Author Topic: Windows XP... (Read 865 times)

zorstorer · « **on:** November 12, 2007, 03:07:03 PM »

After years of shutting my eyes and holding my breath it finally seems I need to ditch windows 2000 and upgrade to XP.

What is the best way to go about doing this? Not really the tech side of it, I am fine with formatting one of my HD's for XP. I am just wondering which version of XP I should go for, this will be for my general gaming rig. I don't need anything too fancy but media center looks kind of cool as I use my computer for my TV.

I searched for OEM Windows XP and the home edition seems to go for 89.00 USD or so. Is this about the best price I am going to get?

Thanks for any help.

Also what does DSP mean when used with OEM?

NOT · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:26:12 PM »

XP PROFESSIONAL

NOT

ghi · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:35:53 PM »

i'm using XP on my home sistem i use for gaming, but i bought a HP laptop with Vista preinstaled in january, and works fine, lots of updated came out and i didn't try it for gaming yet

eagl · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:44:01 PM »

I've had good luck with all 3 versions of XP (home, pro, MCE) so I'd say look at the features and try to decide if there is any reason to spend any more on pro or MCE over home.

If you do networking with a domain, you need pro. MCE is built on pro, but I don't know if it retains the advanced networking of pro or not.

zorstorer · « **Reply #4 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:44:45 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by NOT
XP PROFESSIONAL

NOT

So its worth the extra 50.00 USD for XP PRO?

Nilsen · « **Reply #5 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:45:18 PM »

XP pro if you are not into vista

NOT · « **Reply #6 on:** November 12, 2007, 03:55:26 PM »

it is to me.

NOT

Chairboy · « **Reply #7 on:** November 12, 2007, 04:13:32 PM »

NOT, your messages are confusing when you sign them 'NOT', as that makes it seem like you're being sarcastic in a mid-90s sort of way. "I like those jeans... NOT!" Took me a few messages to realize you were actually endorsing XP Pro.

...an endorsement I second. XP Pro is a good OS, and you can turn off the eye candy and find that it runs better than 2K. I was a late adopter too, but I've never looked back since going XP. I've even installed it on a 333mhz machine with no troubles, it's resource smart.

JB73 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 12, 2007, 04:16:53 PM »

XP Pro.

much more user configurable, and easier for someone to work through tweaks with you.

you can use Skuzzy's list of processes to kill, and others here can tell you all sorts of performance enhancements.... not that it needs a ton with a clean install from scratch like you sound to be doing.

it's the added bloatware "dell 20 programs running in the background" and stuff that makes an XP machine slow down.

Boroda · « **Reply #9 on:** November 12, 2007, 05:02:13 PM »

We do not support the propagation of theft of copyrighted material.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2007, 05:04:55 PM »

XP Pro is supported until 2014. All other versions of XP will be dropped from support in 2010.

2bighorn · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2007, 05:26:04 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skuzzy
XP Pro is supported until 2014. All other versions of XP will be dropped from support in 2010.

MS matched lifecycle support for XP home and MCE.

Mainstream support for all XP versions ends on 4/14/2009.

Extended support ends on 4/8/2014 *

(*) The Extended Support phase follows Mainstream Support for Business and Developer products.
At the supported service pack level, Extended Support includes:

* Paid support
* Security update support at no additional cost
* Non-security related hotfix support requires a separate Extended Hotfix Support Agreement to be purchased (per-fix fees also apply)

Please note:

* Microsoft will not accept requests for warranty support, design changes, or new features during the Extended Support phase
* Extended Support is not available for Consumer, Hardware, or Multimedia products

zorstorer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 12, 2007, 06:10:13 PM »

Thanks for the input folks

Now what exactly should I look for when buying XP Pro? Just an OEM box? I am going to do a clean install and not an upgrade. I just want a clean, fresh system

Also is MCE based on Pro? Or is it just an upgraded home? All I really do with my computer other than gaming is watch TV and maybe some movies

SD67 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 12, 2007, 06:16:07 PM »

We have 3 systems here, one XPpro, one XPMCE and one XPhome.
We've played AH on all; the XPpro machine owns them all only recently due to a CPU upgrade but until then the MCE machine was the better performer.
I didn't waste my time doing anything much more with the home machine other than stuck it upstairs for a wireless media bridge.

DREDIOCK · « **Reply #14 on:** November 12, 2007, 07:12:20 PM »

Whichever version you decide to get. You can save some money by getting XP "UPGRADE" not the full version.

All you need is an old windows disk (assuming you still have your 2000 disk and you will get the exact same operating system as you would if you bought the full version. Only for less money.