changing BIOS 1

[sksaini]

Hello,

I have an IBM NetVista 2284-48U, came preloaded with WinMe on AMD Duron.

Trouble is- IBM has something in the BIOS, which won't let me use XP or W2K on the same pc. It gets installed but then pc freezes constantly. I have wasted numerous months experimening with that and now I am back to the same old Win Me.

Can I just change the BIOS and install XP or W2K?

Any suggestions on changing BIOS - which, when, how, etc. would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

~S

 

[wolluf]

r u sure 'IBM has something in the BIOS, which won't let me use XP or W2K'? sounds more like a hardware compatibility issue to me (does ME run ok - or do you have frequent problems - crashes/freezes/registry errors?)

The XP install CD has a compatibility tool you can run in ME to point up any likely issues - have you run that?

 

[dbk4297]

Hi,

I agree with wolluf, your problem sounds more like a hardware issue.
Have you checked that all your hardware meets XP's minimum specs? You can test your system here.

http://www.pcpitstop.com/xpready/

One thing I have run across more than once going from ME or 98 to XP was memory problems. It seems that RAM that is marginal for the computer specs but works using ME or 98 will fail just as you describe once XP is installed.
Do you have any cheap or generic memory that has been added to your computer? I also know for sure that IBM as well as other OEM systems require memory that is listed by the maker as being for the specific model number or the memory will fail.

The XP ready test above will look at your motherboard, BIOS, and other hardware to make sure it's OK for XP. It will not check that you have the proper memory specs for your model number. If you have added memory since you bought the system remove it and see if XP works once it's installed.

Darrell,

http://home.pacbell.net/dbk4297/memoryupgrade.html

 

[pechenegs]

You can't upgrade Win ME to W2K because WIn ME is considered a newer version than W2K! You'd need to do a clean install with a full version of W2 Kand wipe ME totally off. But , it also appears as the others have posted that your hardware is incompatible somewhere.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/howtobuy/upgrading/path/default.asp

 

[pechenegs]

also check this out on clean install of W2k.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/professional/howtobuy/upgrading/path/newinstall.asp

 

[sksaini]

Thank you all for your responses.

As mentioned earlier, it is an IBM NetVista with WinMe. I did try with a new Maxtor 40 GB hard disk and installed w2k professional on it. Everything ok, but then system would freeze after some time. I tried Win Xp prof. on the same disk - same prob. And pcpitstop.com says that my pc is absolutely XP ready. Both w2k and Xp were a clean install.

I did update the BIOS from IBM alongwith all other necessary update. And I did upgrade the RAM from 64 mb to 512 mb with a AZENRAM.

I believe, now I need to go through that link from Microsoft about windows 2000.

 

[pechenegs]

I would suggest to go with Xp-pro seeing as you are compatible and W2k isn't with an ME installation, plus Xp will be supported for longer than W2k.

 

[wolluf]

sksaini - did you run the compatibility check on the XP install CD?

If realy no hardware issue - then suspect hardware fault & RAM is best place to start - especially as you've upgraded yours. If you've more than one stick, try each on its own.
If memory ok - look to eliminate other hardware items (by disconnecting them).

 

[sksaini]

Pechenegs and Wolluf-

You guys have been of great help. Though I have tried almost every option, still I am gonna try once more in a step-by-step mode.

Thanks.