Monster sticks his toe into a brave new world...Windows XP

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

(Just like Microsoft, I’ll copy the Mac guy ;))

I saw Ahunter’s thread about MaxOS X, so I decided to start one about Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows eXPerience.

This is the Beta 2 version of Windows XP Professional. I must say, I am quite impressed. It’s very stable (for a beta, I’ve had a few errors and crashes now and again), and is VERY compatible with older software. I’ve been installing programs right and left, and still no sign of system degradation.

Some comments on the beta how it is:

Installing from Windows 98 didn’t work right, but as soon as I booted from the Windows XP CD to install it, things went smoothly. I just had to configure a few simple options, then it ran by itself from there.

It installed all my hardware automatically with quite recent drivers (It even had new Detonator drivers for my GeForce 2). There were problems with my Soundblaster Live! at first, but all I had to do was install Liveware 3.0 for Win2k and everything worked fine from there.

After installing XP, I had quite a pleasant surprise: Windows 98 booted about twice as fast as it did before. XP apparently does this with NT and 2k as well. We beta testers are wondering if it replaced cludgy boot codes in the older OSes with newer ones.

I have yet to connect my computer to our cable line. I have to run my CAT 5 cable from the cable router downstairs to my computer upstairs, so I have to find the most efficient way to do this.

One of the biggest problems I’ve encountered is switching users. It works fine for a while, but if you run certain applications, the user switch starts to get all funky.

What I really like about it is the total control you have over the desktop. Finally, you get to pick what shortcuts and icons are on your desktop, not Microsoft.

Microsoft, I give you two thumbs up for a great product so far!

More to come as I tinker some more. If you want to know if you can do something specific or what certain procedures are, let me know and I’ll try and find out.

2

Question, as I am familiar with neither… what is the difference between XP and the touted Whistler? Or are they one in the same?

3

They are the same OS. Whistler was the codename, XP is the marketing name.

Although, I kinda like how the beta has it…Windows: Codename Whistler. :wink:

4

Congratulations, Monster!
Is XP an elaboration on the kernel and architecture once known as NT? Or it it another iteration on 95/98/ME? (I’m assuming the former).

I know what you mean about the joys of being able to set up things the way YOU want them instead of being stuck with a bunch of defaults.

5

Methinks we should start reporting completely random programming glitches to Microsoft and seeing if we can skew how the final program is released…

“Hey, Microsoft, whenever I click on My Computer, then the Recycle Bin, My Computer again three more times, and then press CTRL-ALT-Enter, it displays pictures of Robert E. Lee having sex with Pamela Anderson while we hear Lucifer shout ‘My scrotum is hairy and smells like teen spirit!’”

Imagine how the final release of XP will turn out…

6

XP is built on the basic NT/2000 kernel, with a lot of enhancements to make it more appealing and compatible for consumers. Windows XP is geared to the consumer market, while XP Professional has far more technical functionality (It’s basically Win2k, but I’ve noticed it runs faster and more efficiently).

I added 512 MB of RAM to my system today, and XP loads lightning quick. I didn’t like how I had all my partitions set up, so I’m formatting everything and resizing them all. Then I’ll dual boot with 98 and XP (Or maybe triple boot with Win2k as well for the hell of it).

So far, I’m thoroughly enjoying it. For those of you who didn’t like any previous versions of Windows, this might be the one for you.

7

Hey, I knew they’d get it right someday! :wink:

I don’t know if you can answer this or not, but…

I read that XP is going to have limited to no support for USB devices. I’ve only seen it in one article–which leads me to believe it’s not true–but I would like to know before I consider upgrading.

Hope you continue to enjoy your XP beta!

8

XP supports USB 1.0 (Except for a certain brand of USB CD-RWs in the beta), but will not be compliant with USB 2.0 (At least, there are no plans for USB2.0 compatibility).

My USB scanner worked without even having to install anything. :slight_smile:

9

Hot damn! I’ve been waiting for it’s release. I read about it ages ago. How, exactly, did you get a beta disk?

And while I’m asking questions, I always thought Monster104 was a hot chick. What are you doing being a he?

10

Monster104, where can I get ahold of the beta?

I’ve been hoping XP will make me feel more at ease about not switching to Linux… I just can’t justify making the switch when all I use are Office, IE, DirectX games, EditPad and Visual Basic :-\

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To get the Beta 2 release, I went to the Windows XP Preview Program page and signed up (several weeks ago). This was to get the Release Candidates 1 and 2. However, I was one of the first 20,000 to apply, so I got the Beta 2 CD mailed to me. I believe you can still apply to get the Release Candidates, but the Beta release was limited.

Cnote, monster is the hot chick. I’m the guy who people say looks kinda like Matt Damon (Don’t ask me, I don’t really think so).