Lesson 4: Upgrading Client Operating Systems

You upgrade most Windows client operating systems directly to Windows 2000 in order to take advantage of the new features offered in Windows 2000 Professional operating system. However, before upgrading client operating systems to Windows 2000, you must ensure that the computer hardware meets the minimum Windows 2000 hardware requirements. You must also check the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) or test the computers for hardware compatibility using the Windows 2000 Compatibility tool. You want to ensure the hardware is compatible with Windows 2000 so that there are no surprises when you start the upgrade on a large number of client computers.

For client systems that use compatible hardware, you upgrade them directly to Windows 2000. If there are Windows 95 and 98 client systems using incompatible or insufficient hardware, you can still take advantage of the Active Directory functionality on these systems by using the Windows 2000 Directory Services Client.

You can upgrade most client computers running older versions of Windows directly to Windows 2000. However, computers running Windows NT 3.1 or 3.5 require an additional step. Table 13.4 lists the Windows 2000 Professional upgrade paths for client operating systems.

Table 13.4 Windows 2000 Professional Upgrade Paths for Client Operating Systems

Upgrade from	Upgrade to
Windows 95 and Windows 98	Windows 2000 Professional
Windows NT Workstation 3.51 and 4.0	Windows 2000 Professional
Windows NT 3.1 or 3.5	Windows NT 3.51 or 4.0 first, and then Windows 2000 Professional

Before you upgrade a client computer to Windows 2000 Professional, make sure that it meets the minimum hardware requirements. Table 13.5 describes these hardware requirements.

Table 13.5 Windows 2000 Professional Minimum Hardware Requirements

Hardware	Minimum requirements
Processor	Intel Pentium 166 MHz or higher Compaq Alpha AXP
Memory	Pentium-based: 32 MB
Compaq	Alpha-based: 48 MB
Hard Disk	Up to 1.2 GB of free space on the boot partition, depending upon the file system, and 6 MB of free space on the system partition.
Video	VGA or higher video card and monitor.
Other Components	Compact disc installation: CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive.
Networking	Network adapter card and related cables.
Accessories	Keyboard and mouse or other pointing device.

You generate a hardware and software compatibility report using the Windows 2000 Compatibility tool. This tool runs automatically during system upgrades, but it is recommended that you run this tool before beginning the upgrade to identify any hardware and software problems. This is especially true when upgrading many computers with similar hardware, so compatibility problems can be fixed before the upgrade begins.

To generate a compatibility report using the Windows 2000 Compatibility tool, select Run on the Start menu and type Winnt32/checkupgradeonly. By using the /checkupgradeonly switch, Winnt32 launches the first part of the Windows 2000 setup program. Instead of running the entire setup process, it only checks for compatible hardware and software. This generates a report that you can analyze to determine what system components are Windows 2000-compatible.

The report generated by running Winnt32 /checkupgradeonly is a text document, named Winnt32.log. It is created in the installation directory; you can view it in the tool or save it as a text file.

The report documents the system hardware and software that is incompatible with Windows 2000. It also identifies whether you need to obtain an upgrade pack for software installed on the system and any additional changes or modifications you must make to the system to maintain functionality in Windows 2000.

For client systems that test as compatible with Windows 2000, you run the Windows 2000 setup program (winnt32.exe) to complete the upgrade process.

To upgrade Windows 95 and Windows 98 computers, you would do the following:

1. Run the winnt32.exe command.
2. Accept the license agreement.
3. If the computer you are upgrading is already a member of a domain, you must create a computer account in that domain. Windows 95 and 98 clients do not require a computer account, but Windows 2000 Professional clients do.
4. You are asked to provide upgrade packs for any applications that might need them. Upgrade packs update software so it works with Windows 2000. Upgrade packs are available from the software vendor.
5. You are prompted to upgrade to NTFS. Select the upgrade if you do not plan to set up the client computer to dual boot.
6. The Windows 2000 Compatibility tool runs, generating a report. If the report shows the computer as Windows 2000-compatible, continue with the upgrade. If the report shows the computer to be incompatible with Windows 2000, terminate the upgrade process.
7. The upgrade finishes without further user intervention. After the upgrade is complete, you must enter the password for the local computer Administrator account.

If your computer is Windows 2000-compatible, it is now upgraded and is a member of your domain. If your computer is not Windows 2000-compatible, you must upgrade your hardware, if possible, or you can install the Directory Service Client.

Windows 95 or Windows 98 computers that do not meet the hardware compatibility requirements can still take advantage of Active Directory directory services by using the Directory Service Client. The Directory Service Client upgrades Windows 95 and 98 systems so that they support Active Directory features, including the ability to do the following:

• Use fault-tolerant Dfs
• Search Active Directory directory services
• Change your password on any domain controller

To install the Directory Service Client on a non-Windows 2000 compatible computer, you would do the following:

1. In the \Clients\Win9x folder of the Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server beta CD-ROM, run the dsclient.exe command.

The Directory Service Client Setup wizard starts.

2. Click Next.

The Ready To Install page appears, prompting you to confirm that you want to install Directory Service Client.

3. Click Next.

The Installation page appears and displays an indicator as files are copied to the hard disk.

4. Click Finish to complete the installation.
5. When prompted, click Yes to restart the computer.

The upgrade process for computers running Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 is similar to the upgrade process for computers running Windows 95 and Windows 98.

Before you perform the upgrade, you must verify that the systems are compatible with Windows 2000. Use the Windows 2000 Compatibility tool to identify any potential problems before you start the upgrade.

Windows NT 3.51 and 4.0 computers that meet the hardware compatibility requirements can upgrade directly to Windows 2000. To perform the upgrade process, you would do the following:

1. Insert the Windows 2000 CD-ROM in the CD-ROM drive.
2. Click Start, and then click Run.
3. In the Run box, type X:\i386\winnt32 and then press Enter (where X is the drive letter for your CD-ROM drive).

The Welcome To The Windows 2000 Setup Wizard page appears.

4. Click Upgrade To Windows 2000 (Recommended) and then click Next.

The License Agreement page is displayed.

5. Read the license agreement and then click I Accept This Agreement.
6. Click Next.

The Upgrading to the Windows 2000 NTFS File System page appears.

7. Click Yes, Upgrade My Drive, and then click Next.

The Copying Installation Files page appears.

The Restarting The Computer page appears and the computer will now restart.

The upgrade finishes without further user intervention.

Computers running Windows NT 3.51 or Windows NT 4.0 that do not meet the hardware compatibility requirements can still log on to a Windows 2000 network, but they will not be able to take advantage of many of the Windows 2000 features. No Directory Services Client is available for computers running Windows NT 3.51 or Windows NT 4.0.

You can upgrade most client computers running older versions of Windows directly to Windows 2000. However, computers running Windows NT 3.1 or Windows NT 3.5 must first be upgraded to Windows NT 3.51 or Windows NT 4.0, and then you can upgrade them to Windows 2000 Professional.

Before you upgrade a client computer to Windows 2000 Professional, make sure that it meets the minimum hardware requirements. You can generate a hardware and software compatibility report using the Windows 2000 Compatibility tool. This tool runs automatically during system upgrades, but it is recommended that you run this tool before beginning the upgrade to identify any hardware and software problems. This is especially true when upgrading many computers with similar hardware, so compatibility problems can be fixed before the upgrade begins.

For client systems that test as compatible with Windows 2000, you run the Windows 2000 setup program (winnt32.exe) to complete the upgrade process. If your computer is not Windows 2000-compatible, you must upgrade your hardware, if possible, or you can install the Directory Service Client. Windows 95 or Windows 98 computers that do not meet the hardware compatibility requirements can still take advantage of Active Directory by using the Directory Service Client. The Directory Service Client upgrades Windows 95 and 98 systems so that they support Active Directory features, including the ability to use fault-tolerant Dfs, search Active Directory directory services, and change your password on any domain controller.