Customer Reviews

Microsoft Windows XP Professional [Old Version]

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Windows XP is great but there is one thing you need to know: in order to use this product, you will be forced to contact Microsoft (by phone or via internet) in order to get an "activation code" after you have installed the software. If you don't do this, you will no longer be able to use this product after 30 days. In order to get this activation code, you will have to send Microsoft a code made up from the different pieces of hardware on your computer. You have no choice in this matter. They will then give you an this activation or "unlock" code in return. If you change the hardware on your computer beyond a Microsoft-specified amount, Windows XP will suspect that it is now installed on a different machine and will demand that you apply to Microsoft for another activation code before you can continue using it.

If their database shows that you have already "activated" this software before, they will demand a reason why you want another activation code. If they think you are trying to install the software on more than one machine, they can deny you the activation code, thereby rendering the software useless. The aim of this is to make sure that you buy one separate copy of Windows XP for each machine you own.

Be aware that, even after you have bought this software, Microsoft still has the ability to deny you the ability to use what you have paid for.

1. Choose which one you want. I chose XP Pro over home. If you EVER think you may network, you should get pro. Plus it is more robust than home.

2. Install the full version not the upgrade. I read reviews that said this and at first I balked at it but you are going to back up your files anyway, you will be much happier (trust me) if you install the full version. For example:

When I first tried to install a full xp over ME, I kept getting an error message. I had to re-install ME, then install XP pro. That goes to show you that you never know what you have picked up over the months on your computer that may hinder installation. If you try to upgrade, you will be scouring the forums late at night trying to find an answer.

3. Buy OEM. If you are knowledgeable about computers why pay double just for the book, pretty packaging and support? Has support ever really helped you? Me neither. If you follow number 1 and 2, you won't need to worry about support.

4. XP runs fine on average computers. I have a toshiba satellite, PIII, 850 mhz with 128 mb of ram. It runs great. I plan to upgrade memory in just a few days but I was planning to anyway.

5. You will be surprised at how few incompatability issues you will have. Don't listen to all the anti-microsoft crowd or apple pushers. I hate microsoft too, but it's a microsoft world and xp pro is a great product.
I have yet to encounter incompatability issues. I didn't even need all the disks/drivers for my hardware. For example, I use a mouse with my laptop, I didn't need to re-install anything. The same with my printer (hp deskjet). I plugged in the cable and it recognized it. I even have an older version of lotus smartsuite that works on it.

My advice, if you think it might not work, try it anyway, you could be surprised. Or possibly find an update online.

Hope this helps. If you have ME, take my word for it. You NEED to upgrade. A $150 OEM version is well worth your trouble. I experienced crashes every day with ME. None so far with XP.

I'm happy. And I don't usually write reviews.

Here's a note... if you're going ot buy XP, buy the professional version. It's much more stable and supports more software and hardware than the Home version.

I have used XP for two years, and not once have I had to reformat the hard drive. I have dealt with a few errors, but most of them were fixed by putting in the CD. And it did start crashing, but I finally realized it was faulty RAM, not the OS. (Don't blame the OS first, it's probably the hardware.)

Another sidenote--read the hardware requirements. You need at least 128 megs of RAM, and 600 megahertz.

Note: This review was based on pre-release copies of Windows XP Professional Edition.

Microsoft has compiled its latest version of Windows with stunning stability and features. However, it's overpriced for the new features.

Pros: Most stable version ever. In 2 months of use, I experienced only 2 applications freezing, and those two were designed for Windows 95. Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Del no longer brings up the famous Close Program box from Windows 98, etc., rather, the Task Manager. From here, you can shut down any applications that might have frozen, close background processes, monitor your CPU and other performance stats, view network status, and log off or disconnect other users. You can also Shutdown, standby, restart, hibernate, log off, or switch users from this manager. Any programs that have frozen can be closed without going to this manager, simply by clicking the red X that replaces the close program button on window title bars.

A new taskbar- you can now lock the taskbar, so you don't accidently move or resize it. If it's at least 2 lengths high, the date/time expands to the format: Time/Day/Date. Idle system tray icons are automatically hidden, saving desktop clutter. They can be viewed by clicking a small arrow button. The Start menu is revramped- internet and e-mail are first on the list. under that is a list of recently used programs. You can access My computer, my pictures, my music, Network places, Control panel, etc. from the right side. All other installed programs are under More Programs. It also highlights newly installed programs to make them easier to locate.

Networking is EXTREMELY easy. A few simple clicks, and our home network was set up on all computers, even those running Windows 95.

Integration with .NET Passports. Easy access to MSN Messenger and Hotmail.

Windows Media Player 8 and IE 6 make multimedia easier, expecially with DVD integration in WMP8.

More applications, such as Movie Maker, Pinball, Spider Solitaire, etc. included.

Rounded corners on the windows so your mouse pointer won't suffer any more hideous skewings on those sharp corners.

Cons- Although speed might have improved since the release of this beta, installation is slow, and the time remaining estimate is inaccurate. Estimated at 2 hr, took nearly 4.

Uses a lot of system resources... installation took more than 1 gb of space, including the "Restore to previous operating system files".

Older printers, so far, do not have supporting drivers.

System Restore feature requires a lot of disk space.

If you choose to hibernate your computer, you will need an amount of free disk space equal to the amount of installed RAM.

Windows Activation required.

So, if you ask me, I wouldn't purchase Windows XP if your version is stable. Rather, wait until you purchase a new computer. It will come with XP by then.

OK, I've had XP loaded on my machine now for a few days. So Far I really like it. My PC does boot faster, and even though it takes some getting used to I think it is a better OS than the 9x versions. This Operating System is definitely more stable and is also much more easy on the system resources.

If you are considering this software I would recomend it assuming you can get over the hurdles I am about to list.
Here are the things I really don't like about this software:

1. Almost nothing I need is compatible. The Installation would not run unless I removed programs that had known compatibility issues, (ie. All of my antivirus and security software) Now that I have XP loaded I have two options. I can go back to my Old OS and normalize everything. Or I can Shell out my life savings on new software that is "XP Approved" Even Office for XP requires an activation code.

2. This OS is very expensive. Once activated you can still upgrade your computer to some degree without having to reactivate. (by a new copy and activation code) But for this Price? You've got to be kidding me! Software this expensive should give a user unlimited use allowing installation on as many machines as are in his or her household without extra cost. Of Course some households qualify for a multi user discount, but from what I hear it's a pretty skimpy discount.

3. Good Wizards and Bad Wizards. Yes, like a good Tolkein novel there are Good Wizards and Bad Wizards, and MS typically has bad ones. When you run the wizards they will do all the work for you, which is good for some people, But I want to know why some things are done the way they are done. The Windows XP Wizards make assumptions that they should not make. If you really know what you are doing, it won't be too difficult to figure out why your network suddenly doesn't work when you enable the ICF (Internet Connection Firewall) feature.

Basically this is going to be a very big money pit to any one who decides to upgrade. In an understandable effort to prevent/thwart Piracy, the Software company has taken measures to make sure that everyone has to buy their own copy as well as the upgrades or newer versions of the most commonly used programs in those machines.

All in all I am not displeased with the new operating system, But I do not recommend it. It offers flexibility on our desktops but is very inflexible as a continued expenditure. If you buy it you will Pay much more than what the Operating system itself cost.

Good luck in your endeavors!

First, here's my bias: I think the BEST operating systems are transparent. They get out of the way, and when they appear, they do exactly what we tell them to do (within their limitations, naturally). Or, as one Linux distro says on its website: "It is very important that you understand that choices are what makes xxxxxx run. We try not to force you onto anything you don't like. If you feel like we do, please bugreport it." This is diametrically opposed to Microsoft's philosophy. They seek to limit choices, hoping that eventually they will be the ONLY choice. Their products are ridiculously over-priced, and they seldom function as they should.

Windows XP certainly fits this mold. It is the most stable incarnation of Windows I've ever used (going all the way back to Windows 3.1), but it's also the most limiting. For one thing, it's SLOW, even on reasonably fast systems. I'm running Windows 98 on an old 380MHz K6-2 laptop, and it's faster than Windows XP on a 2.8GHz Celeron laptop. While it took lots of tweaking to get Windows 95 and 98 to do what I wanted them to do, it was at least possible. With XP, parts of the system are completely inaccessible, even for simple, routine tasks. For instance, it's impossible to even complete a defrag of your hard drive under XP. The system files are locked in place, and cannot be moved.

XP does offer a lot of functionality in some areas. It actually comes very close to being "plug-and-play". It is stable. Programs DO crash, but they generally don't crash the system. XP will set up partitions on your hard drive with very little effort on your part. And of course there is the real reason people use it: it runs the software that's written for it. It's also bound to be around at least until the Dept. of Justice sanctions on MS expire in 2007. Then they'll be back to their old antics.

In short, if you like to have choices, make your own decisions, and believe you should be in control of your own computer system, Windows XP is not for you. If you like to let others choose for you, blindly trust authority figures, and believe that gigantic corporations always know best, then you'll love it. Personally I think they should call it, "XP for Lemmings".

A major improvement in Windows. System performance improved significantly, compared to WindowsNT4 and Windows2000 Professional. I installed this on my old Pentium II 233MHz machine(128M RAM 20G hard drive) -- even though it is below the recommended minimum configuration. Not only did it work fine but it is now practical (not just possible!) to run separate concurrent user accounts for various family members (who can also stay logged in at the same time that I am using it). This is the feature we use the most.

There are *tons* of new improvements, and you just keep finding them. Some that spring to mind are:
- the optional automatic download of service packs to speed up updates
- much improved wizards for network connectivity, particularly for RAS connections.
- much improved recovery from installation of bad drivers and software (e.g. the flakey, uncertified Best Data WinModem driver!)
- prettier UI
- built in fire-wall (a must for all computer connected to the internet)
- built in defragmenter (this really needs a scheduler though and it does not defrag. very quickly or very well :^( -- probably the licensor is still marketing a full featured version!).
- IE 6 (great protection against snooping cookies, etc.)

It is not perfect but it is darn good. The media player is a little over blown and obtrusive (not as bad as the horrible alternative from Real Player though -- which is very obtrusive, and unreliable).

Be careful when upgrading -- use the website provided by Microsoft to evaluate your PC first and heed well any warnings.

If you have Windows ME, you will want to upgrade (ME being one of the most annoying operating systems ever from Microsoft.) But what about upgrading if you have Windows 2000, which is relatively stable and a very good OS, overall?

Windows XP DOES boot faster. I counted it off, and if you keep your desktop reasonable clear of icons, it boots in about 10 seconds, at least on my 900MHz PC.

I have not yet had to reboot my system due to an inexplicable hang-up (something that happened from time to time with ME.) I also run this on a laptop (Toshiba Satellite) and the power management feature for dimming the screen and managing the battery is welcome, as the Toshiba battery uptime is a bit limited. All in all, I am quite pleased with XP.

Why the Pro version and not the home version, which is the one that usually comes with new PC's right now? I've heard that a lot of new software applications are being developed on and for Professional Version and not the Home Version.

If you think that going from Windows 3x to Windows 95 was the best thing since slice bread, then you must try upgrading to Win XP Pro! .

Biggest Reasons to upgrade:

1. Fast boot up time
2. More stable (virtually no Blue Screens, none that I've experienced)
3. More secure - you can limit what a user can do by setting up proper permission.
4. Remote control access
5. Support for wide range of devices - If it's been manufactured before 2002, there is a 90% chance that the OS will recognize the device.

Downside to upgrading:

Not much, I had trouble with my easy CD creator, which I knew about... !

In conclusion I give Windows *****. I am very happy with it's performance and you will be too.

Tips: After installation, make sure you download all the patches and updates especially the service packs to ensure all the "Known" risk are eliminated.

Also, if you are connected to a dedicated internet connection, make sure you install a virus scanner and a fire wall if you are not connected into a Cable/DSL router with a Network Address Translation (NAT).

Ok- I know that a lot of people say that they have a lot of problems installing Windows XP. First of all- the way that XP Handles Drivers is very different from 95,98,ME, and 2000. Many drivers do not work with XP, so it is important to contact your hadware manufacturer(s) to make sure that it is compatible. Older hardeware (ESPECIALLY LAPTOPS) may not have drivers that are compatible with XP. However, if you are building a new PC... I highly reccomend Windows XP Professional. Home edition is okay for a lot of things. But when you get into home networking and other advanced tasks, XP Pro is the way to go. I have had 2000 on my computer before this... and I always had problems. As soon as I upgraded to XP Pro, all problems went away. I also just built another computer... and XP Professional Works seamlessly with it. I am 100% satisfied with XP Pro.