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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2007 12:19:17 GMT -5
Please don't come in and say get a Mac or Unix or whatever. I'm extremely frustrated right now and not in the mood to debate which is better.
I've been using Win98 which I like just fine but there's several other versions so IF I were to upgrade, I'd like to know some opinions on what versions other window users have and their thoughts, pros/cons.
Please help me out with this. Thanks, Cher
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Post by hermatite on Mar 28, 2007 12:38:29 GMT -5
Get a mac. okay okay okay...you know I HAD to do that. We had the millenium version which i liked but then my husband HAD to switch to Vista. Cue a week of cursing and buying extra computer doodads to make it work. So, I wouldn't recommend Vista for you. Though, sooner or later, I suppose, that will be all that's available.
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rallyrocks
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 28, 2007 13:08:42 GMT -5
If your machine is (still!?) working with 98, you almost certainly will have problems going to XP or vista, if you even can at all. My suggestion would be to buy a whole new computer rather than messing with upgrading an old one, upgrading gets really complicated with memory and drive space and hardware compatibility, none of which is even considered in the modern computer market. For only a little more than the cost of just a new operating system (bought through legitimate channels of course- Vista "ultimate" retails for $399, just for the software, never mind the hardware upgrades you'd need to even load it on your system) you can probably order yourself up a whole new system that runs circles around your old system.(Dell has 2 systems offered at under $400; www.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/desktops?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd)The whole programmed obsolescence thing is both a blessing and a curse.
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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2007 13:31:04 GMT -5
Upgrade or new computer, I'd like to know opinions of the different versions. All except Vista that is, I'm not interested in that at all.
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Post by deb193 on Mar 28, 2007 13:51:38 GMT -5
Cher - Unless the hard drive is 40gig or larger (60 or 80 is better) and the speed is at least 1.1GHz, you will not be able to upgrade. Yes, Win 200 would "fit" but thet version was buggy. So you are essentially loking at XP. The cost of an upgrade license varies from $70 (academic) to $140. It will get cheaper as Vista makes more inraod.
But you can get a new system with 15" or 17" panel monitor for about $500-$600. (You can get cheaper if you go refurbished, or buy a closeout. There are some nice Dell systems on ebay)
This will get you the USB 2.0 and built in ethernet support so you gcould get DSL or somehting. Fast PhotoShop performance ... etc.
Still the difference is a lot of rocks.
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rallyrocks
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 28, 2007 13:52:21 GMT -5
The thing is, XP is now "obsolete" so it will no longer have any "support" (as if it ever did) and pretty much every upgrade will involve some issues with hardware compatibility and such, especially with Win98 vintage computers. Here is a good place to start, compare your hardware specs to the system requirements; www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/upgrading/sysreqs.mspx
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stefan
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Post by stefan on Mar 28, 2007 13:53:51 GMT -5
I run a Pentium 4 with a gig of memory- and 2 HD's (10 gig and a 50 gig) My son built the computer for just a little over $600 (for the core of the stuff- we have an updated video and sound card- 2 cd-dvd writers (hmm come to think of it- the one craped out and he never fixed it) a "new" modem (cuase we only have dialup) and a floppy drive (yea yea I know) It is a pieced together bastardazation of a machine- but it is the most stable machine I have ever used- We have only had 2 Windows based crashes- and both were rooted in some old ME files I had transfered. We run XP and I looked at Vista- but it is still too buggy for my tastes (and abilities) If you contact one of the local computer places- you may be SHOCKED at what they will build you a machine for- Our local guy starts at around $400 (no moniter) SO I say look at some local places first- cause in all honesty if you were running 98- the machines are gonna cost you MORE to upgrade than they are worth- and as rally points out they may never really work right anyway. so the answers you were looking for: XP New machine
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Post by akansan on Mar 28, 2007 14:11:12 GMT -5
Just for support sakes, I'd go with XP. My favorite Windows OS so far has been 2000, but I've used XP for five years now and am very familiar with it. XP will also still be supported in another five years, so....
What is your most-up-to-date system running hardware-wise? You mentioned the old one was a P2. What's the new one? I might be able to help you upgrade.
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MichiganRocks
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Post by MichiganRocks on Mar 28, 2007 15:01:54 GMT -5
Hey Cher, if you have to run Windows, the only one to use is Windows 2000. It is XP without all the bells and whistles, and it's the bells and whistles that cause the problems. 2000 will run roughly 30% faster than 98 and it's the most stable operating system that Microslop has ever made. Of course, if you really want a good system, linux is the only way to go! ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png) Ron
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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2007 15:27:18 GMT -5
I've had computers built before so know all that jazz. Also know about the cost of an OS and also that my computer is toooooooo damn old to even think of fixing or upgrading. Possibly looking at a new computer, seeing as how I paid off the old cc recently. In all reality, I'll probably have to buy someone's used one but it will still be newer than mine. (Don't tell me, I know ... buying someone else's problems). All I really want is your opinion on whatever windows you're running. There's a million pros and cons on all of them, I just thought I'd ask here for what version you're running, what you like, what you don't like. I have got access to just about any version I want (Thanks Akansan), I just want to know what you like or dislike about each one that you are running or have tried. Ron, that's good to know about 2,000, I don't need any bells and whistles but that must be just about obsolete too. Hell, I don't even know how many versions there are, or Second Editions (cause they couldn't get it right the first time around) ..... right now about the only thing that would make me really really happy is a stick of dynamite, or possibly Pete's suggestion on using this thing for practice on the WF. AKansan, the one that died was a used p3 that I got 2 years ago. The only thing I have right now to run is this p2 (331 Mhz, 64 Meg of ram). Sorry if it seems like I'm crabby, I'm just very unhappy right now ... ![:'(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cry.png)
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Post by xenaswolf on Mar 28, 2007 15:42:06 GMT -5
All I can say is, I bought a new computer about a month or so ago and it came with Vista. Vista sucks pure and simple. The damn machines shuts down all the time and nothing wants to run on it. If you can, stick with XP
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Post by sandsman1 on Mar 28, 2007 15:50:16 GMT -5
cher i only know xp and as dumb as i am with all the computer stuff i can still function with it iv never realy had a prob with xp -- i have it running on my laptop and desktop
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WarrenA
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Post by WarrenA on Mar 28, 2007 18:51:46 GMT -5
XP professional if you can get it
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Post by texaswoodie on Mar 28, 2007 19:35:59 GMT -5
I have 2 computers. One is older Compaq with Win 98. One is Dell with XP. I will run the 98 until it just falls apart in the floor. XP is a horrible memory hog and I don't know for sure, but I would imagine Vista is worse. Thinking of going Mac next time.
Curt
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KG1960
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Post by KG1960 on Mar 28, 2007 19:39:53 GMT -5
I just bought a used computer about a month ago from a used computer dealer. $300, Dell Pentium 4, 2.4 gig with Win XP, Service Pack 2. The guy in the store said he wouldn't load Vista even if asked because it's junk right now. The $300 included the licensed copy of XP. It's been working great!
Don't be the first guy in line to buy new software! Wait for Version 2.
I also bought a new laptop for my daughter in college (talk about burning up a Visa card!). The problem with a new computer is that they only come with Vista now - I checked Best Buy, Circuit City, and a few local stores.
As others have said, get XP.
Oh BTW, we just got new computers at work. The IT people there insisted on getting XP. They didn't want to have to fool with Vista.
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Rockygibraltar
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Post by Rockygibraltar on Mar 28, 2007 20:05:28 GMT -5
I built this computer from a bare bones kit and stuff from my old computers. I am running windows xp pro. I find that it works perfectly. I have found that computers that come from the factory with all the software loaded in have a lot of "other" programs loaded as well. These other programs can realy clog up a computer and I find that they will often cause problems. So, I now install my os alone and can add just the programs that I want. This has helped alot.
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Post by Cher on Mar 28, 2007 21:42:30 GMT -5
The problem with a new computer is that they only come with Vista now - I checked Best Buy, Circuit City, and a few local stores. My son just got a new computer from Best Buy maybe a month ago. He had to argue over and over to get it with a different OS that Vista. I've been looking online at Dell, HP and that's all they offer. There was a really nice Dell for less than $700 but again with the Vista. There's the possibility of getting one built locally for about $700 so would have local warranty. And that would also let me choose my OS. It really sucks when you're forced into something you don't want.
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rallyrocks
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Post by rallyrocks on Mar 28, 2007 22:07:41 GMT -5
I hear you- I think now is a particulalry tough time to be in that situation, in a year or two Vista should shake down to being somewhat reliable, but for now I wouldn't want to have to go there.
You should still be able to get a machine built up and loaded with XP, and having used both pro and home I would say if you can- go with pro.
Then again if you really prefer a stripped down OS I think today's Windows 2000 is now called windows server 2003, but it looks to still have a few years of "extended support" left.
But if you're going that far, a linux machine might be worthy of more serious consideration.
And I'd also say its good to give the business locally when you can, better service and getting what you really want is well worth paying a little more.
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Post by akansan on Mar 28, 2007 23:23:35 GMT -5
Server 2003 is also technically discontinued for Server 2007. It was the updated version of the Server 2000, but not the 2000 Pro. It's rather expensive right now because of it. I'd also recommend Pro over Home if you're looking at OSes. And I completely agree with everyone here to avoid Vista like the plague right now...if you can. ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by lbowman1 on Mar 29, 2007 7:29:30 GMT -5
I guess we're the only people not having trouble with Vista. How did that happen? Our laptop we bought in Feb works great. Had to turn off a few functions of Vista but now it runs like the Windows on the this machine.
But as far as which Windows do you like I was happy with 3.11 back in the old days. ;D
Lori
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