My computer is running on borrowed time. Last year I replaced my XP box with this one, which runs Windows 10, and may I just say I hate everything about it? I had to buy a bunch of updated software, i.e., same software I had, but stuff that will work with 10 (note: not all of it, I am still running my old version of InDesign and some other things). In all cases where I have replaced the software, the new stuff is NOT an improvement. This includes Word/Excel, Adobe stuff, and Final Draft. NOT an improvement.
And then of course it won’t even think about loading my version of WordPerfect. Which, admittedly, I need less and less, but when I do need it, it’s been quite a cumbersome process, to say the least.
For one thing my XP box had both USB and the other, older connections for keyboard and mouse. Not important for the mouse but I have a collection of Keytronics keyboards, which I love, and they don’t work on my new “improved” box.
So in an ideal world I would go to some computer genius and say that what I wanted was Windows XP back, with all my stuff that worked so well on XP, and I’ll just bet if I had an unlimited amount of money, I could get what I want.
I don’t have an unlimited amount of money. Unfortunately. So, what can I get? What should I look for?
Hopefully I don’t need the answer too fast, but I need it soonish.
What about your current computer isn’t working after a year? It sounds as though your main issues are not liking Win 10 and some software incompatibility. Unfortunately, XP is retired and no longer supported including security updates. I believe at least one of the recent big malware attacks was helped, in part, by people still running XP who had no defense. Even if you could roll back to XP, I couldn’t recommend it.
You can buy a USB to PS/2 adapter which should allow you to use your old keyboards.
There is this error message I never saw while using Word 2003. “Microsoft Windows has stopped working. Please wait while we diagnose the problem.” (Or something like that.) Never saw it on my XP box/Word 2003. See it occasionally on my Win8 laptop/Windows 2013. See it at least once per session on the Win 10 box.
Other problem: This is my work computer. It is not routinely connected to the internet, 'cause I don’t need the internet and it’s a distraction. Whenever I use the Adobe stuff, I have to connect it, or that shit won’t work, because they have to prove I own it or something. Did not happen on the XP box.
Since I don’t routinely connect to the internet, I’m not worried about viruses. I have a program that will scan USB media if I have to. I don’t care if XP isn’t supported. I used the old box for several years after XP was not supported, and I already had all the updates, or anyway, apparently, all the updates I needed.
Before you ask, a Mac is out of the question.
The thing is, it is slow, it is not good at running multiple windows, which I need, and it is getting really grumpy. It was a reconditioned computer because I was trying not to spend a lot of money…as always.
Also, I have a connector sort of like that one you linked to, but I need the opposite (it would make my USB keyboard plug into the old one, but I need to plug an old keyboard into a newer box).
I guess you could buy an OEM copy of Windows XP off eBay, wipe your drive and install it. I wouldn’t recommend it because you’re back to using a sixteen year old unsupported operating system but, if that’s what you want, then that’s the best way to go about it. If you asked some computer store guru to make you an XP system, that’s what they would do.
My mistake on mixing up the male/female ends but, yeah, adapters exist for old keyboards. You’d have a hard time finding a modern motherboard with PS/2 ports.
Even if you don’t regularly go online and are unlikely to download bad stuff hackers constantly scan the internet for unpatched systems. An oem copy of xp, one running 0 patches, can expect to be broken into and part of a botnet within 30 seconds of connecting to the internet. The fact that you are doing business on your computer makes it even worse.
Pedantic but slightly technically irrelevant correction: modern gaming-oriented keyboards seem to host PS/2 ports routinely, because PS/2 has less latency than USB HID (Human Interface Design). And those ultra-fast mega-twitch gamers want NO LATENCY between their tactical brilliance and the server.
Ex: mobo my son just bought for his new gaming rig. Most recent generation Intel board for 7th gen Intel Core. Not a particularly high-end gaming rig, and not even very much marketed for gaming. But note the back panel: full complement of PS/2 ports.
True enough. Heck, I think mine might even have them. I was thinking more in the office PC space – when we got new computers here at work, they didn’t have PS/2 ports.
In any event, I wouldn’t buy a new PC for the ports when I could get an adapter for under $10. Especially since it’s not for low-latency gaming input but rather office work.
Well, I know on the old system I had patches installed. I would not have a clue how to install these myself, but sure, I’d want them on there. Particularly the one that let me read .docx files. Of course my current setup creates .docx files, but I have to convert them to use with my old version of InDesign.