Thinking about upgrading to XP

[mrtristan]

I may or may not be building a new computer soon, and I've been thinking about upgrading to Windows XP Pro. Seeing as how Microsoft is dropping support for w2k, I might as well get my feet wet. I have a few questions, before I buy XP.

1. What's the differences between the home and pro versions? XP home is a lot cheaper and if the only difference is that Pro has some kind of advanced level networking, I'm going with the Home version. I'm running a dual processor machine right now, which will most likely be my XP guinea pig. I thought I read somewhere that the Home version does not support SMP, but I don't remember.

2. What's this jazz about activation? I like to do a clean install every 3-6 months and I read something about activation being a pain in the ass. I'll stick with 2000, if I'm going to have to call Microsoft everytime I want to do a clean OS install.

3. Assuming I do install XP, how do I turn off that awful eye candy and make it look and feel like Windows 2000?

I'm actually looking to replace my video card and sound card, so I'll most likely order XP at the same time, so I can take advantage of the OEM version.

Thanks.

[yoda313]

Hello,

1 - PRO has more upper level networking features from what I understand

2 - Activation is the new protection against warez. I think you get 3 activations but not sure - anyway XP seems very stable with SP2 and haven't had an issue - besides you have SYSTEM RESTORE with XP that lets you go back to a good setting without reinstalling

3 - Don't know

Kevin

[tekkieman]

Microsoft will allow for 4 activations per year over the internet without needing to call them for activation. This is to allow power users the freedom they need to tweak their boxes.

[Cobra]

Activation isn't anything to worry about. I have done it more than four times in the past year, no bother. I have also just replaced my CPU, motherboard and RAM - activated over the Internet just fine. The only time I had to call them was when I changed my PC completely from my old Dell to my new, homegrown machine. Wasn't a problem - two minutes on the phone to Microsoft and it was sorted.

[yoda313]

Hello,

I had my Emachine presetup by Bestbuy and they did the activation. It says "owner".

So does that count as the FIRST activation??? Also I don't think I got any passwords for it or anything..

I do have the reinstall disc that came with it. Though it was setup with SP2 when I bought it.

I plan on using System Restore first if I run across any problems. Should I ask Best Buy for my password?????

Kevin

[tekkieman]

Activation isn't anything to worry about. I have done it more than four times in the past year, no bother.

The statement from Microsoft is actually "up to four times per year on significantly different hardware", but I didn't really want to confuse the issue.

Yoda - By default, they set up the machines with an administrator user (in home you can only see it in safe mode) with no password.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Yoda - By default, they set up the machines with an administrator user (in home you can only see it in safe mode) with no password

Sweet Thanks. Kinda wondered about that....

Kevin

[Cobra]

Agreed - activation is sometimes a bit confusing, tekkieman. I just think of it like this - I own a legitimate copy of XP, and Microsoft will help me out when I want to activate it. I don't worry about all the terms and conditions - they can do that for me.

[tekkieman]

Agreed - activation is sometimes a bit confusing, tekkieman. I just think of it like this - I own a legitimate copy of XP, and Microsoft will help me out when I want to activate it. I don't worry about all the terms and conditions - they can do that for me.

[adam]

According to Windows' website you are also limited to a total of 10 activations, regardless of how many years have expired. This happened to me since I used to reformat alot. Now when I put in my activation number it rejects it saying I have exhausted all my activations. So I just call the phone number there and it gives me a new number. Takes an additional few minutes is all. And now I use Ghost Image to return to a fresh install anyway so I'll never have to activate again.

You can make XP look exactly like Win2k in about 30 secs. Basically right click on anything that looks different and go to properties and choose "classic style" or something similar. You can also change everything at once using the Themes option. It has a classic option which makes things function pretty much like Win2k.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/howtobuy/choosing2.mspx

There is a list of the differences between Home and Pro. If you have a dual processor system I really think you want to go ahead and get Pro.

[Italic]

Microsoft will allow for 4 activations per year over the internet without needing to call them for activation.

Not always !. In my case, I bought my pc with Xp home already activated. I never installed again the OS until 2 weeks ago (after 11 months) . Everything fine during the process but when I did the activation I had the message : Your Product Key has been activated too many times ! So I called Microsoft and I did it by phone.

[tekkieman]

Microsoft will allow for 4 activations per year over the internet without needing to call them for activation.

Not always !. In my case, I bought my pc with Xp home already activated. I never installed again the OS until 2 weeks ago (after 11 months) . Everything fine during the process but when I did the activation I had the message : Your Product Key has been activated too many times ! So I called Microsoft and I did it by phone.

< ...people who argue for the sake of arguing!>

Of course there will always be exceptions! This is the normal policy. Feel free to take up any exceptions with Microsoft. It's their stated policy, not mine. Per your post, this is what you have done.

If this is what happened to you, I would suggest you take it up with the people you purchased your PC from, as they may indulging in...less than ethical business practices.

[bazooka]

3. Assuming I do install XP, how do I turn off that awful eye candy and make it look and feel like Windows 2000?

Right click the start menu and hit properties.

Select classic start menu

Right click the desktop and hip properties.

Go to the themes tab and select windows classic theme.

Go to www.blackviper.com and read what processes to turn off, then go to the start menu to the run command and type in msconfig.

Goto the processes tab and shut off unneeded processes.

Go into the control panel and select the system icon

Go to the advanced tab and hit the settings button where it states visual effects and select adjust for best performance.

Go into the folder options and select windows classic folders.

While in folder options, select the view tab and check the option to show the control panel in my computer.

Right click the task bar and select properties and select properties.

Select the show quick launch option.

[mrtristan]

Okay, I might just wait it out and go with Home.

I was originally planning on scavenging parts from this computer and putting them in a new Athlon64 based system. After doing some pricing, I might as well just keep this running and build a new box. I'm going to keep this running on Windows 2000 and try out XP when I get around to building my new computer. It's my birthday this month, so I can justify spending some extra money on me.

My main concern with activation is that I would have problems over the phone, but it seems like most of you haven't had any trouble.

Thanks again, guys.

[mrtristan]

I bought XP Home for my office machine and I like it so far. In fact, I like XP enough to try it out at home. I have to go with the Pro version, since my home system is a dualie.

I have one more question. Between the OEM and Retail versions, is there any difference in the amount of activations that you are allowed?

I've been reading conflicting reviews, with some people saying that the OEM version is only good for one install on one computer, ever. Others have been saying that they were able to upgrade systems with no problems.

If any of you are using the OEM version, have you changed/upgraded computers and if so, did you have any problems with activation?

I don't mind buying the retail version of XP Pro, but if I can save some money, I'd rather go with the OEM.

[budz]

if you're gonna go with OEM XP PRO....i bought mine from compuplus.com for $142.90 includes shipping.....although their website says it comes with SP1, the one i received the other week has SP2 included....i haven't had the time to decide which pc to install it on.....hopefully with the long weekend next week i'll have time to install it....just have to figure out which pc it will be installed on....i interchange lots of my dvdrw's and hard drives that are in hard disk enclosures....so i wanna make sure the pc i choose is one that i don't change the hardware all the time....

p.s. all compuplus.com requires you purchase is a static mouse pad to get the OEM version of XP PRO....that's what i did...

[mrtristan]

Damn, that's a good price. I bought the retail version of XP Home for my office computer for $199, at CompUSA. I wanted it NOW, so I payed the money. I'm not in a rush, so I'll order my own copy of XP online.

Did you have to call them to place the order, or did you do it all online? If I order a mouse pad and the OEM version of XP Pro, will the order process without any problems?

[ChrisX]

I may or may not be building a new computer soon, and I've been thinking about upgrading to Windows XP Pro. Seeing as how Microsoft is dropping support for w2k.

You say Microsoft to drop support of W2k soon.

I don't think this is as really necessarily the case, not totally anyway.

This is even though I know that mainstream support for W2k will expire on 31st March 2005.

I also noted the extended support goes further to 30th June 2010.

I reckon we still can get critical updates for that OS and for Internet Explorer 6 after that date as is the case with Windows 98 strictly only on urgent and critical security issues.

This one for Windows 98 expired 30th June 2003.

I also reckon online self help for W2k would still be available for many years to come anyway as the extended support goes on a number of years.

Check out on MS Product Lifestyle dates and MS Life Supported Service Packs.

I just noticed that mainstream support for WinXP Pro will expire on 31st December 2006 and the extended support to 31st December 2011.

Sure does looks as though support for WinXP Pro will expire soon too.

Anyway, I think Microsoft might extend support for W2k and WinXP?

I wouldn’t worry too much on dumping Win2000 for WinXP Pro just yet.

I might just as well wait for the next OS after WinXP?

ChrisX

[ChrisX]

Hello,

1 - PRO has more upper level networking features from what I understand

2 - Activation is the new protection against warez. I think you get 3 activations but not sure - anyway XP seems very stable with SP2 and haven't had an issue - besides you have SYSTEM RESTORE with XP that lets you go back to a good setting without reinstalling

3 - Don't know

Kevin

1) I noticed that WinXP Pro got much better networking features and this includes remote access and wireless access with a laptop.

2) I don't have to worry on activation as this is with the PC bought.

Another thing, WinXP SP2 is much better and more stable now having less errors and bugs than before. I no longer get any serious issues.

I recomend download on complete file for immediate installation after upgrading to WinXP.

3) I made WinXP Pro just like W2k and the settings can be found by right clicking on Desktop for Display Properties and this is also found in Start > Settings> Taskbar and Start Menu for Start Menu and dot in Classic Start menu.

ChrisX

[Skith]

If you have Win2K, you could get the XP Pro upgrade CD. Staples often has it on sale for $20-30 less than marked price. You will just be prompted to insert your Win2K CD at installation (in the case of a fresh install).

[ViRaL1]

I put off upgrading for a while myself. I'd been using 2K on my main PC til less than a month ago. It's as stable if not moreso than 2K and there are some apps / utilities here and there that don't support 2K very well. I went with Media Center Edition 2005 myself, but I've also had Home on my laptop for the past 2 years. I've also worked with Pro a little. Most of the advantages of Pro are network related, such as the connection limit, being able to join a domain and being able to connect to your system using remote desktop. Also there's (better?) support for SMP.

[bazooka]

I may or may not be building a new computer soon, and I've been thinking about upgrading to Windows XP Pro. Seeing as how Microsoft is dropping support for w2k.

You say Microsoft to drop support of W2k soon.

I don't think this is as really necessarily the case, not totally anyway.

This is even though I know that mainstream support for W2k will expire on 31st March 2005.

I also noted the extended support goes further to 30th June 2010.

I reckon we still can get critical updates for that OS and for Internet Explorer 6 after that date as is the case with Windows 98 strictly only on urgent and critical security issues.

This one for Windows 98 expired 30th June 2003.

I also reckon online self help for W2k would still be available for many years to come anyway as the extended support goes on a number of years.

Check out on MS Product Lifestyle dates and MS Life Supported Service Packs.

I just noticed that mainstream support for WinXP Pro will expire on 31st December 2006 and the extended support to 31st December 2011.

Sure does looks as though support for WinXP Pro will expire soon too.

Anyway, I think Microsoft might extend support for W2k and WinXP?

I wouldn’t worry too much on dumping Win2000 for WinXP Pro just yet.

I might just as well wait for the next OS after WinXP?

ChrisX

You did not read my thread last year about service packs. There will not be a service pack 5 for 2000. Instead, there will be an update rollup consisting of previously released updates. That would indicate a need to get rid of 2000.

[stiltman]

If I were you, I would just wait for longhorn. IMO, there's no reason to go from win2k to XP.

I've been on win2k ever since beta 2 and it is the most stable OS I've ever used. IMO, there is not reason to go to XP. I have seen a few cases where one of my clients had to upgrade so they could install the latest updates for a software package.

[Josef K]

Also there's (better?) support for SMP.

NT has always supported more than one CPU. WinXP = NT with a flashier GUI.

On the subject of the differences between Home and Pro:

• SMP support has already been covered.
  
  Domain-based network support - Home systems cannot log onto a domain. Big problem in a company network, hence the name 'Home'.
  
  Admin tools. A lot more configurable on Pro than on Home.
  
  File encryption. You can on Pro - not on Home.
  
  Remote desktop. Like anyone has ever used that?!?! (Come in, come in Mr. I. Haqu...)
  
  You can't upgrade from NT or 2000 to WinXP Home. You can from 98 or ME though (huh?). Pro doesn't have this 'limitation'.

[ChrisX]

You did not read my thread last year about service packs. There will not be a service pack 5 for 2000. Instead, there will be an update rollup consisting of previously released updates. That would indicate a need to get rid of 2000.

I am aware that there won't be SP5 for W2k and I don't think there is a need for me to rid the OS as yet.

There will still be urgent critical updates from the expiry date.

WinXP will be out of date soon after anyway.

There are some here that isn't compatible with WinXP and on some of them the drivers won't work either.

The printing won't work is an example and this must be on a W2k server to get the network printing done for a user on a WinXP SP2 laptop.

I'll wait for a new huge PC on a new OS by 2007 with a new scanner/printer.

There isn't a need to upgrade to WinXP on old PCs here and they are running well for now.

I am aware of security risks of using W2k as I noticed yesterday three hotfixes done compared with only one hotfix on WinXP SP2.

ChrisX

[ChrisX]

If I were you, I would just wait for longhorn. IMO, there's no reason to go from win2k to XP.

Me too and I don't think there is a need to upgrade when Longhorn is just around the corner.

ChrisX

[ChrisX]

Most of the advantages of Pro are network related, such as the connection limit, being able to join a domain and being able to connect to your system using remote desktop. Also there's (better?) support for SMP.

I say that too as WinXP Pro as so much better on network and remote access.

I don't have any issues on wireless to the laptop either.

ChrisX