Should I switch to Windows XP pro?

[derek murray]

I am trying to decide whether I should switch from Windows 2000 professional to Windows XP professional. The only real reason I was considering this was for the compatibility option in XP which might let me run some of my older software.... is it worth it and is there a good arguement to do this other than the 'chance' of running older software?

[mudman]

Hah! .....The operating system you are using will self destruct in 5...4...3...2...

Wait for the world to switch to Mac. My XP has the same quirks as previous MS schat, just more complex and 'user friendly'
-Jeremy

[Rot 911]

Actually XP has less compatibilty with older software and hardware than does Win2000!

[dd74]

I wouldn't. I just blew the hard drive on my work laptop, and found out that to reinstall XP Pro, it'll cost me $270, and you only get two opportunities to install the software before it self destructs. Evidentally, Microsoft doesn't allow IBM, Dell and the others to give XP disks with the machines like they did with older OS's.

Right now I'm installing a new hard drive and am debating getting an old 98 disk or 2000.

Or getting a Mac...

[surflvr911sc]

If you purchase an original XP, not just OEM mfr installed version, you won't have install issues. Also you need to purchase a separate one for every computer you plan to install it on or you will be locked out of updates.

Why XP Pro? Are there reasons you need to extra network capabilities that Pro gives you?

FWIW, I think 2000 was probably the most sable version of Windows ever produced, not sure I would want to give that up until I really needed to. Also about the Compatibility Manager, most things either work when set to 2000 or they won’t work at all, but the market has caught up w/ XP and XP updates have helped some. Point being, I doubt XP will help w/ programs that have trouble w/ 2000.

EDIT: I use 2000 Pro at work and XP Home at home. I love XP, the mutimedia options are awesome compared to 2000, but it's not nearly as stable as 2000.

[derek murray]

Guys - I have always liked 2000, and agree it has been the most stable of any Windows OS so far... but as of a few days ago I installed a new hard drive (80Gig / 8MB cache) and now my Need for Speed - Porsche Unleashed won't work (insert embarrassed cough here) unless I bring my min and max virtual memory settings down to 400. Everything else seems to work ok, but I have yet to install all my programs...

When I started to research a solution (after many reformats, reinstalls, etc, etc.) I read about XP's compatibility wizard, which got me thinking that maybe XP would allow me to run my old version of 3d Studio Max (which currently sits on a dedicated Windows 95 machine) and get NFSP - PU working too.

...guess I'll leave well enough alone. - thanks for the advice.


Ryan: I was thinking XP Pro only as a way to learn it and then maybe install it on our office machines... which are currently 2000 (and happy)

[surflvr911sc]

Why didn't you say so???

You will have more problems w/ NFSPU using XP. Have you hit any of the PU team sites for upgrades/fixes? XP Compat Wizard won't do squat!

I've heard of the virtual mem trick but it didn't help for me. I have it working pretty good now but everything was a compromise.

[derek murray]

Originally posted by surflvr911sc
Why didn't you say so???

You will have more problems w/ NFSPU using XP. Have you hit any of the PU team sites for upgrades/fixes? XP Compat Wizard won't do squat!

I've heard of the virtual mem trick but it didn't help for me. I have it working pretty good now but everything was a compromise.

I did visit a number of PU team sites, but the memory trick was all I could find... I guess I'll live with it... but it sure is frustrating knowing that before installing the new hard drive everything worked great... I also knew XP came with Movie Maker which would be fun for my son to play with ...

... I brought my car out of winter hibernation last weekend so I probably won't have time for any 'computer time' anyway

[derek murray]

Originally posted by BillyPilgrim
I don’t know anything about games compatibility... But I run 3DS Max R4 on 2000 with no problems, and I’ve had previous versions on there. I think the older versions were R2 or R3, but I think I had NT 4.0 when I was using R1. Might be time to upgrade Max if you’re using a pre-R3 release.

I have R4 and R2... I use R2 once in awhile when R4 won't do what I tell it to do... secretly, I know its my inability thats the problem... but I prefer to call it 'old school' in front of my staff

[84porsche]

I have ran NFS - PU on both my XP machines with no problems - my only problem is my laptop got fried and my saved game is on it - thanks to NFS - PU - I was able to enjoy college a little better. XP is overly user friendly, it has its goods and bads - try both O/S's and see which one you like better.

[beepbeep]

XP has same kernel as 2000 but much more "consumer fluff".

Do not switch!

I'm running same installation of 2000 for four years.

[dhoward]

XP pro on all 4 desktops and 3 laptops at home. No issues, and I am running some dedicated, proprietary weather data PCI hardware. It's been very reliable since the first SP1 fiasco....
oh, and XP Pro on over 7000 machines at work. Many fewer support issues...

[dd74]

Here's my question: IBM said they'll send me "software" which I assume includes the XP Pro OS and a whole host of their proprietary IBM bling-bling stuff that came with the laptop.

I'm thinking instead of screwing with all that, that I should install 2000 instead. Is that possible on a machine that came OEM with XP? I don't really care if I lose some of the functionality as far as IBM help files, internet access so forth and so on.

One feature I would not like to lose is the ability to burn CDRs and RWs to back up my files. I've heard 2000 doesn't have this capability.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Switch to Linux and never worry about anything again.

[dd74]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Switch to Linux and never worry about anything again.

Would if we could, but we have a specialized inventory software that I don't think works with Linux.

For my personal machine, I would. I just need it to interface with simple stuff - DSL, an old HP laserjet and a Zip drive. I'm just too lazy to set the thing up...

[blogic]

it's all about - win 95 - the shizznit...

nah dude - go with XP and step into the future....works well, no problems

[campbellcj]

Of all the Windows flavors, XP (and 2003 Server) has been the most stable in my experience, and the UI and feature enhancements -- although relatively minor -- are a pleasant upgrade. I have had virtually no software or hardware compatibility issues in recent years, although we keep most everything pretty current as an element of being in the software/IT biz.

That said, I rarely see value in doing OS upgrades on older hardware, especially when you factor in your time and money to reconfigure the system and potentially reinstall or upgrade your apps.

I also strongly prefer to do a clean reformat/reinstall when switching OS versions, which typically occurs after a few years' time span. In-place upgrade installations leave a whole lot of baggage on the system (Registry clutter etc) and can also lead to strange issues with permissions, orphaned services, etc.

Unless you plan to either upgrade or replace the hardware concurrently, I would think twice about upgrading an existing machine that is doing its job!

[speeder]

What would you do if you were unlucky enough to own a machine w/ Windows ME on it? (2001 Sony Vaio desktop, P3 866 MHz).

I've heard that ME is the worst possible version of Windows, and that either 2000 or XP would be preferable. I've been offered an XP injection by a couple of different people, which is better for my machine/application, XP pro or home? TIA.

[911pcars]

Sorry if this is high-jacking the thread, but what do you guys know about a product called "Lindows"; supposed to be a Windows-compatible OS running on Linux. The company started to market it overseas, but MS stepped in and got a judge to stop sales. Good ole MS does it again.

Just a Mac guy but my kids are already brainwashed with Windows,
Sherwood

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Actually Linux will run most, if not all Windows applications. I can run 3D Max, AutoCAD, all the games I've tried, etc. The windows emulators have gotten MUCH better over the last few years. . . It's worth checking out.

Supposedly the next version of Windows will use real-time validation and your personally identifiable information to "prevent piracy" (translation: protect Microsoft's bottom line). I think anyone that doesn't want to hand over their personal information to the Gates "big brother" monopoly should seriously get proficient on Linux P.D.Q. Just my $0.02.