Windows 2000 Pro using an XP license

cracker

cracker

cracker

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A client wants us to build 2 machines for him but he needs Windows 2000 Professional as he uses custom wrote software that won't work on XP.

Now no one sells Windows 2000 Professional anymore, so is it possible to buy Windows XP and downgrade? Been searching for a while now but can't find anything. Thanks in advance.
 
What is his licensing like? Is he on a select agreement?

If so then an XP license will cover him for Windows 2000 Professional, but he would need to use his VLK disk and key, rather than the XP key.
 
He doesn't have any licensing and neither do we. We build quite a few machines but they're always XP Pro or Server 2003 based so we just get OEM versions and use those.

The only thing I can think of other than the eBay suggestion, is to install a not 100% cosha version of 2000 Pro and buy an OEM XP disc and key give him it to keep with the machine. But I know that's not the right way to do it :S
 
If he ever gets asked to prove his licensing, he is up the creek.

I can't believe that there is software that will run on 2k but not on XP, even if it involves a little workaround.
 
Does he have any old Windows 98 or NT4 licenses?

There seems to be a shop out there with 16 Windows 2000 Upgrade packs (from NT) in stock, and 14 Upgrade packs (from 95/98) in stock.
 
The software you are trying to run, does it install but not run in windows XP whats the story with it. There is the compatibility mode for EXE's in XP also Vista. I had some issues a while back where some software would run in XP but not Vista, look in the properties of the program exe and change it to run in compatibility mode for XP and it works fine.

Worth a try at least
 
Most OEM licenses do not grant downgrade rights.
However the following OEM licenses do:

Windows XP Professional
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate

So an OEM Windows XP Professional license does grant downgrade rights to Windows 2000 Professional.
So - purchase two OEM copies of WinXP Pro and instead install Win2k Pro and your client will remain license legal - which is extremely important for a business to do.
 
paradigm said:
I can't believe that there is software that will run on 2k but not on XP, even if it involves a little workaround.
Click to expand...

Me neither to be honest, but he is addement it needs to be 2000 Pro, and no later than SP2 at that! I'm assuming he's tried XP and couldn't get it to work. *Assuming* :p

Basically, it's software specifically written for the company's needs. It uses a LPT dongle and connects to other stuff on his site (a small power station) to monitor various equipment. To have the software re-written or modified to work on XP or Vista etc will cost more than they are willing to spend.
 
stoofa said:
Most OEM licenses do not grant downgrade rights.
However the following OEM licenses do:

Windows XP Professional
Windows Vista Business
Windows Vista Ultimate

So an OEM Windows XP Professional license does grant downgrade rights to Windows 2000 Professional.
So - purchase two OEM copies of WinXP Pro and instead install Win2k Pro and your client will remain license legal - which is extremely important for a business to do.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's what I was after. Quick question though, when I install 2000 Pro, which cd key do I use, the XP one?
 
pid 270

google that, and buy xp licence

-only works with 2000 Sp2? what the heck!


try it on xp, he might be telling porkies :)
 
Thanks for the PID 270 hint. I'll give that a try.

I'd love to install XP and have a play / try a few things. I bet I could actually get it to work. But on the other hand, he knows what he wants so I'm tempted to give it him and wash my hands of it all. :D
 
Actually I have a couple of software items in my collection that does indeed work on 2K but fails massively if I try it on XP.

They do exists m,uch like there is software thjats ok with 98 but not ME and the other way round... They are few and far between, but they are out there!

My htoughts are though, that if you are using software that ONLY runs on 2K then you are being your own worst enemy by sticking to it.

While I personally feel that 2K has many advantages over XP, and indeed Vista, there are also a load more disadvantages too!
 
FatRakoon said:
While I personally feel that 2K has many advantages over XP, and indeed Vista, there are also a load more disadvantages too!
Click to expand...

Like the fact it is end of life and no business, no matter how small, should be using end of life software products.
 
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