upgrading hardware in winxp

[segask]

I am still using win98se. The main reason I have not switched to winxp is all that stuff about winxp activation. I remember back when xp was released, reading about the activation feature. That you have to call Microsoft to have them activate your copy of winxp. And whenever you upgrade your computer (a new vid card, a new mobo, a new cpu, etc.) you have to call Microsoft again and explain that you aren't trying to install on a different pc.


How much of a hassle is it to upgrade your pc with a videocard, or mobo, or cpu? How long does the call take? 5 min.? 10? 20? 1 hour?

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well, if you are going to upgrade your OS, I would recommend Win2000 and not XP, but that is just my opinion (XP has been proven to use more system resources, and has much more overhead of CPU usage, memory, etc., thus causing the system to perform slower then one running Win2000), but that is just my feeling.

I also don't like the fact that I am required to tell Microsoft the hardware configuration as well as have to have my information logged into another database, as well as pretty much need to make a MS passport account.... in other words, I like to try and keep my privacy with reguards to big business. They don't need to know what hardware I have in my computer, as long as someone has writen drivers for the hardware telling the OS how to use it, there is no need for the creators of the OS to keep database of the hardware in my computer.

Now with my ranting done.....
No, its not a big deal to get it activated. Especially since it can be done electronically through the internet as well as the phone. It also is not required if only one of two things have been changed/added to the system configuration. Its when you make 3 or more changes I believe that you need to reactivate the OS.

 

[Toxic]

Just throwing my 2 cents in....

In my opinion, WinXP is the best OS MS has released to date. Yes, you have to activate, but that isn't a big deal when you understand what exactly MS is getting off of your machine. For me, XP has been more stable than Win2k, it's more compatible with everything (hardware, software - you name it) and overall, just a better OS.

For what it's worth, I think Win2k is faster too. Then again, I use windows primarily to play games and run a few apps. I prefer OS's such as linux, and have been running one version or the other for years. My all time, never made it to prime time OS status, favorite would be BeOS. Really well thought out, and working fairly well for most things. NeXTstep was the ultimate in OS's. Ok, now I'm teary eyed and rambling....