The following table lists the minimum hardware requirements to install and operate Windows 2000 Server and Windows 2000 Professional.

Component Windows 2000 Professional Windows 2000 Server
CPU
Pentium 166-MHz (or higher recommended) or Compaq Alpha-based processor Pentium 166-MHz (or higher recommended) or Compaq Alpha-based processor
Memory
32 megabytes (MB) (64 MB recommended)

For Alpha-based computers: 48 MB (96 MB recommended)

64 MB for servers supporting up to five clients (128 MB or higher recommended for most network environments)

For Alpha-based computers: 96 MB (128 MB or higher recommended)

Hard disk space
One or more hard disks with a minimum of 685 MB (1 gigabyte (GB) recommended) on the partition that will contain the system files

For Alpha-based computers: a minimum of 351 MB (1 GB recommended)

One or more hard disks with a minimum of 685 MB (1 GB recommended) on the partition that will contain the system files

For Alpha-based computers: a minimum of 367 MB (1 GB recommended)

Networking
Network adapter card One or more network adapter cards
Other drives
CD-ROM drive: 12X or faster recommended (not required for installing Windows 2000 over a network)

A high-density 3.5-inch disk drive as drive A, unless:

  • The computer supports starting the Setup program from a compact disc.
  • You are installing Windows 2000 over a network.
Accessories
Keyboard and mouse or other pointing device

Before you install Windows 2000, verify that your hardware is on the Windows 2000 Hardware Compatibility List (HCL). Because Microsoft provides tested drivers for only those devices that are listed on the Windows 2000 HCL, using hardware that is not listed on the HCL may cause problems during and after installation. For a copy of the HCL, see the Hcl.txt file in the Support folder on the Windows 2000 compact disc.

You will also find the most recent versions of the HCL on the Internet at http://www.microsoft.com/hwtest/hcl

Important   Microsoft supports only those devices that are listed on the HCL. If you have hardware that is not on this list, contact the hardware manufacturer to determine if there is a manufacturer-supported driver for the component that is Windows 2000 compliant.