Windows 2000 Setup
In order to understand how to automate the Windows 2000
Professional setup process, it is essential to understand the requirements
prior to installation. A good grasp of the upgrade and installation
process also helps in determining what type of installation
best meets the needs of the business.
Hardware Requirements
Windows 2000 Professional provides a greater degree of stability and
flexibility than its predecessors at the cost of increased hardware
requirements. Microsoft has published recommended minimum hardware
guidelines for running Windows 2000 Professional, but unfortunately,
these recommendations provide the lowest common
denominator and do not provide what everyone would agreeably call
acceptable performance. Table 1.1 provides a comparison of minimum
hardware requirements as issued by Microsoft and hardware recommendations
based on real-world use in a corporate environment.
Windows 2000 Professional has a larger base operating system
footprint than Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 9x, but, when coupled
with sufficient hardware, it can outperform its older brothers. In
particular, good performance gains have been associated with an
increase in RAM.
Windows 2000 Professional integrates hardware and computer
accessories more thoroughly than any previous Microsoft operating
system, and as a result, requires hardware to undergo meticulous
compatibility testing. Microsoft regularly publishes (usually quarterly)
the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL), a list of Windows-compatible
hardware that has passed hardware compatibility tests. Windows 2000
Professional does not yet have the same driver and manufacturer support
as Windows 9x and Windows NT, so it is necessary to check the
HCL before attempting any installations. This should be done to
ensure that Windows 2000 Professional supports the hardware you are
planning to use. A plain-text version of the HCL can be found on the
Windows 2000 Professional CD-ROM in the \SUPPORT directory. As
with Windows NT, a list of compatible hardware devices is located on
the Microsoft site (www.microsoft.com/hcl). Another initiative
www.hardware-update.com) provides additional information on topics
such as BIOS revisions and PC model compatibility for Windows 2000.
Microsoft also provides www.microsoft.com/windows2000/upgrade/
compat as a compatibility resource.