To XP or Vista?

[FactorD]

hey, before I go on, let me tell you about my situation: my OS (windows server 2003) is not a legit copy and it's starting to worry me. Now that I finally have this new PC (which, yes I bought from ebay.. ) set up, having programs which aren't compatible with winserver and crapping myself every time there's a windows update, is starting to worry me. I've even got those "you have x days to activate windows" messages, but now they've magically dissapeared or something... I've since turned off the update feature.

My dillema is; I've been thinking that I could wait it out till January or whenever Vista comes out and just get that, I already have the beta...

So my options/ questions are:

1. Should I keep using this unpredicatable, unreliable OS and wait for Vista? (heh.. from the beta, vista also seems unpredicatable and unreliable!)
2. Should I take the plunge and just buy XP, and forget about Vista for at least 2 years after it's out?

Also...

What are your thoughts on Vista in general?
Isn't XP stable, well supported and pretty-looking enough??
What should matter more in an OS; performance or a super pretty interface???

I'm basically damage controlling for XP now, I really wanted Vista and if XP was cheap I'd have no problems buying Vista like a year from now when it's out, but it's not.

So.. does anyone know where I can buy XP Home for cheap? Is it possible to import an american copy from the UK? In england, XP home is still crazy expensive. Also, I want a new copy of XP, that I can install to a partition on the hard drive, not an upgrader from an old OS, (I don't think they make upgrades for winserver 2003 anyway...).

Thanks.

 

[Kappo]

a) saying you have a non-legit copy of an OS is not going to get you any help

b) BUY XP. If you have to mow lawns, fine, just buy it and stop being a cheapa$$

c) What you prefer is your deal, not everyone else's

d) your OS is unpredictable because YOU DIDNT PAY FOR IT.

e) read the rules before posting again

 

[keeleysam]

Just spend the $65 or whatever it is for a copy of XP.

P.S. I did not read your post.

 

[Canterwood]

A quick look and OEM XP Home can be had for as little as £56.98 in UK.

Comes with a free mouse too.

 

[FactorD]

hey Kappo I bought my PC from ebay, so it came pre installed with a illegit copy of windows server.

thanks Canterwood, but is that OEM an upgrade like I specifically stated I didn't want???

 

[kamper]

Originally posted by: Kappo
a) saying you have a non-legit copy of an OS is not going to get you any help

Of course it is. The whole point is that he's trying to get legit.

 

[SoundTheSurrender]

install linux for the time being

 

[keeleysam]

Originally posted by: FactorD
hey Kappo I bought my PC from ebay, so it came pre installed with a illegit copy of windows server.

thanks Canterwood, but is that OEM an upgrade like I specifically stated I didn't want???

Nope, OEM is specifically what you do want. An OEM copy will only do a clean install.

 

[Brazen]

Are you sure it didn't come with a Windows license? If you really want to be cheap, why not just use the Vista beta until it's released? OR, I would also be one to suggest trying out linux in the mean time (you might even decide you like it enough to keep it. I would suggest Ubuntu.

 

[Sentinel]

Just install Linux or the Vista beta, then upgrade to full version down the road.