfg. web site for drivers by searching for model number.

[quote]"Also if you do have a copy of WIn98 that isn't a restore CD, you can use the Windows 2000 upgrade and it will ask you insert a CD (to prove you own one already) for the prior OS."[/quote]

I don't understand what you mean by that.  I don't think the win98 cd was given to me when I bought this IBM computer.  I guess formatting the drive is a good idea (btw, is there a way to bring back my win98 to its orignal factory state without using the cd?).  The computer is only used for casual internet browsing and minimal word processing.  The computer uses a P3 500mhz cpu and has 96mb of ram.  Can it handle win2k?  This computer definitely needs some sort of maintainence/formatting because it lags more and more frequently.

Since you want to upgrade OS because of sluggishness of Win98, you should go for clean install.
But, before that, you can try getting rid of junk from your Win98. Download System MEchanic from www.iolo.com, and run its various modules.
Restart your PC in safe mode, and defrag your hard disk.

The win2k cd I'm going to get is a real installation CD I think.  Does that mean I won't be able to install it because it will ask me for the previous win cd?  The computer is too old that I don't remember or think there's a system restoration disc =(  Putting the comp back to original state is my ultimate goal.  I don't want to go through all the trouble to install all the drivers (do cd-rom and cd writer need drivers?) again because I'm a computer illiterate.  I don't know anything.

I'll try that system mechanic thing tomorrow.  Thanks.