xp worth the $$?

[gravytrain]

hey all,

a friend of mine has a burned copy of xp he was going to install on my system, but it's the version before service pack 2 came around.

my question is should i just buy xp or is it fine having a pre-sp2 version? Im not a heavy user so would i get any benefits having sp2? I also heard that microsoft is releasing something that might crash systems without original windows software...true or false?

[i an not a nerd]

Well, if you arn't running a buisness through the computer, I would upgrade to SP2. (There have been some problems with SP2) Also, buy XP, Microsoft won't let illegal versions update.

[PrntRhd]

Both XP-SP1 and XP-SP2 work OK, but with SP2 you are relatively more secure.

[i an not a nerd]

O ya, i forgot to ask, what are your system specs? If you are using a AMD 64, I would reccomend getting windows XP 64-bit version.

[gravytrain]

my specs are
amd 64 3000 939
pci mobo (don't have exact model no. handy)
80 gig wd sata hd
128 x600pro video card

is it worth getting xp 64-version better for a someone using the system basically for word processing, occasional web browsing and gaming?

PrntRhd you said it will make my system a bit more secure, do you mean from virus and worms and less prone to crashing?

[PrntRhd]

is it worth getting xp 64-version better for a someone using the system basically for word processing, occasional web browsing and gaming?
No, it is more for business use at the moment. 32-bit works fine for most users.

you said it will make my system a bit more secure, do you mean from virus and worms and less prone to crashing?
SP2 is more secure from being compromised by some known serious exploits than SP1, but there still are some known flaws that have not been patched on both versions.

a friend of mine has a burned copy of xp he was going to install on my system, but it's the version before service pack 2 came around.
We do not condone illegal software on this forum, I would advise you to not use illegal software, OS or otherwise.

[dsdsds]

I'm planning to stick with Win2k until Longhorn is released. (Next year, right?)

[saphalline]

I'm planning to stick with Win2k until Longhorn is released. (Next year, right?)The way things have been going, who knows! :p

I like XP. IMO it's the best OS that Microsoft ever released. Sure, 2K is also good, but XP auto-recognizes so many more games, peripherals, external storage units, etc. XP also requires tons more power, but I've got that to spare and then some!

Longhorn is going to be a dud. They've taken out WinFS (rumoured to be a service pack at a later date, maybe), they've taken out Aqua (the cool DX9-powered 3D interface), and they've taken out Yukon (easy to put back in with a service pack, but how many SP's does MS expect dial-up users to DL??). And that's just the short list of what's being left out! With all those cut-backs, how is Longhorn any different from XP? I'm not seeing a reason to upgrade. In fact, the only OS upgrades I'm likely to do in the next couple years are XP 64-bit and Linux!

[i an not a nerd]

Wow, sounds like Longhorn is just gonna be a glorified update of XP. I was really looking forward to Aqua...

[pop pop]

Gravytrain,

If you are a student you can get XP Pro SP2 from Newegg for about $85. You might have to provide some info to prove you qualify for the academic rate (school name, location, etc). If you're not a student, you can get XP Pro SP2 (you must have this to "upgrade" to XP 64) for the OEM price of about $140, less on sale. OEM is the FULL version that "must be purchased with hardware" to get the drastically reduced form retail rate ($249-299). What you do is select the OEM purchase, Newegg automatically throws in a 5 dollar cable (that's the hardware) and then gives you an automatic $5 rebate.

$85 or $140 or be a pirate and not be able to patch or upgrade. I think it's a no brainer. :p

[gravytrain]

thanks all.
reackon i'll ease up on the pizza's and buy me a copy of xp :)

[hockey man]

good idea.

[i an not a nerd]

Well, technically you are not buying the software, you are buying a license to use the software....

[saphalline]

Well, technically you are not buying the software, you are buying a license to use the software....Oh boy! :rolleyes: Don't open up another can of worms! :eek: We just closed one! :p

[i an not a nerd]

Lol, i'm very picky about those things, i prefer linux myself...