Reinstalling Windoze: XP, XP Pro, 2000 Pro?

[yatolik]

When I got my Dell 8250 (512 RDRAM, DVD-ROM), I took the two hard drives out of my P4 1.6 Dell, along with my burner, and stuck them into the new computer (and just let it boot up and readjust, and then just installed the Intel NIC driver, everything else worked fine). However, I can clearly see that boot up takes longer than before (I've tried many fixes--no avail), and there is no noticeable uptick in performance. So I've decided to completely reformat the HD with Windows on it and reinstall fresh.

I'm leaning toward XP Pro, but can't really decide btwn that and 2000 Pro.

I'm pretty much concerned with performance of my beloved racing games, and making sure that JDK runs briskly. And I'd like the RAM not to disappear as it has always had a tendency to do in XP (then I need to go and have some little prog find it again). Which windows makes the most of the Dell system?

Thanks.

 

[uncleX]

Your RAM disappears? You're kidding.

I don't see any reason either of 2000/XP should make better use of your computer. 2000 is sh*t-canned by MS. No sense in using it unless you have some special reason.

 

[KnS]

I work for Dell in GTS my suggestion to you is go into the BIOS turn on the Caps, Num, and Scroll lock so all 3 lights are on. Do a Alt+E and then a Alt+F. (You will hear a beep after each Alt) Save settings and reboot the system will auto configure your drives and will probably fix this. If it doesn't goto support.dell.com and download the newest BIOS Flash. Its a new system and the only BIOS out for that one is A01 which is most likely installed. Other wise you have A00. Try that and let me know how it goes.

 

[yatolik]

Did what KnS suggested, same old, same old. Thanks for the tip though.

 

[TheWart]

I would recommend XP Pro imho just for the personal comnpatability problems it erased.

 

[KnS]

Another thing you can try on your Dell is at the BIOS screen ie (Dell Splash Screen) press Ctrl+Alt+D (not Del just the "D" Key) this is some times hard to get in quick enough but it will run a 90/90 diag on your HDD and tell you if it passes or fails. If it fails call Dell and have them replace it. Also if your doing an os reinstall I suggest doing a debug http://support.dell.com/us/en/kb/document.asp?DN=1011054 that will walk you thru it if you need help email me at kns@roothackers.com and we will set up some way of walking you thru it.

 

[psianime]

Windows XP Pro looks like a better choice. It probably better supports that new hardware you got.

-psianime