Windows XP vs. Vista Ultimate SP1?

Will someone please weigh out the pros and cons of using Windows XP Pro (SP 2 I think), vs. using Vista Ultimate SP1? My specs are 4400+, 2GB DDR400, and 2x7800GT 256MB (what I hear is that Vista uses video memory too?)

I will soon be looking at an C2D 8400, 8GB DDR2-800, and I will reuse the video cards. Would that change anything?

I am a mild gamer, but I use a lot of small scale apps, will those still be usable on Vista?

Windows XP vs. Vista Ultimate SP1?windows xp home

I use Vista and XP a few times a week (my main OS is Ubuntu), and I don't really like the interface of either of them. Vista has a lot of change for the sake of change and things that are very disorganized. Not that they don't work it's just that they reorganized the Control Panel so I no longer know where things are, especially since they are not always where names would indicate (Welcom Center under System Settings!?). So that's my first gripe: if you are used to XP and it's weirdness, you'd have to now invest in unlearning it, and learning all the nonsensical stuff in Vista.

My second gripe is that the hardware support seems a tad bit less than perfect. I'm having trouble switching sound devices (have to unplug or turn off all but the one I want to use, and restart the program if I switch). Also, CD burning doesn't work here. Ubuntu, on the same machine, has different problem with apparently the same devices, but where Vista fails, it succeeds.

Windows XP has more applications for it than Vista, and Vista's backwards compatibility is less than perfect.

On the other hand, everyone keeps saying Vista is a resource hog, but I just don't see it. It seems to be running just fine on my AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ with 768 MB RAM and nVidia GeForce 6100 nForce 405 (and no, I have no idea what the nVidia entry means). And I have Aero turned on.

It seems to me that the main attraction of Vista is Aero, and I think that's pretty lame, since Mac OS X and Linux surpass it in that regard. there are a few more goodies, like that partition manager that was added, the breadcrumb navigation for file management, and maybe a few more things, but it seems that most of the change is on the surface.

Windows XP vs. Vista Ultimate SP1?microsoft visual studio internet explorer

windows xp no question about it
Vista was a big, big mistake and Microsoft is fully aware of it's dismal failure. Google "windows seven" if you want to see what will replace it just as soon as they can.
Vista is a huge resource hog. It also doesn't even have all the kinks worked out. I would recommend XP. (Actually I think SP3 is coming out soon for XP.)

I'm using Vista Basic and I am encountering all kinds of problems.
windows XP for gaming, linux for everday tasks! you will be much happier this way!
xp
Windows XP. Vista is still in trial and lots of unsupported programs.
Vista of course.

don't belive the people who never tried it.
I have Vista and if i were you i would stick with XP because even with the soon to be reeased Vista service pack one it's not going to help us one bit.

Good luck
thats plenty of power for Vista

but............

Vista has alot of backwards compatibility issues and not alot of older programs will run on Vista so you will have to sacrifice afew things for the eye candy of Vista

since your a mild gamer then i would have to say that most (if not all) of the games you use will not be compatible with Vista and on some occasions some video graphic cards aint compatible with Vista so i would check your games and video cards and see if they will even run on Vista

but i havent gotten my hands on the Vista SP1 update yet so if it will fix all of those problems with backwards compatibility then i would say just go Vista but until then i would just wait it out unitl you see if the SP1 will fix all of the bugs cause XP has a SP3 coming out in a month and XP works with everything unlike Vista

but i would just get Xp just cause as of right now everything runs on it and you can always upgrade to Vista later but Xp will only be on store shelves for only acouple of months longer until Microsoft forces the public to go to Vista by stopping production of Xp..........but thats just my two cents

(fyi i run XP and have Vista on a spare hard drive)
Don't let the others scare you away from Vista, it has improved a lot since it first came out. It's NOT buggy anymore and it's backwards-compatible with 99.9% of XP programs. Plus, XP will soon be unsupported by Microsoft so it's best to move to their new operating system.

The only problems are:

-It uses a little more RAM than XP, but with 2 GB that won't be a problem at all.

-The aero interface does drain your video card a little bit. But you can easily disable Windows Aero by changing the theme to Classic Mode and it will hardly use your graphics card's resources at all.

So for your computer, I'd definitely recommend Vista Ultimate over XP, it will perform much better
The hardware will be fine with Vista, especially the newer hardware. The biggest issues at this point involve backward compatibility with older hardware and software. I've actually had success with more open source apps than with commercial apps under Vista.

Why not decide for yourself - partition your drive and set up a dual boot system. Play with both for a while and see which you prefer. I have been running Vista since its release, and while I hated it at first I found that it grew on me over time.
will for vista 1gig is the minimum but for graphics (since ur a gamer) you have the minimum for vista of 2 but id stay with xp.

Im Running Win XP Pro and deleting files takes forever for the delete confirmation dialog box to com

I do all my own pc repair etc, and i also run allot of graphic/audio video programs so i dont like the down time of reinstalling windows.

I always use shift delete to delete things since i dont like the extra step of emptying the recycle bin. It takes forever just to delete a single file and even longer for a group of files. i have 850 GB hard drive total and about 150gb free what can i do to speed up deleting files, or what is the problem? I havnt reinstalled windows in about 2 years, everything else runs perfectly.. AMD Athlong 2800+ w/ 2gb pc3200 Ram. windows XP Pro SP2

Im Running Win XP Pro and deleting files takes forever for the delete confirmation dialog box to come up, why?www.microsoft.com

First defrag your hard drive. Keep in mind with Windows the more files in a folder the longer it will take to delete files. So if you have 10000 files in a folder it will take about twice as long to delete a file as a folder wilth 5000 files. If possible divide folders with a large number of files into smaller folders. It will also help to divide the 850gb drive into smaller partitions if you haven't already done so. A 850gb C: drive is part of the problem.

Im Running Win XP Pro and deleting files takes forever for the delete confirmation dialog box to come up, why?microsoft windows xp internet explorer

Honestly.

Reinstall windows. That will help. Two years is a long time, especially if you use graphic/audio programs.

First remember to compress/backup stuff. Then reinstall windows.

You don't have to shift delete. Just deleting works fine since the space will be able to be overwritten again.
How long does it take to defrag 850 gb, do you think looking over 850 gb has anything to do with the time it takes, and your "athlong" 2800 is slow at that

Reinstalling windows xp professional?

I upgraded to windows xp professional a while ago and its been acting funny lately. I was wondering if there is a way to reinstall windows xp pro upgrade with out getting any of my programs or files deleted?

Reinstalling windows xp professional?microsoft maps

Maybe it's SpyWare. You should have an anti-spyware solution on your computer. I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search %26amp; Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

These are cleanup tools. Ad-aware cleans files, and SpyBot cleans the registry

Keep your Anti-virus up to date.

Run Disk Cleanup. Then Check Disk. Do this by opening My Computer, then RIGHT CLICK on your hard drive and pick PROPERTIES. Pick the TOOLs section, then click CHECK NOW. Pick both tests, then reboot as directed.

Now is a good time to check your backups, or make MORE.

Then run DEFRAG.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Reinstalling windows xp professional?windows registry internet explorer

Yes...

Just boot from the original install CD, and follow the prompts to install again...

+ Reply NO to the "recover" option...

+ Install is the option you want

+ Do NOT reformat or repartition the drive

+ Finally, reinstall into the same partition and directory as previously...

This accomplishes a "repair" install that OCCASSIONALY fixes some problems...

The BEST way to avoid issues, though, is to make sure you:

+ Always keep up-to-date with security patches (auto-update)

+ Keep your Anti-Virus and Anti-Spy software active and current

See reference below for more tips...
If you have the disc, merely insert it on desktop, and it will reinstall.
hie

its the easiest task one person can perform

dont worry ur comp will be fine

This step-by-step article describes how to install Windows XP.

For additional information about how to install Windows XP Professional, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

286463 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/286463/) Release notes for Windows XP Setup contained in the Pro.txt file

For additional information about how to install Windows XP Home Edition, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

306824 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306824/) Release notes for Windows XP Setup contained in the Home.txt file

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Upgrade to Windows XP

This section describes how to upgrade to Windows XP from Microsoft Windows 98, Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me), and Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional.

Note Before you start the upgrade process, obtain and install the latest BIOS upgrade for your computer from the computer's manufacturer. If you update the BIOS after you upgrade the computer, you may have to reinstall Windows XP to take advantage of features such as Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) support in the BIOS. Update the firmware in all of your hardware devices before you start the upgrade if you can.

Also, you may want to disconnect from the Internet during the installation. Disconnecting from the Internet during the installation helps protect you from malicious users. You may also want to enable the Microsoft Internet Explorer firewall. For more information, see the "Enable or disable Internet Connection Firewall" topic in Windows XP Help. For additional information about how to prepare Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition for an upgrade to Windows XP, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

316639 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316639/) How to prepare Windows 98 or Windows Me to upgrade to Windows XP

To upgrade to Windows XP:1. Start your computer, and then insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.

2. If Windows automatically detects the CD-ROM, click Install Windows to start the Windows XP Setup Wizard.

If Windows does not automatically detect the CD-ROM, click Start, click Run, type the following command, and then click OK:

CD-ROM drive letter:\setup.exe

3. When you are prompted to select an installation type, select Upgrade (the default setting), and then click Next.

4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the upgrade.

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Install Windows XP to a new hard disk

To install Windows XP to a new hard disk, you must start your computer by using one of the following media: ? Microsoft Windows 98/Windows Millennium startup disk

? Windows XP boot disks

? Windows XP CD-ROM

For additional information about how to obtain the Windows XP Setup boot disks, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310994 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/) How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks

Note If you want to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive must be configured to do this. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, see the documentation that is included with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

To install Windows XP to a new hard disk:1. Read the End-User License Agreement, and then press F8.

Note If your Windows XP CD-ROM is an upgrade, you are prompted to insert a CD-ROM of a previous operating system to verify upgrade compliance. Remove the Windows XP CD-ROM, and then insert the CD-ROM from your previous operating system into the CD-ROM drive. You can use the CD-ROM to upgrade from the following versions of Windows:

Windows 98

Windows 98 Second Edition

Windows Millennium Edition

Windows NT 4.0

Windows 2000 Professional

2. When you are prompted for the Windows XP CD-ROM, remove your previous operating system CD-ROM, and then insert your Windows XP CD-ROM.

3. To install Windows XP by starting the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart the computer.

4. When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

5. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.

6. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.

7. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Windows XP Setup.

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Install Windows XP to a new folder

To install Windows XP to a new folder (also known as a parallel installation), you must start your computer by using one of the following media: ? Microsoft Windows 98/Windows Millennium Edition startup disk

? Windows XP boot disks

? Windows XP CD-ROM

For additional information about how to start Setup from MS-DOS or a Windows 98/Windows Millennium Edition startup disk, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307848 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307848/) How to start the Setup program from MS-DOS in Windows XP

For additional information about how to obtain the Windows XP Setup boot disks, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

310994 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994/) How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks

Note If you want to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive must be configured to do this. For information about how to configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, please refer to the documentation that is included with your computer or contact the computer manufacturer.

To install Windows XP to a new folder (to perform a parallel installation):1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, and then restart your computer.

2. When the "Press any key to boot from CD" message appears on the screen, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

3. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to begin Windows XP Setup.

4. Read the End-User License Agreement, and then press F8.

5. Select the partition in which you want to install Windows XP, and then press ENTER.

6. Select the Leave the current file system intact (no changes) option, and then press ENTER to continue.

7. Press ESC to install to a different folder.

If the Setup program detects another operating system folder, it prompts you to type the name for the new folder after the back slash (\), for example, \WINXP. If there are no other operating systems detected, the Setup program automatically names the folder \Windows.

8. Press ENTER to continue.

9. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Windows XP Setup.

For additional information about how to change the folder name on new installations, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

315242 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315242/) How to designate the original folder name for a reinstallation of Windows XP

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Perform a clean install of Windows XP

A clean installation refers to removing all data from your hard disk by repartitioning and reformatting your hard disk and reinstalling the operating system and programs to an empty (clean) hard disk. You should back up all important information before you perform a clean installation of Windows XP.

For additional information about important things to consider before you partition and format you hard disk and how to partition and format your hard disk by using the Windows XP Setup program, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

313348 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348/) How to partition and format a hard disk in Windows XP

After you have backed up all your important information, follow these steps to install Windows XP:1. Start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM. To do this, insert the Windows XP CD-ROM into your CD drive or DVD drive, and then restart your computer.

2. When you see the "Press any key to boot from CD" message, press any key to start the computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM.

3. At the Welcome to Setup screen, press ENTER to start Windows XP Setup.

4. Read the End-User License Agreement, and then press F8.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen to select and format a partition where you want to install Windows XP.

6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Windows XP Setup.

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Perform a multiple boot operation

For additional information about how to multiple boot Windows XP and other versions of Windows and MS-DOS, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

217210 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/217210/) How to multiple boot Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, and MS-DOS

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--------------------------------------...

APPLIES TO

? Microsoft Windows XP Professional

? Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

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Keywords: kbpubtypekc kbdualboot kbhowtomaster kbenv kbsetup KB316941

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This link is exactly what you need
put in the Windows XP Pro CD and reboot when it says press any key to boot from CD press any key if it don't say that get into the bios to have it boot the cdrom first and go from there. once the setup starts the first R option is the recovery console you don't want this one but the next R option which is a repair install select that one you're gonna need the key for the Windows XP Pro CD maybe so have it ready this repair option will leave your files alone but if you installed other software that has a key to unlock you will need to re-enter those as well

Anyone know why Windows XP won't let me log off?

I am logged onto XP Pro everything works ok, but when I try to log off I get the "Log off Windows" box and select log off, the box goes away, but the PC will not log me off. I also tried shutdown, but I get the same response...nothing. The only way to get off is to push the power button and shutdown the power to the PC. Does anyone know how i can resolve this? Windows XP PRO SP2

Anyone know why Windows XP won't let me log off?windows nt

if you are on a dsl turn off your computer manualy and then go to dsl box - disconnect the thick phone cord for about 60 seconds - on my box there are 4 green lights - the third one should go out when unplug the cord - after the 60 secs replug the cord - the green light should come back on - then reboot you computer - not sure this will work but go ahead and give it a try - there is a way also to go back in time on you computer which might do it but i am not sure how -good luck

Anyone know why Windows XP won't let me log off?windows 95 internet explorer

did you even try restart company?

Buying Windows XP from a stranger?

I want to buy Windows Xp pro for my computer since I dont like Vista. I was searching craigslist and saw some people selling windows xp for around 30 bucks. I just wanted to know from another persons point of view. Do you think thats safe? Would you trust it? If you installed it, would they be able to come in to your computer if they had it installed and hack?

Buying Windows XP from a stranger?microsoft flight simulator

If you get it from here, you don't have to worry about that. I have used them and they are safe.

http://sale4all.net/index.php

Buying Windows XP from a stranger?windows 2000 internet explorer

No they would not be able to hack it any more then they could hack my computer.

Sounds like a great deal
It really depends, as if the are providing you with the product key, then no software, virus or spyware can come with that, nor if it is a genuine CD, but if it is a burnt CD, it could have anything on there. I would suggest buying the product key and using a genuine CD, with a hologram on the front.
Anybody with windows is easy to hack, get linux and you don't have to worry.
no I think it is to good to be true if it is true it is probably non-genuine so beware.

Format with Windows xp installed?

HI.

I have windows xp pro installed in my pc.

i want to format and hard drive and install windows xp again.

how to do it.

can i use dos (format c:\ type commands)

won't cd drivers be lost in the process and than how will windows cd run to install!!!

won't ms dos program itself be deleted and .........

plz give me step by step account.

Format with Windows xp installed?microsoft sql server

email me to get a step by step but all you need to do is to make sure the bios is set to boot from cd and go from there the screen prompts will tell you what to do. I can do a dos install but it is harder for the newbie

Format with Windows xp installed?windows themes internet explorer

CD drive drivers are built into the BIOS, so you can format your HDD in Dos, and then go to your Bios, choose it to boot from ur CD drive first, and then insert your windows xp disk.

be advised it has to be the full version, since you're installing clean. an upgrade won't work on an empty drive.
Dear if u don't know the steps, then my suggestion is not to do formating by urself. Ask ur friend or any professional who will do it.

Ok

But i will tell u one software whichis easy and better than the dos format. Its name is BOOT IT NG. Its a small software which needs to be extarcted in a floppy. and then it will work.

But as u don't know steps then plz avoid doing it urself unless u have someone known person with u.
i WOULD BACK UP WHATS IMPORTANT, excuse the caps and with the xp disc put it in ,shut down system /restart when it says booot from cd/disc go with that delete all partitions and go with fresh install NTFS, not fatt and there is a choice of quick format or full format, if ypur pc means anything to u do not go with the quick, of course it takes longer but it will be like new. xp will read most drivers upon install and format, again as I said it will be like new , your printer youneed to unplug and will have to re install drivers but for the most part you will lose nothing, speakers leave them plugged in thru this process, that shuold save your audio, andas far as your graphics card which is prob. factory will be read upon your format and install, if which I doubt you have a special graphics card, you may have to use the disc or go to the also make sure you delete all partitions/ when you do the new install makers website and download the drivers
Hi

You can format from dos, but you need to have a bootable floppy or CD.

Help my Windows XP will stop working in 4 days!!?

HI I recently activated my windows xp pro os but now everytime i boot at logon screen it says you have 7,6,5,4 days to activate my version of windows xp but when i click activate now it says your windows is already activated?? Please help me

Help my Windows XP will stop working in 4 days!!?microsoft downloads

enter the product key

Help my Windows XP will stop working in 4 days!!?microsoft word 2003 internet explorer

call windows up if you have already tried to put in the product key, if you bought it not from a store it is possible tht some one else already is using this. so just be safe and call up to check everything
product key
go to this webpage:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328874

there is an answer to change your VLK (Volume License Key)

if you dont have a genuine VLK, and if that is your problem, google "wpa_registry.rar" and click the first answer, download the .rar file (you are going to need winrar to do this) and then double-click the file called "wpa_registry.reg"; it will aask you if you want to add the information to the registry, and click ok.

if that doesnt do it, google "http://supremophantom.blogspot.com/2008... click the first answer, and click the link. then install the file just downloaded (just click next and next; everything is already setted up)

hope this works for you

me