Topic: the end of windows xp!

[dave500]

support ends shortly for windows xp,whats the option?run it untill something goes wrong or just bite the bullet and go 8.1?which will probably mean a new rig aswell.

[mick7504]

I upgraded from XP a few years ago now - kicking n screaming about it.
Still got the XP disc for reloading which is an upgrade from W2000 Pro.
Never chuck anything out!!!

Reckon that there's also a few original W98 discs somewhere in the cupboard too.
W7 & W8 are easy to use once you get your head around the changes from the earlier versions.

[petercb750]

I hear windows 8 has issues....

[dave500]

they all have issues?does 8.1 fix a few?

[totty]

End of support effectively means end of security updates - not only that but updates released for newer OS's will help guide those looking for flaws in XP.

The only sound advice is to switch to 8.1 (or Linux) but if it's a home PC used for little more than web browsing then personally I'd be tempted to take the gamble, for any other usage I wouldn't take the risk.

[dave500]

i purchase online a little so not worth the risk i think?this rig has run fine for over two years only to be unplugged and stored away,i dont think itll be fully compatible with 8.1?

[totty]

For online purchases the fraud protection of your credit card provider may remove the risk, but a 8.1 or even 7 upgrade is sensible.

Minimum specs
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/system-requirements
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/products/system-requirements

I don't have any 8.1 experience, but for Windows 7 I'd want the 32 bit version with a 2GHz dual core or better processor and 2 to 3 GB memory - at Microsofts minimum specs it runs like a dog. (64bit is technically superior but it has it's drawbacks so without looking at your needs in detail I'd always recommend 32)

We buy refurbished PC's in this spec range at around £170.

[krusty]

I updated my XP netbook to W8 and it runs better than ever. I also updated this comp to W8.1 from W7 & W8. Having no problems at all. The only issues I could see were in peoples' minds in that, like most of us, we get comfortable with something and are reluctant to change. The biggest minus upgrading from XP is that you need to reinstal non MS programs whereas there's no need to with Vista and W7. The missus updated her laptop from Vista and it runs better, faster and the battery lasts longer. Vista was a joke. Got a Windows phone now too. Also, I no longer need to run Norton or McAfee. Been a year now and no security issues at all.

[LesterPiglet]

I've been running Win7 for ages. I have it customized to be as much like XP as I can make it. I like it.
Haven't taken to 8, too fancy for me. It's really best with touchscreens.

[shark]

Google Chrome claims to be supporting XP until 2015. That's my solution for now.

This computer was bought in 2001, and is on it's last legs. A new operating system is not a option.

According to the internet, microsoft may be coming out with windows 9.

Really not sure what to do at this point.

 

[nccb]

Dave, why not go with a linux option for free instead of paying for win#$%*?

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

[totty]

Dave, why not go with a linux option for free instead of paying for win#$%*?

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

Or for a more Windows like desktop on the same platform that nccb suggested http://www.kubuntu.org/
They may still offer a long service release guaranteeing security updates for 10 years.

I've only deployed ubuntu as a server, my preference for a desktop PC is http://www.mepis.org/. I believe all of three options allow you to run it off a CD so you can check compatibility and find your way around before committing to an install - even then you can "dual boot" so you don't loose Windows.

There are pros and cons to Linux, over the years some distros have evolved closer to windows wiping out some of each, but it still isn't for everyone.

[boatsdickson]

I've always enjoyed XP and sure don't appreciate it going away. I think I read 35% of businesses still use XP in the workplace so I see this as a way of forcing the minority OS users to shell out more money for the upgrade/replacement. But that's my normal pessimistic thinking for ya.

I wasn't too worried of it going away for a few of my laptops, I have a sp2 oem version to reload if problems arise. I did try to load a WIN7 oem on my asus the other day though and found that most of the hardware installed isn't set up for newer than xp so that will render a lot of my older stuff obsolete in a hurry. Bummer.

[dave500]

Dave, why not go with a linux option for free instead of paying for win#$%*?

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop

thanks for the replies,ive toyed with ubuntu on a spare computer nccb,still have a few months to sort something out,ill be seeing a lot more old computers at the dump shortly i guess?

[nccb]

Ah ok,  I only use windows when I'm at work for the most part, on macs at home.  I was reading your post as not wanting to purchase a new computer so I figured you could get something with Linux that wouldn't  require as much hardware.  On a personal note, if you don't mind purchasing a new computer, I would purchase a mac (either macbook pro or an iMac if you are a desktop guy), unless of course you work on it and need software that isn't portable.  But I do think I like the chrome book considering how cheap it is.

[dave500]

i thought macs were for left handed people only?

[LesterPiglet]

Left handed rich people.

[nccb]

I'm right, but I skate goofy    Honestly, I like working within osx but I know its personal.  I have win7 on a partition just in case I need to use it for software (mainly ArcGIS), but I haven't booted in windows in probably 3 years.  If you haven't used it, I would highly suggest going to a local apple store and just playing on them if you haven't been on one since the Apple IIs    Most software is portable and apple has started making the upgrades to the new os free (at least with Mavericks), not sure about microsoft.

[nccb]

Left handed rich people.

They are more expensive but I think its better quality.  Hell, I have an old  powermac g4 that I bought in 2003 that I had to recently use in order to use photoshop for my thesis, don't think its saying much but they do last a long time with no worry for viruses (yet).

[LesterPiglet]

I like to upgrade my machines, I'm into gaming.

[Bailgang]

Whether you go with Win 7 or 8 my recommendation is to get a clean copy of it even if you were to buy another comp with it already installed. My personal experience with comps with preinstalled operating systems is that they just plain suck, crammed full of adware/spyware not to mention loaded with programs you'll probably never use and unstable as hell once all the crud is uninstalled or deleted. I bought a brand new HP comp years ago with XP in it and it crashed like crazy until I ditched the pre installed XP and installed a clean copy of XP. From that point on I spend the extra $ to get my own copy of an operating system for my comps and I haven't had any issues since.

Linux is another option but it does take a bit to get used to, I've got both Win7 64 bit as well as Ubuntu but very seldom do I boot into Ubuntu.

[JeffSTL]

Dave, I know you are not looking for a PC v Mac debate here, but if I had a dollar for every hour of my life I've wasted dicking with a PC, I could get a new Mac tomorrow. With all the fixing viruses, waiting on updates or hell just waiting for the damn PC boot. Since getting an iPad three years ago I rarely even #$%* with the PC. I guess everyone is different. Some people enjoy spending hours on end fixing their PC while others just prefer to use a Mac. I'd rather be wrenching or riding an old bike than wasting time in front of a computer.

[kghost]

Not being mean when I say this:

I've seen your computer Dave.

Upgrade.......its time lol

[333]

I've been running 7 for quite a while, and no virus issues ever.  I use M/Ss antivirus. No issues.

If you're running a computer that can't do 7 or better, you need to get a new machine. What this means is you need a dual core processor or better. Vista required this.  Yes, Vista was a POS.  That's why they stopped supporting it years ago, even though XP s older.

[dave500]

Not being mean when I say this:

I've seen your computer Dave.

Upgrade.......its time lol

and whats wrong with my steam powered computer tim?just because i have to shovel in more coal when i press post?yeah ill get a new unit and clean install it.