How do I find out date of Windows XP install

[RichC]

I'm trying to justify picking up a Athlon 64+ SLI system, and I'm trying to remember how long I"ve been running my current rig (AMD 2400+, MSI KT3-Ultra, Geforce 4200) to help justify the $400+ it's going to cost to get the latest and greatest. Which file in my Windows directory are dated to the day of my install?

 

[xcript]

Running systeminfo from a command prompt will give you the original install date.

 

[Challenger]

Originally posted by: xcript
Running systeminfo from a command prompt will give you the original install date.

I did that and it says 1/1/2002 :Q I use to format and reinstall with Windows '98 almost every six months!

 

[foxkm]

The easiest way on any windows install is to look at the creation date of the windows or winnt directory itself.

 

[Nothinman]

and I'm trying to remember how long I"ve been running my current rig (AMD 2400+, MSI KT3-Ultra, Geforce 4200) to help justify the $400+ it's going to cost to get the latest and greatest

Why is that relevant? Either you need the faster hardware or you don't.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

and I'm trying to remember how long I"ve been running my current rig (AMD 2400+, MSI KT3-Ultra, Geforce 4200) to help justify the $400+ it's going to cost to get the latest and greatest

Why is that relevant? Either you need the faster hardware or you don't.

Agreed. That's not really a bad system there; the videocard might be lacking, but that's only if you're a real gamer, and then $400 won't cut it. If you want a super-speed videocard, you'd best get a better CPU, and a new motherboard and some fast RAM to go with it.
Maybe a Radeon 9800 Pro - it's not the "latest and greatest" but it's still pretty darn fast. And you can always sell your current hardware. But again, that's only if you really want that kind of speed.

What monitor are you using? How's your chair? I learned that things like that are worthy of investing good money in. My chair cost me $100, but I love it - fabric, reclining, armrests....it's the thing you usually "interface" with before the computer. And the monitor - you're using that all the time, even when you're not using the fancy videocard, or the full power of the CPU. Monitor, chair, desk, keyboard, mouse, and power supply. They are the things most likely to survive upgrades. My desk is from sometime around 1997. Granted, I have added supports to it, as it was only rated to hold a 17" monitor and a fairly light PC. It now has a 70 pound 21" CRT, and a 40+ pound PC. It started to sag quite a bit - 4 degrees maybe. Not anymore.

 

[RichC]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

and I'm trying to remember how long I"ve been running my current rig (AMD 2400+, MSI KT3-Ultra, Geforce 4200) to help justify the $400+ it's going to cost to get the latest and greatest

Why is that relevant? Either you need the faster hardware or you don't.

You never really "need" faster hardware. It's just nice to have, but it helps to justify cost/performance ratio if you look at it as a capital purchase sometimes. My install date on my current rig is 09/02/02. It was originally a 1600+, but I took advantage of a 2400+ on sale at Fry's for $79 about a year and a half ago. Best processor I've ever bought. The problem we're all facing now is that we're heading into a platform shift with both Intel and AMD going to PCIe, and new CPU sockets. My processor and mobo are still decent, especially 'cause it's overclocked to AMD 3000+ speeds. However, my graphics card is sputtering at 1280x1028 CS:Source. I've overclocked the video card, too, and that makes things just playable enough. I'd go down in resolution, but I made the switch to a flat panel and scaling down the resolution makes the picture look worse than if you did it on a CRT. Anyway, I was thinking about getting a new vid card, and the Geforce 6600GT looks like a great deal. However, both PCIe and AGP models of the board are the same price, but the PCIe version outperforms the AGP version. If I went that route, I'd also have to get a new mobo/CPU/RAM-$200/$120/$100. I'm thinking I'll just get a new vid card, reformat my system, and it'll be good enough for another year.

 

[Nothinman]

You never really "need" faster hardware

Sure you do. A friend of mine does 3D rendering and any hardware upgrade to take minute or hours off of those renders is welcome, sure he could way 8hrs for a render but why when there's hardware that can cut that down?

However, my graphics card is sputtering at 1280x1028 CS:Source

Well when you're talking about games, of course you don't need faster hardware but if you were actually doing something productive that stressed the system it would be a lot easier to justify the hardware upgrade.

I'm thinking I'll just get a new vid card, reformat my system, and it'll be good enough for another year.

If it's your money it shouldn't really matter, but a reformat is totally worthless either way.

 

[RichC]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

You never really "need" faster hardware

Sure you do. A friend of mine does 3D rendering and any hardware upgrade to take minute or hours off of those renders is welcome, sure he could way 8hrs for a render but why when there's hardware that can cut that down?

However, my graphics card is sputtering at 1280x1028 CS:Source

Well when you're talking about games, of course you don't need faster hardware but if you were actually doing something productive that stressed the system it would be a lot easier to justify the hardware upgrade.

I'm thinking I'll just get a new vid card, reformat my system, and it'll be good enough for another year.

If it's your money it shouldn't really matter, but a reformat is totally worthless either way.

Haha, I spoke too soon about the "need" part. The discussion earlier was leaning towards games, and you really don't "need" to play games. Any computer less than 3 years old can handle basic computer tasks (email, internet, basic word processing). I'll have to disagree about the reformat part, though. Reformat's are like computer enema's, esp. for Windows computers. It helps to just clean the crap out once in awhile, and it'll also delete overhead that you don't really need any more. Once you reinstall, chances are you'll just reinstall what you need.

 

[Jeff7]

Reformat's are like computer enemas

What a memorable quote....

 

[Nothinman]

Reformat's are like computer enema's, esp. for Windows computers

Yes and if you treat your computer right you won't need to flush them out, do you get an enema periodically for yourself?