Windows XP alternatives

[Marzman]

Always used & liked windows 98SE but recently got another computer with XP sp2 installed and I am not impressed. Rather than moan about how microsoft have have taken away the majourity of user control I was looking at alternative o/s. Linux looks promising as there is an increasing amount of program support but I was wondering if there was a more 'mainstream' alternative that would offer the variation & support of microsofts flagship operating system.

[PrntRhd]

Well, my favorite has always been Windows 2000 Pro, and XP is like 2000 with a prettier face (more like 98SE) and more driver support. Problem is Win 2000 support is basically going away at MS.
Even XP SP1 support is going away in October 2006, so there are very few MS alternatives.

[mjc]

In a word...no.

Your choices for PCs (at the moment--there is always talk of a PC version of the Mac OS, especially now that Macs are using Intel chips) are some flavor of Windows or some flavor of Linux.

That said, you would probably be pretty happy with Windows 2000, except that it is getting harder to find. XP, in its several flavors now, is where MS is at and their next installment (Vista) is due out next year (unles it gets delated--again).

[kirbykirbykirby]

Try Reactos its a Windows 2000 Clone and its free!!!!

Also for linux flavors I would try debian/Suse and Redhat

Debian and SUSE are the best for newcommers

[Marzman]

Thanks guys, reactOS sounds good & might be an option when it's out of the alpha stage. Reviews on linux seem to point to poor program compatibility & having used windows 2000 on other computers I know the driver support is terrible.

[jlreich]

I know there are a lot of people that really love win98, but do give XP a good try. Most or all of the user configurations are still there. They have just been moved and/or renamed, and some improved (like scandisk/CHKDSK, defrag etc. ). Also some new ones have been added as well. Not to mention NTFS support.

It does take some getting used to moving from win98, but easier than moving to an entirely new OS. ;)

But do give Linux a spin if control is what you like.

Just my 2 pennies. :)


EDIT - Oooooh, Reactos looks interesting. :cool: Just downloaded it and will give it a try when I get time.

[Erik]

I think XP is a great OS, the best version of Windows yet. I have a feeling it will be even better than the new Vista as it is looking more and more like MS will be including all kinds of DRM and other useless but system taxing features.

Give it a long try. Get used to it. Explore to see where things have been moved to, and ask for what you are looking for but can't find. It is all there in a very satble OS that has NTFS support. I keep my XP computers on all the time and barely ever reboot. Barely ever have problems either.

As for Linux, well it is good too if you are into that sort of thing. It isn't that software compatability is bad, it is just very different from what most people are used to. In many cases you will need to compile and build each application you want to install. This takes some work at the command line with switches and commands that require careful syntax. To many people this just is to much work, and they write it off as not working at all. Same goes for hardware support, it is a bit more involved than what most WIndows users are used to. If you are interested look into PCLinux or Knoppix. Both are able to run entirely from a CD with a good base install of applications. That should give you a good idea of what Linux is and if it might be right for you.

[david eaton]

If you don't like the way WinXP looks, try going to display properteis, and seeting it to classic view. Almost indistiguishable from Win 98!

[Marzman]

I have changed to classic view & whilst it's good you still can't get away from the sodding alerts when you say put in a CD! I've got knoppix but its not any everyday o/s

[jlreich]

Are you talking about when you put in a CD and it prompts you what to do?

If so download Tweak UI for XP (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx) (about halfway down on the right) and you can turn off autoplay on all or any drives.

There are also many other tweaks in that tool that you may find very interesting. :cool:

You can also r-click on the drive and choose properties, autoplay tab and select what it should do for each type of media.

[classicsoftware]

You can kill the alerts as you go. The CD alert has a check box that should read:

Do you want to see this stupid message the next time you put in a Blank CD?

[Fred_Flintstone]

Just go to "my computer" right click your CD drive.. click properties.
Click on the Autoplay tab.. check "Select an action to perform".

I have mine set at "Take no action"...no alerts at all!.. :D

Edit: too late..just saw above post.. :D

[123456]

XP is a great OS. But 2000 is more stable and easier on hardware, XP is just too bloated. The only big difference between XP and 2000 is the fact tha 2000 doesn't have System Restore.

[mjc]

and more DRM...

[kirbykirbykirby]

Plus xp has all the eyecandy....