XP, worth the money?

AndrewT · Feb 18, 2002

Does it worth to upgrade? I mean does it do a lot better than my 98se? (I have no problems with 98se so I don't care that others do) Did run the 30 day version XP for a few hours, looked like more of an eye candy. Didn't notice anything special that would make me want to dish out $297.99 (home full, or $450.00 for PRO full. Canadian $ at <A HREF="http://www.microbytes.com" target="_new">MicroBytes</A>, maybe cheaper at Costco.

Got sick of dishing out chunks of money just to have a new OS come out in a year. So now I need more than pretty desktop and 450 skins for media player to make me dish out a chunk again (this time it's a pretty big chunk).

Anyway, my ISP doesn't have the software to get on-line with XP yet so no hurry. I wonder how long before they wake up :lol:

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

hammerhead · Feb 18, 2002

I like XP, it handles large amounts of RAM well, only ever got it to crash once, blah blah blah...

However, if you're happy with your current O/S, there is just no point in upgrading. Don't bother.

jiffy · Feb 18, 2002

I'm in the same boat. I use Win98se, mainly because I think it plays games better and faster, despite what others say. I yet to find a hardware or software that doesn't work on Win98se.
The memory management is not as good as Win2k or XP, but that doesn't affect me for what I use it for. I also have Win2k. I have a lot of computer goodies I want, winXP is not near the top of the list.

Zoron · Feb 18, 2002

Considering support for 98SE will soon fall by the wayside (the OS is more than 3 years old now); it wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade.

XP is a lot more than eye candy. Imagine if you will an OS that is as stable as Windows 2000 and yet plays games like 98SE. Not to mention the NTFS file system which is superior to FAT32 in many ways.

You don't have to wait for your lazy ISP to get off their butts to release software compatible with XP. I'm not sure what your using (dial-up, cable, DSL), but XP is compatible with them all. I'm on ADSL and I don't need my ISP's crappy (Enternet 300) software to connect; I just use XP's built-in support for PPPoE.

 If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it.

lagger · Feb 18, 2002

Not to mention the NTFS file system which is superior to FAT32 in many ways.

Other than increased network security what advantages doews ntfs offer the home user ??

lagger

Checking under my north AND south bridges for trolls

Guest · Feb 18, 2002

Is XP a more stable OS? Yes, Is it faster with games? A little. Is it worth you upgrading to. No!!!

The reason I say this is, you are stable now, you run games and you have no problems. Why change, wait for a little bit untill you start having issues. Till some of your hardware that you purchase is no longer supported and you must move on, but hopefully at that time the latest XP will be down in price. Good luck

Zoron · Feb 18, 2002

Are you looking to incur the wrath of Smilin'?

Read his post here:
<A HREF="http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=faq&notfound=1&code=1" target="_new">http://forumz.tomshardware.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=faq&notfound=1&code=1</A>

 If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it.

Zoron · Feb 18, 2002

One other note... don't waste money on the full retail copies if you are eligable for an upgrade. Despite what some may tell you... you are able to completely wipe the drive and load XP clean from the upgrade CD. All you have to do is make sure you have your Windows 98 or ME or whatever CD handy when you are prompted to insert it.

 If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it.

AndrewT · Feb 18, 2002

Ignore the Re:...

Ok so I guess I can wait till I have to upgrade, prices might fall some.
But I bet the day I get it MS will start advertising a newer OS, just my luck.

For fun I installed again the 30 day trial version I got, still working. How do you do the net access in it? Yes I have ADSL and a dumb software to log onto it with username and pass.

Want to give it a run longer than a few hours, install my games and apps to see what happens, surf and game on-line some. If I have to upgrade soon anyway I rather be ready to see what doesn't work with it.

Thanks guys

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

btvillarin · Feb 18, 2002

If you want to see what software has been compatible with WinXP, <A HREF="http://www.xpsc.net" target="_new">this site</A> should help in answering some of those questions.

Need more links and research? <A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin/WindowsXP/links.htm" target="_new">Try my page of links.</A>

Even if M$ does release a new one, it doesn't mean XP will be obselete. It should also signify that they've become aware of bugs that can be patched. I think it's just like Win2K is right now. Some people have found that Windows 2000 is just fine for them right now, since stability is all they need. Maybe Microsoft's next OS will have something more to offer than XP.

On the side note of ADSL, I also had to use Enternet 300. But, that's until I found <A HREF="http://user.cs.tu-berlin.de/~normanb/" target="_new">RASPPPoE</A>. Great software. Now, XP has built in support. It just means less driver conflicts.

P.S. Is that A7V133 still buggin??? Ouch...

<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin" target="_new">My Website</A>-reorganized & updated everyday

AndrewT · Feb 18, 2002

Thanks a lot for your page and the RASPPPoE!

I'm on XP right now, weird that in the connection it show isdn when I got adsl, also it didn't ask anything so no clue how it knows which ISP I want to connect to. Well I guess will find out when somebody come knocking on my door :lol: . But for real, no clue who am I connected to (getting irc and see what it say when I log on). Edit: I'm connected to my own ISP, no clue how but it's cool

Guess I have to install detonator driver, the one XP installed gives me a full 60 fps in quake2 instead of 350 fps (ugh) Will take some time to see what other drivers I need, then finding the fix for bad drivers :lol: Edit: The new detonator driver got problems with XP the site say so, great, guess no detonator for now. Spider Solitaire here I come, no fps problem! Still bugging me how I'm going to switch to TV (instead of monitor) and back.

Motherboard is fine for a while now, replaced my IDE cables, format drives, and now no more errors.

XP PRO full $515.50 with tax here, kind of hoping I don't start liking this a lot! :lol: Can I install PRO on my other systems or it will do the net registration thing and screw me in the arse? I know home does that, no clue how PRO does it other than the code it comes with. Know so little about this OS that it's sad.

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

Zoron · Feb 19, 2002

Your modem is connected to your ISP constantly... all connecting your computer to your modem does is allow your computer to access the internet. (Think of the modem as another computer on a network).

Pro is exactly the same as Home in terms of activation/registration... as I said in a previous post get the upgrade version; you'll save yourself a good chunk of change.

 If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it.

AndrewT · Feb 19, 2002

okay, thanks

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

btvillarin · Feb 19, 2002

When you installed XP, did you have your NIC connected to the modem? If not, then in the Control Panel, go to Network Connections and run the "New Connection Wizard."

I didn't understand you when you said the Detonator drivers had problems with XP. Are you try to DL them from the Windows Update website? Lately, that's been kinda buggy. I'd go to the <A HREF="http://www.nvidia.com/view.asp?PAGE=windows2000" target="_new">Nvidia and download it there</A>. If you did go there, I wouldn't understand why it wouldn't install. Can you give some more details on that issue?

Why was it $515!?! That's nutz! If you have a previous version of Windows, you can probably buy an update version instead. That'd cut off the amount you'd have to pay for it. And, unfortunately for WPA, you can only install it on one computer. <A HREF="http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s=1027&a=11079,00.asp?kc=ETNKT0107KTX1K0000361" target="_new">Read about Windows Product Activation</A>

<A HREF="http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp" target="_new">The difference between XP Home and XP Pro</A>

Bryan

P.S. Glad to hear that your A7V133 is working okay.

<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin" target="_new">My Website</A>-reorganized & updated everyday

Guest · Feb 19, 2002

Don't know if this helps the Canadians but XP Pro license is listed as $147 US at www.atomicpark.com

Working on computers is what you do when you get tired of glowing in the dark.

AndrewT · Feb 19, 2002

The net is cool, no problems there. It was pretty simple to do.

There was some talk about XP + via + geforce 2 + detonator = loop/crash in games. No clue, I finished reading hundreds of post today, reading everything that got anything to do with XP. BTW I love the simple Ctrl+Alt+T switch to TV and back to monitor, last time I used the detonator driver it didn't have that easy switch (it was a while ago).

515 with the 15% taxes we got up here, and it's Canadian dollar not US

Not going to buy it now anyway, when I get enough hardware/software that would like XP a lot, then will think about it. It bites big time that I would have to buy multiples of XP to use it on all my systems, they're dreaming if MS think it will stop piracy.

Anyway, I'll find a way around using one copy for all 4. After all they're all mine and I'll be paying for the OS.

ok thanks for the help, I'll keep visiting your site for goodies.

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

btvillarin · Feb 20, 2002

If you ever build a new computer in the near future, then I'd suggest going with XP. But, if you're okay right now, then sit tight. (I feel stupid...I was thinking about 515$USD :lol:

Anyways, the only way you can use a copy of WinXP for four computer is to get your hands on a Corporate edition (I'll just leave it at that).

And about my site...eh...I'm not gonna rant. I just hope you like it enough to visit a lot. C-ya!

Bryan

<A HREF="http://www.geocities.com/btvillarin" target="_new">My Website</A>-reorganized & updated everyday

Rob423 · Feb 20, 2002

go to Kazza...etc winXP professional got it in 2 hours..with cable.. installed without a problem...installed it when it first came out..still have it and works superb. Driver Problems etc.. just had to wait for new one's to come out.

later, rob

Once you go AMD, You never Go back!!

AndrewT · Feb 20, 2002

LOL for 550 US$ it would collect dust in the stores and Bill Gates would be washing cars at some station for lunch money!

Handsome A7V133 looking for long term relationship with a XP CPU. Prefer non smoker.

XP, worth the money?

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