New Windows 2000 Computers: Buying Guide

Dec 11, 2015

NIXSYS builds new computers that run Windows 2000. They are new-production systems, not refurbished or surplus hardware. The current range covers 12 systems in tower and rackmount chassis, priced from $1,000.00 to $1,515.00, and every one has ISA slots. Every system ships from Irvine, California with a 2-year parts-and-labor warranty and US-based technical support.

This guide covers the three hardware platforms in the range, how to choose between them, and what to check before moving a Windows 2000 application onto new hardware.

Why Windows 2000 Is Still in Service

Windows 2000 was released in February 2000 as the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and Microsoft ended extended support in July 2010. It stays in service where industrial and laboratory software was validated on Windows 2000 and never re-certified: machine and process controllers, test stands built around ISA or PCI data-acquisition cards, and instrument workstations. Windows 2000 added Plug and Play and native USB support to the NT line, which is why many applications from that period target it rather than NT 4.0.

A replacement computer has to boot Windows 2000 and still accept the interface cards the application depends on. Every system in this range has ISA slots alongside 32-bit PCI slots for that reason.

Three Platforms in the Windows 2000 Range

Intel Pentium III on the VIA 8601A chipset: NX370 series

The NX370 systems pair an Intel Pentium III processor with the VIA 8601A chipset. Each has 1 full-size ISA slot, 3 32-bit PCI slots, 1 serial port and 1 parallel port. They support MS-DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP and Linux, the widest operating system coverage in this range.

Intel Pentium 4 on the Intel 845GV chipset: NX-i90 and NX-i85 series

These systems use an Intel Celeron or Intel Pentium 4 processor on the Intel 845GV chipset, with 3 ISA slots, 2 to 4 32-bit PCI slots, 1 serial port and 1 parallel port. They support MS-DOS, Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, Windows XP and Linux. Choose this platform when three ISA cards must fit, or when the same site also runs Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98 SE.

  • NX-i90: 3 full-size ISA slots, 2 PCI slots; mid tower, $1,075.00
  • NX-i85: 3 full-size ISA slots, 4 PCI slots; mid tower, $1,415.00
  • NX-i290, NX-i390 and NX-i490: 3 ISA slots, 2 PCI slots; 2U, 3U and 4U rackmount chassis, $1,275.00 to $1,375.00
  • NX-i85R: 3 full-size ISA slots, 4 PCI slots; 2U, 3U or 4U rackmount chassis, $1,515.00

Intel Pentium D on the Intel 945GV chipset: NX-i95 series

These systems use an Intel Celeron or Intel Pentium D processor on the Intel 945GV chipset, with 2 full-size ISA slots, 5 32-bit PCI slots, 1 serial port and 1 parallel port. They support MS-DOS, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 7 and Linux. This is the platform to choose when a Windows 2000 application needs more PCI slots, or when the machine may later move to Windows 7.

  • NX-i95: mid tower, $1,175.00
  • NX-i295: 2U rackmount chassis, $1,275.00
  • NX-i395: 3U rackmount chassis, $1,275.00
  • NX-i495: 4U rackmount chassis, $1,375.00

How to Choose

  1. Count the ISA cards. One card fits any system in the range. Two cards need a 945GV or 845GV system. Three cards need an 845GV system.
  2. Count the PCI cards. The 945GV systems offer 5 32-bit PCI slots. The NX-i85 and NX-i85R offer 4.
  3. List the other operating systems on site. Windows NT 4.0 or Windows 98 SE on the same machine points to an 845GV or Pentium III system. Windows 95 points to a Pentium III system. A later move to Windows 7 points to a 945GV system.
  4. Decide on the enclosure. All three platforms come as towers. The 845GV and 945GV platforms are also available as 2U, 3U and 4U rackmount chassis for 19-inch cabinets.

Planning a Windows 2000 Migration to New Hardware

  • Legacy ISA cards. Windows 2000 assigns resources to Plug and Play devices, but jumper-configured ISA cards are not detected automatically. Record the IRQ, I/O address and DMA settings of each card in the existing machine, so they can be reserved for ISA in the new system's BIOS.
  • Service pack level. Note the service pack the application was validated against. Service Pack 4 was the final service pack for Windows 2000.
  • Drivers. Collect the Windows 2000 drivers for every add-in card before decommissioning the old machine. They are often no longer available from the card vendor.
  • Edition. Confirm whether the application runs on Windows 2000 Professional or Windows 2000 Server, since licensing and installation media differ.

For the installation itself, see How to Install Windows 2000 Professional.

Warranty, Shipping and Support

  • 2-year parts-and-labor warranty on complete systems; motherboards purchased separately carry 1 year. See the warranty and return policy.
  • Most orders ship within 3 to 5 business days from Irvine, California.
  • Returns are accepted within 30 days of invoice.
  • Technical support is based in the US and handled by engineers, not a call center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy a new computer that runs Windows 2000?

Yes. NIXSYS currently offers 12 new-production systems that support Windows 2000, priced from $1,000.00 to $1,515.00.

Which Windows 2000 computer has the most PCI slots?

The 945GV systems (NX-i95, NX-i295, NX-i395 and NX-i495) each have 5 32-bit PCI slots, alongside 2 full-size ISA slots.

Is there a rackmount Windows 2000 computer?

Yes. Rackmount models are available on the 845GV platform (NX-i290, NX-i390, NX-i490 and NX-i85R) and the 945GV platform (NX-i295, NX-i395 and NX-i495) in 2U, 3U and 4U chassis.

Can the same computer run Windows 7 later?

The 945GV systems support both Windows 2000 and Windows 7. The Pentium III and 845GV systems support Windows 2000 and Windows XP, but are not specified for Windows 7.

Related Guides

Configure and Order a Windows 2000 Computer

Request a quote: sales@nixsys.com or call (866) 464-9797.