xp that much better and why?

hi i am currently running windows 98 s.e. and i was wondering if at all why i should upgrade to windows xp. what would i gain/benefits if any.

 

I hear most people get XP with a new computer. Since I’m running both, (XP, 98SE) on two machines, I can tell you I love XP. But it isn't for beginners -- in my opinion. That, because it is so user-friendly that you can get all kinds of mistakes fixed quickly. But when you are your own administrator, it sure helps knowing something about "computing." The XP interface gives you only what you need to work.

For what it's worth, XP can be made to look like 98. I haven't done it. But it's a very good, powerful OS. And it uses a lot of resources. May not be cost effective, as just a few upgrades to your old box will soon pay for all the stuff in a new computer, which you can have for just a $ few hundred.

 

the only reason I got XP was for stability and speed. My Win98 was totally sick, and had alll kinds of compaq mess hidden throughout it. I wanted a clean install of Windows XP, and that's what I got. XP was worth the 100 dollar upgrade, for the speed and stability. If u've tweaked ur current os to the max, like some people, it might not be worth it

 

XP or not to be

saphir It's hard to advize cos we don't know what your box is now? Ya must have a Pent or Equiv 300mhz cpu, 128 meg ram, a big hard drive (2.4gig no,no) & a good video card 8mb min.

XP is very user friendly, puts you in the "Captains" chair for sure.

 

Hmmm which is better? Well, all I can do is tell you why I like XP over 98:

1) Not as much restarting: If a program crashes, you can [usually] force the program to quit without the fear that it'll take out the rest of your system too, forcing you to reboot!

2) You can set up more than one user! (VERY handy in my case, so I don't have to worry about other people who use my computer messing up my personal settings and getting into my files.)

3) Network config is much easier in XP than Win98.

4) It loads (from a cold-boot) MUCH faster than previous versions of Windows.

5) NTFS file system!! (It uses disk space more effeciently than Fat32 and allows for larger partitions.)

6) Older (even DOS based) programs will still work using the compatibility mode.. The only program I can't get to work anymore is my old WarCraft II, but others work just as well under XP.

7) The user interface is MUCH more customizable and nicer to look at (IMHO). Although you could use third-party software to customize 98 (like TweakUI) -- many options for customizing the interface are built in to XP.

8) Setting folder TYPES.. Nice ;-)

9) Linux/Unix-like ownership of files & fodlers.. You can make folders or files available to other users of the system, or keep them private to keep out prying eyes

10) BUILT IN SUPPORT FOR CD BURNING AND CD-RW !! I can now just drag and drop files to my CD burner -- When I'm ready, I just select "Write these files to CD now" and it does it -- No need for extra software! (Even works for CD-RW!)

Jeez -- I can't think of a single reason for me to revert to Win98

I'm only running an AMD K6-2/450 MHz system with 256 Megs of RAM, and it runs just fine on my system... Although I do notice a few [very small] slow-downs.. I personally wouldn't recommend running on anything less... Indeed, I plan on purchasing a 1.2 GHz sstem soon!! Woo hoo!

Anyhow, it's my opinion that XP rocks, even with the [very few] annoyances I've found!

 

Hi I have to agree,, I love XP..
I've got a P4 1.6 256 ddr and it flys.. I was a bit worried about my software not running but compatability mode fixed all my probs with old software.
the look the feel its great. and the screen savers + in xp plus are well worth it..
I used to have black ice then norton,, now xp 's firewall seeems to do the job well enough.

only thing its disk hungry

get it if your pc is up to it (cpu ram space) and enjoy

ron

 

gain/benefit,

If you're content with your 98SE system, and don't need or wish to gain enhanced features of XP's photo, music, networking, or wireless capabilities, and some visual tricks, you may not need nor benefit from the upgrade. If you don' t use those features now, you're likely not to use them when you upgrade.

Also, there may be incompatibility issues with your present system's components to an installation of XP that should be a consideration as well.

 

XP works for me!

It's absolutely fantastic. Solid as a rock and faster than a speeding bullet!

Most of my software is from Win95 days and everything works with the exception of PaperPort which is an auxillary scanner program and I really never used it anyway. The old bottom of the line Memorex SCF 3600P scanner even works.

I have installed GoBack and disabled the XP System Restore utility since I like GoGack much better. I was also influenced by the $20 rebate for it which is currently available at their site.

I'm running it on An HP Pavilion 540n @ 1.6 ghz (Intel P4) and 256 meg of ddr sdram.

 

XP is the best Windows I've worked with so far, with only one criticism: I got used to being pro-active w/95/98 (in terms of running "housekeeping" utilities and found XP (as delivered) to be a bit "pushy" in the use of pop-ups asking to perform functions for me. With a little help, my overly-helpful buddy has calmed down considerably. Have a good day!

 

Hi:

My Dell is 4 months old, came loaded with XP. The best thing I like, it has never crashed.
That is a giant improvement from my older IBM running W-95b.

You need plenty memory, most recommend 128 MB but you should have 256. I have 512 with a 1.8 GHz.

And plenty HD. My old computer had 4.3 GB, I used about 3 GB.

My new computer has 40 GB and I'm using 6.5 GB with about the same programs I had on the old one.

I really like XP, have NO complaints.

 

KenKeith, you took the words out of my mouth. Based on the gains listed in this thread I fall in the category of people who really wouldn't benefit from the upgrade. My Win98SE install never crashes or gives me any trouble. And I like the feeling knowing that I can still play the original Tomb Raider or the original System Shock (DOS).

But I credit my success with Win98SE to the fact that I build my own PCs and keep my machine and OS cleaner than my kitchen table. For people who are not as hands-on with PCs, XP may be the only way for them to achieve happiness due to its higher level of app-crash-tolerance and greater user-friendliness.

 

On second thought, perhaps I was a bit hasty with my complete approval of XP.

I have since found that XP is inhibitive of experimentation, lest we trigger a protective shutdown, and will not be well received by the tinkering masses which represent a large portion of the user market.

I think M$ will regret their actions and move to eliminate the automatic shut down feature when they are hit with the inevitable backlash.

Although I find XP to be reliable and stable, I find computer use less fun than before since I feel constrained (Trapped) by the impositions that are a part of it. It's like having a toy that you aren't allowed to play with.

I also feel threatened by the fact that if my hard drive fails, the copy of the software to restore it is gone forever, since I bought a machine with it already installed and got no CD. That seems to be another new standard that isn't serving the consumer too well.

Another thing, what happens when some goon eventually writes some malicious virus that exploits the "Activate or Shutdown" feature?

XP has a lot of ugliness at this point and I remain unconvinced of the corporate wisdom of M$ in this case.

It's pretty hard to boycott it since they cram it down your throat when you but a computer and they are abandoning support of the older systems on a regular basis.

Those who think M$ isn't a monopoly may need to analyze how much control they have over what you can do about the foregoing issues.

 

winxp

Hi there Zephyr I sure hope you get outa this "slump "

Well written & lotsa amo here for the hang on to 98 crowd!
The "Tinkering Masses ", me included, have found ways to side step most of the auto protect features etc: need I dare say more...NOT. That's the fun part man M$ ain't trapped those tinkerbells, only those that want stable, fast, boot-n-go owners & that's the majority! I build,service & sell these darn things since win3.XX days & the only real dissapointment, imo, was/is WinME.

Solution may be "Lindows" coming this summer to an indavidual like you BTW I really enjoy your posts! You have taught me alot

 

Hi Rancher!

Thanks for your kind words and the news about a possible Lindows in the future. Wouldn't that be fine to have a good alternative so that the market pressure would possibly exercise some leverage on the big player.

At this point, I'm not sure what XP and it's Activation feature really is but I tried to avoid stuff like that when I walked across the barn lot as a lad growing up on the farm.

I'll use it until it crashes and when I can't get it reloaded without having to buy another copy, I'll go back to the previous version or else migrate to something better. I don't see how that serves to reward M$ or me either but perhaps they have saved me from a life of crime.

Best regards..

 

Zephyr

I noticed your comment:

"I also feel threatened by the fact that if my hard drive fails, the copy of the software to restore it is gone forever, since I bought a machine with it already installed and got no CD. "


My computer came with XP installed but I also got a XP Installation CD.
I thought that would be the norm?

 

Hi Arkie!

Then you got a much better deal than I. I got mine at Fry's Electronics and it's a HP Pavilion 540n. It comes with XP preinstalled and the restore capability depends on the "Hidden" partition copy that is placed on the drive. Obviously that would have little value when the hard drive fails. I can imagine several other scenarios where it would be impossible to access that hidden drive to perform a restore on the system.

The "no CD supplied" really is a bummer especially when coupled to the other dark issues with XP. I understand it's quite common to get Windows that way but that doesn't mean it's right. It smacks of "clipping" the consumer and is just another straw in the load.

Regards

 

Zephyr

OK, I see.

I thought all computers came with the CD.

I thought it might have something to do with Product Activation.

Mine's a Dell... so I paid for the CD.

Thanks

 

Yeah, they use the term "Proprietary" system to describe such as mine but I can think of much better terms.

I think I paid for the disk too but only got the shaft. I guess I should have opened the box and looked inside before buying it to make sure it contained a complete set of hardware.

There I go trusting people again and buying a "pig in a poke ".

Don't get me wrong, HP is a good brand and the box works fine. I supposedly am able to selectively restore any preinstalled software by using the System Restore function but I'm still less than happy about the situation. I like to get a copy of any software I buy and feel vulnerable and cheated this time around.

The point is, what happens down the road when the warranty has expired and the hard drive fails? Don't answer, I think I already know.

Thanks for your attention.

 

I recently bought a Dell machine with XP installed. The disk with the purchase included a Reinstallation CD for Win XP. The reinstallation disk is only applicable to the present system coded to the original PC. Prevents unauthorized installations.

 

ZEPHER

HP has relented and will now supply a recovery CD.
http://www.hp.com/cposupport/personal_computing/support_doc/bph07238.html

The only problem with that is .... the recovery is back to the factory configuration that loses all the software that I nomally will be using.

I use Nova Store to backup the OS partition after all upgrades etc.. Then I can reinstall or even install another drive if needed.

XP dont seem to give any problem except I tend to experiment a lot and it can be brought down by old programs but not easly.

So, a restore from CDs has my system back up in just a couple of hours..