ME? XP? Neither?

[kayofcircles]

Now, I have to start this question with the fact that my feeling is "neither", but beloved feels that we ought to give Microsoft some money (nevermind why) and he is concerned about 98 going the way of the dinosaurs. He's been ordering parts from twco, and is considering ordering an OS..so I told him I would ask you. My understanding is that they never got all the bugs fixed in ME, and I recently looked for a Service Pack and couldn't find one. Is there one? Those who have ME; does it play games like Flight Simulator without too many problems? My husband wants to go into some gaming..and has ordered "faster" stuff with that in mind. My understanding of XP is that you must call MS for an activation code, you can't put it on more than one puter in your home, and if you upgrade too many components you have to call for another activation code. Don't understand how that would work anyway..how does one prove that you've only upgraded your system rather than putting XP on another?

Thanks in advance..me, I am gonna stick with 98 as long as it does what I need it to do. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Ghost_Hacker]

If you want to play games I would stick with 98. I have ME and it's not compatible with some of my older games (we're talking less then 2 years old here) I don't feel ME plays games better than 98 I'm just happy when it plays them. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif If most of the games your interested in are newer, then ME should work fine. All my newer games run fine on ME and none of the Flight sims I've loaded have had any problems with it. ( But then I've only loaded 2 of the possibly 15 flight sims I have http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif )


I don't use XP to play games,so can't offer any suggestions there.

[YODA74]

Kay You ask the hardest questions http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Some times i praise Me and some times I just hate the tempertantrums it throws, some times it can be pretty stable and other times it's as bout as stable as a ferrett on cocain but basically Me is just a service-pck for W/98.Which come next year at this time I think 98 goes the way of 95 (not supported)or at least not by M$.Personally I would go W/2000.AS far as games with Me I think Bassman could answer that question seems he runs Me on a number of machines, I don't play games on this machine of course it's in the shop so much I don't get a chance. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif with XP you can put it on a Lap top or potable without the extra activation (so I've been told)A lot of gaming machines are using Xp like Alienware and ABS
I don't think Xp is as bad as some pretend it's just the activation and non trust that get me.Well thats my two cents worth,have a great day, it's going to be 74 here this week (the calm before the storm) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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PETE'S Computer Information Links (http://www.dreamwater.com/paleopete/computer.htm)

[iisbob]

If you're happy wioth 98, stick with it. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

However, if you'd like to try a more powerful, and game friendly OS, go XP.

I used to be a diehard fan of W2K, now i have to say that XP has won me over. Never have i seen games run so smoothly except as in 98.

Don't worry about the activation issue, it resets itself after 180 days, so you can install it on two or more PC's if you choose, as i understand it.

If you're still hesitant about trying it, then go with W2K pro-just make sure you have all compatible drivers for your hardware. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

and be aware that it's security setup is a whole lot diff than the lackluster support in 95/98/ME. Try a dual boot ( either xp or 2k ) to see how you like it, then you can always go full out with it when you feel comfortable.



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iisbob

CPU= 5mhz
Memory= 16 K
Storage=10.2MB's
Video=Onboard S3 4K
Modem=14.4 baud
Sound=ISA Yamaha 8bit
Mouse=2 button MS
Monitor=ACER 12.5"
OS= { dual boot }DOS 2.1 & WIN 3.1

My ultimate gaming system :)

[kayofcircles]

Yoda: Love the ferret on cocaine comment! Will have to remember that next time I talk to my uncle..who has had neverending problems with ME, but he isn't capable of tweaking or fixing it..so never been sure whether it's all ME's fault.

Thanks to all. Will pass along comments, and check on XP's activation stuff..which is my primary concern. I understand what MS is trying to do, and it's okay..but we do have the same 98 running on both our puters and, okay, I admit it...I am cheap. May have no choice at some point down the line on changing my OS.

[kfh]

Hi All,
I don't know why ME gets such a bad rep. I don't get that many problems with it. The problems I do get are down to my own ignorance.
Most games I have which are few run fine. DS9 the fallen. IJ3 infernal machine. TR 3. HM fakk 2. Max payne.
kfh.

[Pianorak]

<<I am cheap. May have no choice at some point down the line on changing my OS.>>
Kay At the risk of being a bore and repeating myself have a look at This (http://www.elxlinux.com/) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/rolleyes.gif


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The PC Guide ueber alles – with Google a close second.

[kayofcircles]

Like the dophin and water at top of that page..very nice. If one goes to Linux, you can't run programs like my PaintShopPro, right? One would have to find other programs that run with Linux?

[mjc]

Kay, as far as image manipulation software for Linux....there is the Gimp, I have just begun to play around with it, there seems to be enough to it to keep me busy for quite some time....

MS software....

98: pretty good, most of the problems are known and can be dealt with/worked around, pretty good compatibilty with most games, going to loose official support soon

ME: ok, if bought as a package with a new machine, but not really worth shelling out the money for the upgrade version , essentially an update to 98, and has some quirks that just cannot be explained (like it wil run quite stably for months then out of the blue ...like Yoda said...ferret on cocaine)

2k: Very stable, pretty good compatiblity but deep down, a business OS...several service packs, active support stil avialable

XP: new kid on the block, seems to have excellant stablity, reports on compatiblity vary from ok to very good, seems to live up at least to some of the hype...activation seems to be the major problem with it. (or as Rick would surely say, certain combinations of hardware just do not behave very well...)

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[kayofcircles]

Thanks, mjc. I have invested so much time in learning PSP that I am reluctant to start over with a new program. Still have so very much to learn as it is..but that's why I wanted it in the first place.

Was thinking yesterday that even though they may remove official support for 98, there should still be lots of help sites left around the Web for 98.

In any case, I thank you all. Am printing this up for beloved..and if he still wants to buy one, well hey, I can always come here for help. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[BigBlue66]

Hey Kay,

As for your Uncle, if it isn't ME's fault, then maybe it's HE's fault. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

BB 66

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This space reserved for highly intelligent observations and witty remarks.

"From up on the roof top there came such a clamor, I ran to the window and threw up"
-- Tommy Smothers

[sea69]

Kay- I would without question got for winXP.

(as long as you have at least a 500Mhz processor and at least 256Mb's RAM.)

and I suggest to everyone that is hesitant regarding this to dual boot with win9x and XP until you can decide (in my case one day) that XP will fullfill all of your needs.

Pianorak- very interesting link.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

oh- and kay- please be advised that PSP works excellent in winXP.

heh

one final note: XP is the "Service Pack" for winME...


wow.. how did I miss this topic???


http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 01-31-2002).]

[ErnieK]

Kay
XP Professional does not have the Activaiton scenario built in. In other words NO ACTIVATION with XP Professional. Lot more expensive though.

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Ernie

[rond36]

Kay
XP Professional does not have the Activation scenario built in. In other words NO ACTIVATION with XP Professional. Lot more expensive though. I don't know where you got your version of Win XP Pro but mine came complete with activation. I have needed to activate it 6 times and even had to call MS for new activation string because I changed too much hardware. All retail versions of Win XP need activated before use. There are some corporate and OEM versions that don't need activated but if it is retail it needs activation be it home or pro.

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I think Windows XP and Microsoft use more of my bandwidth than I do!
WindowsBBS.com (http://www.WindowsBBS.com/index.php?referrerid=115) Is back online, check it out

[ErnieK]

Rond
I stand corrected http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif

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Ernie

[sea69]

activation is easily hacked.

but we won't go into that.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 02-05-2002).]