Upgrade Guide

Is your PC an essential part of your job? Do you use it for more than Web surfing and occasional word processing? Are you having stability problems with Windows 95 or 98? If the answer to these questions is yes, then it may be time to consider moving to NT Workstation 4.0, which is a more solid platform. And it looks and works like Windows 9x.

Yes, the next incarnation of NT--Windows 2000--is expected to be available sometime this year, but if you've made up your mind that you need to upgrade, don't wait; go with NT Workstation 4.0 now. With the arrival of the Service Pack 4 update and bug fix, most of NT 4.0's problems seem to be ironed out. And you'll run into fewer unexplained crashes than with Windows 9x. NT's design also ensures that one buggy application won't crash your entire system, meaning fewer reboots and assured, constant operation.

But naturally, there are caveats. For one, Windows NT Workstation retails in the $275 range, while Win 98 costs about $100. Win NT also lacks Plug and Play, USB support, and power management features. Finally, NT uses considerably more hardware resources than Windows 9x--older Pentium systems will run noticeably slower under NT than under 9x. Still, a 200-MHz Pentium MMX with 64MB of RAM will run quite nicely, putting NT within reach of many users.

Most 32-bit Windows applications work better under NT than they do under Windows 9x. Exceptions include some system utilities, virus checkers, and gaming software. Check your software for NT compatibility before you forge onward. If you still run DOS apps, stick with Win 9x--it works better with older, 16-bit software.

For best results, you should install Windows NT "clean," on a freshly formatted hard disk. If you aren't ready to give up on 9x entirely, you can install NT so that it runs side-by-side with 9x, under a dual-boot configuration. When your PC starts, you will see a text menu that lets you choose which operating system to run. Be aware that you must also reinstall your applications under NT.

Installing NT is more challenging than installing 9x. Because NT lacks Plug and Play, it won't automatically recognize and configure devices. You must input device configurations yourself after the initial setup is complete. And connecting to a network or Internet account requires some technical background. Carefully review the extensive setup information that comes with NT. If you feel overwhelmed, call your local computer dealer or a knowledgeable friend for help.

Below is an overview of the NT Workstation setup. See also this month's Windows NT column.