Howdy Laurie ... MS has kept support alive for Win2K because businesses
are still running it. Reliability and performance updates are no longer
offered up at Windows Update for Win2K but, Security updates are still
coming out for it. So it's still in Extended Support.
After trying to decipher MS info, I found this page:
http://support.microsoft.com/select/...ecycle&c1=509&
It appears that Win2K SP4 Extended Support ends 13/07/2010.
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3071
As to MS pricing, upgrades are less costly then clean installs but I'm
not sure about the upgrade path ... i.e. whether Win2K is still one.
Possibly so because business still employs it and we know MS likes to
keep businesses happy.
As to validation ... don't get me started. It's my view that a system
should not be continually questioned as to it's authenticity.
I was under the impression that Win2K did not need to do the validation
dance in order for one to obtain Windows Script.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en
" Q: Do all Windows users need to validate, or is validation limited to
particular versions of Windows?
A: Validation is required for all genuine Windows downloads on Microsoft
Download Center. It is also required by the Windows Update service for
users of Windows XP including Windows XP Home, Windows XP Professional
and Windows XP Media Center Edition. All users can access security
updates via Automatic Updates. Genuine Windows downloads are available,
without validation, to customers running Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows
2000, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Professional x64 Edition, Windows
Vista, and Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3. <snip>"
Perhaps I have a reading comprehension issue. The above paragraph taken
from the FAQ on the Genuine Microsoft Software page states that
validation is required at the MS Download Center. It goes on to state
that " Genuine downloads are available, without validation ... " and
shows Windows 2000 as one of the OS' listed.
Am I missing something or is that not confusing ?
Windows Update still shows Win2K SP4 as being supported -
" Which operating systems does Windows Update support?
Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 Ongoing
Checked the Microsoft Update Catalog and I could not find any version of
Windows Script for Win2K.
So, color me confused as one could never access Windows Update if
Windows Script were damaged or corrupted and one needed to reinstall it.
Then the system would have to pass validation at the Download Center in
order to obtain Windows Script.
So, that makes MS' statement on High Priority updates being available
via Windows Update for Win2K incorrect if the above situation exists and
the system can not pass validation.
MowGreen [MVP 2003-2009]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============
Laurie wrote:
> Hi Movgreen,
> No, I have only been using a firewall as of 2 weeks ago.
> The previous version of Genuinecheck that worked early last year did have a
> different byte size, however.
> The link you provide for the Windows Script Update is the one I had trouble
> with, However, I procured a copy of the update at Macropool via Google, which
> didn't require validation, and ran without error.
> I have the strange feeling these days (do you too?) that Microsoft are not
> employing a huge amount of resources for the upkeep of Win2k systems. I must
> say I have had a pretty good run, being a user since first release, but now
> unlikely to upgrade until either a head crash or the monetary exchange rate
> with the US improves.
> To be consistent with user upgrades of other Microsoft products, they might
> consider offering a graded discount based on what sytem one is upgrading from.
> Such an arrangement may obviate the need to bind users to continual, and
> somewhat inconvenient vaildation procedures. Anyway, how many systems out
> there aren't valid anyway? I can assure you that if I procured an
> off-the-back-of-a-truck OS hacked through by some disgruntled ex-affiliate of
> Microsoft, life is going to be a fairly time-consuming process continually
> keeping the computer and applications up-to-date and running smoothly.
> Kind Regards,
> Laurie
>
Linear Mode
