Windows XP vs 2000...any comments?

[Douglas Mackay]

I'm in need of upgrading my computor. Does anyone have experience with both Windows XP AND Windows 2000? If so, do you have a preference? 8O

Doug

 

[KD247]

For a stand-alone system, I'd go with XP.

XP has 2000's stable NT kernel, but is more compatible with Windows 95 and 98 programs. It also has more drivers for common home-office devices (scanners, printers, etc). The multimedia stuff included with XP is nice to have and you can switch users without closing all your programs and re-booting. Also, Windows XP boots and restores very quickly.

But... Windows XP has to be "activated", meaning that you can't install the same copy on all of your computers.

XP Home Version works for most people, but you'll need the Professional Version if you require some specific network settings. Most complaints with XP seem to involve older hardware, so tread carefully if you're sticking with your older computer. Good luck!

 

[Sooner Mike]

I just built a new computer and installed Windows XP. I LOVE IT!! This comes from someone who has always used some sort of "Windoze". If you have a newer computer (PIII or newer), Windows XP should work for you. I wish that I would have gone to XP in October '01 when it first came out

I have been told that Windows 2000 will not run some of my applications, don't know for sure though. I had a few quirks with Acrobat and WinTOTAL when I first installed, but worked them out and no problems since. I have had my new XP machine running for about 2 months now, and not 1 crash!!

 

[rtubbs]

I purchased a new computer at the beginning of the year and, at the recommendation of my tech person, installed 2000 professional. I now wish I had gone with XP. I have to reboot 2 or 3 times every day because my appraisal software (SFREP) will hang up, mostly in the photo module.

Glad you brought up the subject. Maybe all the comments will help me in deciding to upgrade to XP or not.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I had ME 2000 on my laptop. Awful, locked up frequently. Wiped drive clean and installed XP. Locks up about once a month, ME about every 45 minutes. Very stable by comparison, though I still want to try Red Hat and Linux.

 

[Tim Hicks (Texas)]

Since I bought a new computer with XP I have not seen a blue screen yet. I works great and I use a lot of add-on equipment. USB printer, USB sandisk, USB Fax/printer, DSL modem, CD writer, DVD. It loaded them all without installation disks. Microsoft fixed their wheel.

 

[BigBlueGA]

I love XP.. makes simple networking and new hardware VERY easy.. only thing I don't like about it is that they tried to oversimplify the interface.. They give the user too much assistance in advanced tasks and as a result it's harder for the more experienced user to get to the more advanced settings and configurations to change them.

Terrell - If you try a Linux distribution, try Mandrake (www.mandrake.com). It's downloadable from their website and apparently is the easiest to setup and work with. It includes Gnome and KDE too.. A word of warning though.. if you are going to install it with XP through dual booting, be sure to make the partition it requires through Windows and format it to a FAT partition first.. I just had a time reformatting my computer at the house after a botched Linux installation..

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

My tech charges $50 to install a program. I found that if my time is worth $5 an hour, I am miles ahead to let him do it. Only simple off the shelf programs will I evem try. My MLS software was a real nightmare.

 

[Jeff Horton]

Interesting comments on W2000. I bought a lap top over a year ago and it came with 2000. I love it. I recently upgraded my desktop and I put 2000 on it. It am extremely well pleased with it. Never had the hangups the others mention. I reboot maybe once a week? Used to reboot 2-3 times a day with 98. Any OS can give you a problem but I love it.

 

[wyecoyote]

I bought a new computer came with XP and is great. My old machine was utilizing 98 and would lock up frequently. XP has (knock on wood) not locked up once. And other than having to make sure that all printers scanners card readers palm pilots and etc.. have the latest XP drivers it has been great. My cousin had win 2000 on his computer and had nothing but problems with it that is why I never tried Win 2000. He went to XP last month and has not had any problems either.

Ryan