I'm trying to setup W2K on a new HD. For use in my current box. I disconnected existing HDs, plugged in new one, fdisk, format. Put W2k upgrade cd in drive, go to drive, type setup, got message "cannot run file from dos. " However, put the '98 cd in the drive, type setup, runs fine. I have run setup directly from the W2K cd before, or at least thought I have. I'll just upgrade the 98 if I have to . Why can't I run setup or setup.exe from a dos prompt. Must I have a full release of W2k as opposed to an upgrade?

Hi Randy,
The reason for your troubles is the fact that you can't use a 98 or ME startup disk to start the 2000 installation. If your cd-rom drive is bootable all you'll need to do is restart your computer with the 2000 cd in your cd-rom and it should enter the installation automatically. If you cd-rom is not bootable then your next option would be to get a set of Win 2000 boot disks which I don't have the link for right now, but I'll try to find for you.

http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/w2kinst2.html?

Use that article Randy, that'll steer you in the right direction.

Thanks, rpeyton. Yea, I forgot I had my startup disks, too. I've installed W2K several times on my own pc for experimenting and to clean up after my failures, but did not remember this sort of problem. I must never have done it quite this way.

taking a look at whats written the problem seems very simple. You say your trying install W2k to a new HD(nothing on it from what I gather) with an (upgrade disk.) If your starting from nothing and you want to install W2k you need the FULL VERSION. You can only get to W2k by the upgrade disk if you have a previous version of windows on there first....In fact I think you can only upgrade from 98 to W2k. SO either you need to fully install 98 then go through the W2k upgrade....or you need to get a copy of W2k FULL VERSION.
garbru

Garbru, I don't know for sure if this is the case with all Upgrade versions of Win2k, but I have an educational licensed copy of Win2k Upgrade and I do not need to have any other operating system installed. I'm not sure if its just because its an educational license or what, but it is possible.

Don't think that idea is supported by most of the Gurus here, Garbru. Everyone I've read here says it's just like a 9/x install, give proof of a Win OS and it goes on. :-)

Garbru, peyton, and bobh, my W2K is the education version, and yes, I THOUGHT I have clean installed it without it asking for a copy of 98. In this case, no go. So I installed 98 1st, then W2K installed perfectly. Again, thanks for the help and advice.