Do I need XP?

[Jeff7181]

Ok, my first post here...
I'm thinking about Upgrading to Windows XP from Windows 2000 (with SP3). I've debated it for a long time. I've sorta come to the conclusion that I want to upgrade... but I'm wondering, do I need to? I'm getting what seem like random errors that don't create an error log, a window just comes up that says "explorer.exe has generated errors and will be closed." I know there's no way to tell for sure without trying, but I'm wondering if XP will have the same problem.
I'll just get to the point... I consider myself a power user. I play games, I download tons of files, I video conference, I play DVDs, and I LOVE customizing my computer. I built it myself, and I'm always looking for new BIOS tweaks, or Windows tweaks to get just a little bit faster. Would XP be a smart upgrade for me, if so, which version? Home or Professional?
I've been in the chat rooms, I see that it's possible to get an illegal copy of XP Pro for free... I even saw yesterday that there's already key generators for SP1. But I don't want to do that, I want to go the legal route, even if it means prying my wallet open with a crow bar.

Thanks in advance for your input,
Jeff

 

[tigerwannabe]

XP is better for gaming that 2000, from what i've experienced. that error you describe is supposed to be one that 2000 SP3 fixes, but if it's still happening after you installed SP3, then going to XP may not help. my opinion is if you don't mind spending the $, then go to XP professional.

my 2 cents worth 🙂

 

[Lint21]

Do you need it? Of course not. But I think that you would appreciate it, based on your post. I loved XP from the minute I installed it (ok, maybe form the minute I disabled all the Playskool-style visuals and automatic resource hogging). I'd never go back to an older Windows now... XP is more stable and compatable than any of them (IMHO).

 

[Jeff7181]

Do Windows XP and AMD XP processors really work together as well as AMD likes to advertise? I mean, are there actually things in the OS and the CPU that were designed to work together? Or do XP CPU's run Windows XP well simply because they're both designed better than previous CPU's and OS's.
Also... what kind of performance gains can I expect to get by switch from 2k to XP? I have a GeForce 4 Ti4200 128 mb video card that's overclocked beyhond the speed of a Ti4400... but I'm not really impressed with the frame rates I get in some games. I have the newest 30.82 Detonator drivers installed, and they DID boost my frame rates quite a bit, but not to what I would like to see from a $180 video card, especially since I replaced a 16 mb Voodoo3 2000 card with it.

 

[SocrPlyr]

there is nothing extra built into winXP to work w/ the athlon XP processor anymore than there is intel stuff built in and stuff built into win2k... it is all marketing...

Josh

 

[SemperFi]

For me 2000 was more stable. I like certain features in xp that I am not willing to give up to go back. I also upgraded my motherboard and cpu before I installed xp so my problem could be hardware inflicted.

Anyhow if you have a network I would highly recomend xp pro. I bought home for my second computer that the kids use. Home only has accounts administrator and limited user. I have the kids accounts setup for limited so they don't mess up any critical settings. Apparently a limited user cannot use a shared printer on the network.

I am sick of this xp home I am going to buy a copy of pro this weekend at the computer show if I can find a good deal.

Semper Fi

 

[Jeff7181]

I just may stick with Windows 2000 now. I found a place on eBay where I can get Windows XP Pro for $90 after shipping directly from Microsoft. But with $90 being the cheapest, I don't think I can justify the expense. $90 would be better spent on a new CPU, which I think it's safe to say would increase the performance on my computer more than a new OS. If you disagree with me, please explain. I'm just thinking... maybe I don't really need it... maybe my $90 would be better spent on something else.