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Maintaining Windows 2000 for the Long Term?

Posted by Cliff on from the an-EOL'd-OS-on-life-support dept.

MarkWatson asks: "I keep two Windows machines: a Windows 2000 laptop (bought with XP, but installed an old Windows 2000 license and Linux) and a desktop with XP (dual boot to Linux). I would like to avoid ever buying a PC with Vista, a situation that looks good because I believe both my Windows systems are reliable, fast, and will service my Windows needs for the long term. My problem is this: I like Windows 2000 better for a few reasons, but mainly because the license is transferable. I would like to still be using Windows 2000 5 years from now in a secure and reliable way (again, just for when I need Windows). Since I am far from a Windows expert, I would like to know your strategy for archiving Microsoft's latest Windows 2000 updates, and generally dealing with security issues. My strategy is to set my firewall up to run in stealth mode and not use Windows for general web browsing. Any suggestions will be appreciated!" How would you keep an old Windows OS (like Win98, and WinXP in another year or two) running long after official support for it has ended?

2 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Consider virtualization by NineNine · · Score: 5, Funny

    She managed a 3.9 GPA this semester, so this setup didn't hurt her.

    That may be true. But, did she get laid this semester, or did she have to spend all of her free nights dicking with this ungodly complicated system?

  2. Offline Updater by Bastardchyld · · Score: 5, Informative

    Heise Security released an script called Offline Updater.

    This script will allow you to create all-inclusive, fully-automated update cds for the English and German versions of Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows 2003. The script will create a CD .iso for each OS and/or it can also create an all-inclusive DVD .iso for all of the above versions. You then burn the .isos you created and the installation is entirely automated (some reboots required but automatically continues with the install).

    Here is an short and sweet write-up on this - http://www.heise-security.co.uk/articles/80682/3
    Here is where you download the file (.zip) - http://www.heise.de/ct/ftp/projekte/offlineupdate/ ctupdate302.zip
    Here is Heise Security's Forum on the script - http://www.heise-security.co.uk/forums/go.shtml?li st=1&forum_id=108277

    --
    $diff terrorists hippies
    $
    $rm -rf *terrorists *hippies