Should I bother with XP

[Sh4rpy]

The only reason i am considering XP is that i have all my new pc bits comming in the next few days and a fresh o/s install will be required. I use my PC 80% games and i have had win2k running nicely for about 8 months so should i stick with win2k pro or move to XP?

 

[thenewnoise]

a lot of us are having problems with CS and XP so if you play a lot of CS you might not want to, otherwise i havnt had any problems with any other games

 

[Ryan]

Xp is awesome

 

[btvillarin]

What's the difference between Windows 2000 and Windows XP?
After reading this, and you still wanna jump into Windows XP, then I don't think you'd have a problem - provided you're using quality hardware and software. If you have a copy of Windows XP, and you have the time, I'd try it out. Otherwise, I'd think that if Windows 2000 is working just fine, then stick with it.

Need help knowing whether a software title is compatible with Windows XP? This is a good site to bookmark.

If you decide to "enter the XP", then read this:
"One thing to consider folks about the activation of XP. You have a reasonable amount of time after you install XP before you have to activate it, so it's a good idea to wait until you get all the bugs worked out and then run the activation program. So, if you have to reformat, install, oops, reformat, install...etc.

You can do this until the cows come home for about a month before you need to activate. Then if something else goes wrong, you will have many more opportunities to reactivate before having to do it over the phone. Something to think about." - insight from an Anandtech forum member

I hope this helps ya out...

 

[HexVector]

Thats not entirely true, as long as the hardware remains the same you can reactivate as many times as you want online.

 

[btvillarin]

Sorry, I was assuming that level of reasoning that nothing would change. (Unless copying that wpa.dbl file works...)

 

[MrPhelps]

My rig is brand new ,I built it and went right to xp pro. No problems yet (installed 12-10-01). Good luck

 

[Mem]

<< a lot of us are having problems with CS and XP so if you play a lot of CS you might not want to, otherwise i havnt had any problems with any other games >>



Two quick ways to fix this if you`ve CS with XP problems,one is to run in D3D mode,the other is to try running in 98 compatiability mode,the only problem people have had was on exit of CS it would lockup,the above solution fixed it for 99% of people including myself.


I`m happy with my XP Pro OS,and yes I play CS,UT,TFC,DMC,DoD,Q3A etc with it.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

i want me a new iMac

 

[FOBSIDE]

<< i want me a new iMac >>



me too. but to answer the question, if you have win2k pro running fine, leave it. ive installed machines with XP and i absolutely hate it. im not talking stability or support of hardware/software. i hate the OS itself. its so hideous when it comes to just browsing files. everything is this bloated shiny color and it slides around. i know you can turn it off, but then you have win2k pretty much.

 

[btvillarin]

One reason why I'd go for WinXP is be vast improvement of driver support. I just bought this Aureal Vortex 2 SQ2500 soundcard for $14USD, and it works great! Since the SB Live cards are bandwidth hogs, and I have a VIA-based motherboard (Asus A7V133), this should solve any problems of crackling, popping, or data-corruption. But, since the company was bankrupt, they never got to enhance their Win98/2K drivers. Luckily, Windows XP supported this sound card, and I didn't have to search for extra drivers for it. I know it's a much more bloated install than Win2K, and that it's like Win2K, but the usability and enhanced help/support makes it a bit better to use. Granted, Win2K has basically most of it's kinks worked out, and WinXP might be buggy for some, but everything starts somewhere, right? *rhetorical question* Right...

 

[SaigonK]

I like XP, its got some nice features, but for me 2K is a favorite.
I noticed that XP seems to want more memory, even with 512meg it seemed to use up alot, if you have multiple users and want easy switching then XP is a winner for sure!

 

[Sh4rpy]

Perhaps if i list the hardware i will be getting and what i play this might narrow down the answers.
AMD XP 2000
Abit KR7A Raid
512 Ram
Asus TI500 Pure
SB Audigy Platinum
80GIG dma 133
Lite-On 163 DVD and 24x Writer

The game i play the most is Unreal Tournament as I am a clan leader so i play this everyday....other games rarely get a look in
If anyone knows of any issues with the above equipment plz let me know any work arounds...atm i am thinking i might go with XP as most replies seem to favour it.

 

[btvillarin]

Dang! Are you rich!?! :Q That sounds like the making of an awesome computer. I would comment, but the only things I'm somewhat knowledgeable about are the Lite-On DVD-ROM and CD-writer. Those should be just fine.

 

[baisezmoi]

<< a lot of us are having problems with CS and XP >>



bah, who cares about cs, its plagued with cheaters anyway. 8)

 

[damngood]

I was using W2k, but when I put together a new system, I went straight to XP just to try it out. I have to say I like it a lot more. It may sound lame, but I like the change of my desktop. The new GUI is a welcome change. And I haven't had any problems with XP. I'm not familiar with what the problem with Counter-Strike is, but I've never had any problems. But that doesn't matter to you because you only play UT

Just install XP. If you don't like it, then go back to W2k. This way you'll know for yourself.

 

[baisezmoi]

sharpy,

For less money, you could go with a TI200 and overclock that sucka, and get almost TI500 performace. also, you'r better off with an audigy oem, unless you want all the extra features. getting an oem will also save you some cash.

 

[Sh4rpy]

Well its christmas so why should all my kids have the toys
I am getting the audigy platinum because i want the dock with the optical out so i can connect my mini-disc.
I got a good deal on the TI500 i got the asus for £250 instead of £298 so i couldnt pass it up.
Installing XP to see if i like it isnt an option as i would have to buy the o/s first and its a fair amount of money to spend to find it sucks
If you guys say its cool then i'll go with it