Should I upgrade MY win98os to winXPnowTHat......

[LeTsUpgradeAndRepairPCs]

hi guys,
i am totaly new around here, prone to make some mistakes I apologize
JUst wanna know, now that Microsoft has lift off the support to win98 is it still safe to use this os considering the following facts:-
a) virus compilers will be aiming at xp and other os
To tell u an instance I visited a site recently and recommended it to a friend of mine. He came to kno that this site has just infected his pc. The virus that infected his pc was compiled for win2000, winMe and win XP . Unfortunately his os was win2000
b) i am a home pc user and have got backups stacked up
c) other s\w might lift off the support to win98 as well
d) there r still some problems with WinXP like for example blue screen
i m confused
i kno its not safe to use this os but for time around i can have WIn 98
kindly help me in deciding
" should i keep win98 or not"

 

[MrChad]

It's still safe to use Windows 98, and that's probably a good bet if you have older hardware.

If your computer is decent however, you should definitely consider upgrading to XP. XP is a far more stable platform than Windows 9x, and should perform well on a relatively new PC. As far as the "safety" of the OS, you should practice safe computing regardless of the operating system you use. Install an antivirus client and keep it up-to-date, and use a firewall if you have a broadband connection.

 

[Fern]

Well, I'm still using 98se on all my systems (at work and home) and intend to do so until I'm forced to upgrade (I'm a tax CPA and when the new tax proggies won't run on 98se, then I'll have to upgrade). Oh, and I don't seem to have the instability problems with 98 that so many talk about. I can you honestly say that if 98 was unstable my employees would fraek, its just too stressful and costly in this business to tolerate instabilities
and the resulting problems.

My father has XP, and I don't find that it is significantly better than 98. XP has some features I like, but not enough to make me move now.

EDIT: Welcome to the forums!

 

[THUGSROOK]

stay on W98

 

[Zelmo3]

I got XP last month and it hasn't been any better for me than 98.

 

[farubino]

If you're worried about safety, you might want to look into a Windows-Linux dual boot. I have a W2K/Redhat9 system back at my dorm. All I use my Windows partition for is gaming and MS Office. There are virtually no viruses for Linux, so it's the safest you can go as far as internet/e-mail/chat software, whatever.

Though I've never gotten a Windows system seriously infected, I got sick of worrying about every single exploit that comes out. It's definitely something to look into.

 

[EeyoreX]

hi guys,
i am totaly new around here, prone to make some mistakes I apologize
JUst wanna know, now that Microsoft has lift off the support to win98 is it still safe to use this os considering the following facts:-

Welcome!

a) virus compilers will be aiming at xp and other os
To tell u an instance I visited a site recently and recommended it to a friend of mine. He came to kno that this site has just infected his pc. The virus that infected his pc was compiled for win2000, winMe and win XP . Unfortunately his os was win2000

You really won't be able to run Windows 98 forever. Especially if you want to take advatage of newer software and hardware. The virus issue is quite easily remedied with a good virus scanner and keeping up to date with OS patches and fixes. Properly updated and configured. Most virusus happen to people who do not properly protect themselves. I have never been hit by a virus, and I attribute that to careful computer use and updated virus scanner and OS.

b) i am a home pc user and have got backups stacked up

This is a slightly touger issue. You could backup all your data files and than move to XP and start creating new backups with your XP system and your data.

c) other s\w might lift off the support to win98 as well

If you mean newer software may no longer support Windows 98 that is possible, but I'd bet 98 is safe for a while yet for most mainstream applications and games.

d) there r still some problems with WinXP like for example blue screen

I have been running Windows XP since the day after it was released. I have had a total of 1 blue screen error. And it was my fault, as I tried using an improper driver that I tried using that crashed Windows. In terms of stability, uptime, memory managment, future compatability and support options, I would say go to XP. Unless you have much older hardware. And I mean very old. In terms of securing your Windows box, update often, both Windows and security software, and generally be careful with attachements etc.

I got XP last month and it hasn't been any better for me than 98.

Did you do a clean install or did you upgrade from 98 to XP? If you did upgrade, that is your root problem. Do a clean install and you will likely notice a big difference in performance and stability.

\Dan

 

[THUGSROOK]

Win98 might be dead but WinME isnt.
and since Win98 and WinME share drivers and software ~ Win98 will live on til WinME is dead. (and maybe even longer)

 

[Zelmo3]

I got XP last month and it hasn't been any better for me than 98.

Did you do a clean install or did you upgrade from 98 to XP? If you did upgrade, that is your root problem. Do a clean install and you will likely notice a big difference in performance and stability.

\Dan[/quote]

It's not that I have any problems with XP. I didn't have any with 98 either. XP just doesn't offer anything compelling over 98 as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Nothinman]

Everyone should move away from Win9X as soon as possible, it's a POS that needs to die.

 

[batmanuel]

As far as your worries about catching internet cooties goes, the real weak spot security wise when web surfing under windows is IE. If I'm going to any questionable web sites that I think could be full of recursive pop ups and scripts to automatically load malware onto my machine, I fire up Mozilla Firebird instead of IE. It's worked pretty well, as a lot of IE's "features" that cause security issues are either turned off by defualt or are not even present in Firebird.

 

[ntrights]

Originally posted by: THUGSROOK
Win98 might be dead but WinME isnt.
and since Win98 and WinME share drivers and software ~ Win98 will live on til WinME is dead. (and maybe even longer)

What about web/video cam devices as well as scanners and printers? I had a Philips Video Cam and a HP scanjet they have separe drivers for win98 and winme as well as XP. For example the win98 drivers dosent work with Winme and so on.

 

[ntrights]

Originally posted by: LeTsUpgradeAndRepairPCs
hi guys,
i am totaly new around here, prone to make some mistakes I apologize
JUst wanna know, now that Microsoft has lift off the support to win98 is it still safe to use this os considering the following facts:-
a) virus compilers will be aiming at xp and other os
To tell u an instance I visited a site recently and recommended it to a friend of mine. He came to kno that this site has just infected his pc. The virus that infected his pc was compiled for win2000, winMe and win XP . Unfortunately his os was win2000
b) i am a home pc user and have got backups stacked up
c) other s\w might lift off the support to win98 as well
d) there r still some problems with WinXP like for example blue screen
i m confused
i kno its not safe to use this os but for time around i can have WIn 98
kindly help me in deciding
" should i keep win98 or not"

Id say it boils down to what kind of user you are.
If you are intrested in developing new skills and expertis then move on to Windows XP. Further more Windows XP supports Hyper Threading, see Duvies sticky in Cpu/overclocking forum the benifits of running a HT enabled system!

 

[Kappo]

Sure, my bicycle will get me there, but I find it more efficent and less taxing on myself to drive my car instead.