XP vs. 98

[CubicZirconia]

I am building a new computer right now and am grappling with the decision of whether or not to upgrade to XP. I do a lot of gaming and am always on a local network with other 98 machines. Any reccomendations?

 

[Epyon9283]

If I could only choose between XP and 98 Id go with XP.

 

[Zlash]

XP

 

[AGreived]

Similar problem... thinking of upgrading 98 to either XP or 2k. I'm not interested in XP's *improved* media support, and definately dont care for Microsofts ID keying scheme at all. Of course, I want to know if i will have problems with all my software, drivers, etc. if i install over 98 (instead of a 'clean' install). Any opinions will help, thanks.




BTW - My Machine:

T-Bird 1.2GHz/266
Soyo Dragon M/B
256MB Corsair PC2400 DDR
cheesy SiS PCI graphics card(Geforce3 AGP on the way!)
and the other normal stuff - DVD-Rom, CD/RW, Hollywood MPEG card, MAxtor HD

 

[NzAnE2K]

It depends on what you are going to do with the system. if you are going to play a lot of games, i reccomed win 98 because winxp tends to have problems with some vid cards and drivers. my opinion is winxp because it crashes less.

 

[ojai00]

<< It depends on what you are going to do with the system. if you are going to play a lot of games, i reccomed win 98 because winxp tends to have problems with some vid cards and drivers. my opinion is winxp because it crashes less. >>



Same thing that I would say. However, it depends on your preference. I suggested that my friend upgrade to XP, and he hated it. He would rather stay with Windows 98 because he's so used to it. If you have both discs, then give XP a shot. Then if you don't like it, just format and install 98. Hope this helps.

 

[Epyon9283]

I would actually choose Win2k since its like XP but not nearly as annoying with the .net crap and the ugly ass default theme(what were they thinking?).

 

[bsobel]

XP, the entire 9x line has always been unstable, you'll be very happy with XP.

>I would actually choose Win2k since its like XP but not nearly as annoying with the .net crap and the ugly ass default theme(what were they thinking?).

Gee, some people like it, some don't, big suprise. And, it's ONE check box to turn it off, you act as if your stuck with it.

Bill

 

[Slogun]

I went from 98se to xp pro on my main machine a while back.

It's worked very well for games for me.

But all in all I'd say it is a bit fussy and definitely a bitch to network...

 

[slowbutsure]

In my opinion you should stick to 98 if you have a lot of older hardware and phericals you need to keep working. If you can find xp drivers for all your hardware, then go to xp.

 

[KerryMunro]

Frame Rates are slower under XP, quite a bit slower in some cases, so gaming suffers a bit. (I went from WinME to XP)
Of course, XP crashes less.
You will also need LOTS of new drivers for your hardware.

Don't even think about dual boot.....

 

[freebsddude]

Find out if all your existing games will work under XP. If they do, then grab it in a heartbeat.

Good Luck!

 

[Bglad]

Okay, okay... I think everyone would agree that XP is more stable. There are also quite a few complaints listed that I agree with. However most of those complaints are either minor or can be overcome. The real question is whether all your hardware AND software is compatible.

You need to go through all your hardware and software piece by piece to verify whether it will all work with XP. Then decide if you can afford to upgrade the necessary stuff or live without some of it. The real problem is that the XP upgrade can become quite an expensive upgrade if you run some older hardware or software. If you have a bucketful of software for 98, you may decide you are better off sticking with 9x.

Be warned also that getting some older hardware, that will work, may take significant time to figure out in XP. I spent weeks on boards and newsgroups trying to figure out how to run some old printers and scanners.

 

[bacillus]

<< Don't even think about dual boot..... >>


why ever not??

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Stick with 98, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Nate420]

I went from Win98SE to XP Pro without any problems. I was worried that I would have problems with apps not running in XP, so I just dual booted with 98SE. After running XP Pro for about 2 months, I've found very few apps that don't get along with XP. I have no problems with my dual boot either. Win XP has been surprisingly stable for me, much more so that any 9x version.

The themes in XP are easily modified, or you can simply revert back to the Win98 look if you choose to.

I have hear of some problems with older scanners/printers though(my HP PhotoSmart 1000 works great). I'd just search for XP drivers for all your hardware ahead of time, and then you'll have a good idea of what problems to expect, if any. The XP update site also has a collection of various hardware drivers. I've found that most Win2K drivers work just fine in XP also.

 

[CubicZirconia]

Whats wrong with dual booting...

 

[Athlon4all]

XP. It and 2000 kick 98's a$$. Once you use the stability and reliability of 2000/XP, you'll never turn back. Go XP!!!

 

[gplracer]

I vote XP. My frame rates are great. I play quake 3 at 1600x1200 at 116fps with an athlon xp 1700 (140fsb) and a geforce 3. Of course if you have a 3dfx card your framerates in direct 3d will be bad. As others have stated just make sure all your components work with xp.

 

[Zlash]

<< Stick with 98, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. >>



Except that 98 is pretty broken.

 

[Superself]

XP is great once configured. Give either XP or 2000 a chance...they are both stable creatures. Win 98 over time became slower and slower....XP on the other hand optimizes itself and will eventually run faster.

Remote Desktop for XP is AWESOME!

 

[Mem]

I actually have both 98 & XP rigs and prefer the XP rig for gaming ,the only problem I can see is if you play some very old games that might not run in XP.

I`ve most of my games running fine in XP and it`s much better on stability then 98(my 98 is very stable btw).
I would go with XP and see how it goes if I was in your shoes.

 

[Sunner]

2000 or XP.

Win98 is... crappy beyond words.
Haven't used it since Win2K RC1 now, and I'd rather stop using my computer alltogether than ever go back to 9x.

 

[millsy]

I am very pleases with XP and alot of games work fine.....
Drivers are great aswell and it looks the monkeys....

 

[Randskey]

I will on occasion drift back to my old DOS-based/W95 games (circa 95-96 like the orig. Warcraft and Warcraft II, Apache, Hind, the Crusader series, etc.) - does Win2K or WinXP give you the capability to play these games?