Putting Windows 2000 on my new (old) computer - am I insane?

[Pxtl]

Hey - looking for some advice... anybody know how to secure a windows 2k machine?

I just got my brother's old computer. It's not bleeding edge, but better than my old clunker... problem is he lost his XP CD (which was an over-the-counter store license... I don't think he knows or cares how much that costs). I have an old copy of 2000, so I can use that... but if 2000 hasn't been end-of-lifed, it will be soon.

I could just use the XP already installed, but I'd really rather have a fresh setup.

I'm tempted to get Ubuntu at this point, but I have stuff from Steam I want to be able to use, and I don't want to go mucking with Cedega. Besides, the damned thing runs an ATI 9600.

So, anybody know how to make a windows 2000 machine secure? Alternately, I could hoist the jolly roger and go find myself a copy of XP, but at that point I can't run windows update anyways, so we're back at square one.

[Peet]

The XP license on that computer would still be valid...use the CD key from it.

[Pxtl]

The XP license on that computer would still be valid...use the CD key from it.

Oooh, just googled and found out you can read out the license key from the registry.

Now I just need an XP CD, and I'm all set.

[Forboding Angel]

loltorrent?

[Pxtl]

loltorrent?

Trickier than that. Piracy will yield ones that have been hacked (so they won't take the key), and generally pro versions anyways... I'd have to double check, but I bet the machine is running Home.

[SinbadEV]

Actually it is entirely possible to find "legit" CD rips as quite a few people have legit keys and pre SP2 install CDs and will choose to download a post SP2 install CD image so that they don't have to run as many patches after install. It could be argued that this isn't even illegal as you are legally entitled to the software you are downloading anyways as you have a legal license... not in a court of law or anything but from a moral "discussing with your friends over coffee" perspective.

[rattle]

anybody know how to secure a windows 2k machine?

Install SP4 and the RPC fix without connecting it to the internet.

[Dragon45]

Make sure it's fully patched before you connect it to the internet.

If you *have* to connect to the internet to get the patches, make sure you're behind a fully-patched (firmware updated) router (that will stop quite a few nasty bits from coming through).

If you're going through windows update, make sure *all* the updates are selected, even the custom/optional ones.

make sure that you don't use IE for anything. delete its shortcuts from desktop/startbar and set default browser to firefox.


And all in all Win2K is my favorite windows version. XP is next. I've experienced less problems with win2k than any other operating system (including linux).

[Caydr]

Every version of windows ever made is on a torrent somewhere, probably someplace small and reminiscent of a stellar explosion. Non-hacked versions too.

[REVENGE]

Every version of windows ever made is on a torrent somewhere, probably someplace small and reminiscent of a stellar explosion. Non-hacked versions too.

Ah I get yours, but we usually refer you to a pirate ship, docked in a bay.

[SinbadEV]

Every version of windows ever made is on a torrent somewhere, probably someplace small and reminiscent of a stellar explosion. Non-hacked versions too.

Ah I get yours, but we usually refer you to a pirate ship, docked in a bay.

An inlet of seafaring disrepute?

[Pxtl]

Thanks for the pointers. Arr, mateys. Man the canons and swab the poop-deck!

Got my partitioner, my XP disk, drivers downloaded, and my key harvested from the old installation. Ready to rock.