Not to highjack but, has anyone here running XP had any prodblems defraging their drive? I installed XP Pro a week ago and everytime I try to defrag the drive it gets stuck at 1% and the disk continues thrashing until I shut down the system. Anyone here having the same problems?
Re games the answer is yes they run most DirectX based games fine. Quake III Arena works perfectly.
RE Home vs Pro compatibility they are identical code sets with the exception of the NT networking, Dual CPU and directory encrypting etc features bundled into Pro.
At first install XP would not work with Adaptec’s Roxio 4.0/5.0 CD Creator. There was an windows update and after applying this Roxio installed and worked flawlessly.
Bear in mind XP has CD recording and erasing capability built in. I chose to use Roxio since I have image files I needed to burn into CDs and I wasn’t in the mood to dig enough to find out if XP could do this plus I was just used to CD Creator. I was surprised, hoever, when XP popped up with a “do you want to erase/record” applet when I popped CDRW media into the drive.
I was surprised (but should not have been) at the number of older non-MS programs that will not work with XP. Winfax Pro 9.0 would not work so I had to upgrade to version 10.0. Photoshop 5.0 will not install so unless a compatibility update is available at some point I will have to make do with other programs which is OK. I want to get away from older 16 bit apps.
XP is generally compatible but it is NOT based on the DOS/3.1/95/98/ME code set. It is a different and better animal. If you have a lot of older mission critical windows apps that can’t be updated you’re better of sticking with ME and below.
XP home will suffice for just about any home networking requirements and it (and Pro) have wizards for ICS and network setup built in. The security options even with the home version are amazing compared to the ME and earlier versions of Windows. If you’re going to be doing or attaching to anything NT related you will want the Pro edition.
Plus, to enable dual monitors, you need the professional version, not the home version (At least that’s how it was explained to me).
The speed issue is certainly disconcerting… I want speed, but I also should get familiar with XP if I want my career move to change.
But that’s my conundrum: I want the speed and familiarity of 98SE when it comes to games and compatibility, but I also want to putz around with XP.
Can anyone suggest a thread or a site that talks about dual booting and how it works?
Handy FYI XP found, installed and works perfectly with the little $ 25.00 lucent chipset based winmodem I had onboard.
Here is an excellent site that discusses XP home networking
http://www.extremetech.com/article/0,3396,s%3D1034%26a%3D11839,00.asp
Windows XP and Home Networks
It’s Easier Than Ever Before–Thanks To The Wizards
By: Bruce and Marge Brown
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Windows XP Home Networking Features
• Test Scenario and Overview
• Home Networking Wizard
• Network Setup Wizard
• Choosing Your Internet Connection Method
• Naming the Computer and Network
• Configuring the System With Your Settings
• Completing Setup–Creating a Network Startup Disk
• Viewing the Network
• Network Tasks–View Status
• Sharing Files, Folders & Drives
• Configuring Other Computers on Your Network
Here is an interesting message thread from that site that discussed home peer to peer and ICS setups with XP working with earlier with 98/ME machines.
http://discuss.extremetech.com/n/main.asp?webtag=extremetech&nav=messages&msg=1985.5
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/default.asp
Windows XP Professional > Using Windows XP
Windows XP Professional How-to Articles
Learn how Windows XP can help you work smarter. If you manage Windows XP in a corporate environment, or if you need advanced how-to information, check out our Windows XP Professional How-to Articles for IT Pros page.
Get Ready to Set Up Windows XP Professional
Install: Quick Upgrade
Install: New Installation
Install: Join a Network
Install: Q&A
Configure: Logging On
Configure: Create Your Accounts
Configure: Connect to the Network
Configure: Q&A
Back Up and Recover Your Information
Troubleshoot Windows XP Installation
Make Windows XP Professional Accessible
Get Windows XP Professional Support
Multibooting with Windows XP: Introduction
Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows 2000 Professional
Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows NT Workstation
Multibooting: Windows XP and Windows Me or Windows 9x
Posted: October 25, 2001
You can install two or more operating systems on your computer, and then choose the one that you want to use each time you restart. This is known as multibooting. You can configure your computer to start Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, and either Windows 95 or Windows 98."
OK. Thanks.
Now suppose I multiboot. Will the slowdowns that others have talked about here, and I’ve read, still be an issue if I’m in 98 mode?
Scratch that last question. It appears that link will guide me through it.
Thanks- sometimes I only need a nudge.