From my experience with windows 2000 I'd say go with XP.

"2. Backup to Windows XP, a system I am comfortable with"

I've heard nothing about Windows 7 except negative comments. It will be released with numerous flaws that the users will discover.

I'd give W7 6 months before I touched it.

It will be nice when there is a really really mature software program to do the things we really need to do with the hardware.

For myself the thing about my Mac is that it is to my mind Hardy.

I do miss my HP Workstation for with XP I was somehow able to generate better text, and get it out the door.

Whomever puts together the hardware and the software in a mature package will get my vote, (dollars).

The fu**king things are just typewriters or drawing pads to me. Why I'm supposed to feel ashamed that I want the machine to work for me, instead of being constantly insulted because it doesn't, really pisses me off.

P.S. What are Computers and their programs really supposed to do?

My Olympus Digital Camera has a 135 page instruction manual. It was written by monkeys.

Hahahaha, that's the best rant I've heard in a long time!

I am with Lynchlynch- go with XP until you are sure W7 can cut the mustard. Vista would be a waste of time, especially since MS is accelerating its replacement...I suspect XP will be around a while.

You might also want to have a look at some of the new Linux distros- you can pretty much run all your Windows apps in virtual machines. It is highly likely that the distro will include drivers for your graphics card on the 2000 machine...

Since you already have plenty of computers/laptops running Windows XP, I say take a chance with Windows 7. If you don't challenge yourself, how will you ever learn?

Consider that most of your programs may not be compatible with W7 or Vista. If you consider the cost of upgrading your programs and the headaches of getting them to work on the new systems, I'd go with XP until they say, "The bugs are all fixed".

Regards.

About compatibillity of programs:

1. I have an archiver written in the era of wi95, named ''Qutillity'' . It is still runnin with XP without any program. How?

2. Nirosoft is familiar for ''Stand-alone'' one function appaletts. One has 2 versions; for XP 32 bit & the other for 64 bit, and another for XP & W98. The one runs on both but 64bit does not while the one for xp + win98 both run on both OSs.

3. There are a lot of other ''Stand-alone'' worth using for single job individually & Free.

Most of them are of Win98 & still running on my PC in XP.

4. Will the drivers for onboard of a motherboard compatible with XP will work on new upgrades ?

It's the time for all to come to the help ...

The answer to the question lies with the software manufacturer's willingness to provide a driver to the newer operating systems.

Thanks

I've found that anything which runs in XP will, also in Vista and I expect so in W7 too. If you install a program but it doesn't load just find the application file and right click to compatibility mode for XP and viola` you're in...

There's an expression I'm sure you've all heard:

"If it works don't fix it"

Windows XP works. I'll "upgrade" Vista on the Dell lap top to that.

I've been assured that the OS download, if obtained from Dell, will include all the necessary drivers and scripts needed to make the transition flawless.

Yeh Sure! And I can walk on water!

Thanks everyone. . . I've gotten what I thought I might get:

1. generous support

2. an answer I should have expected.

I'm signing off from this conversation

L.J.

The one issue I've heard about Windows 7 is that it allows Microsoft almost unlimited access to your files and your browsing. It's in the legal stuff - if you agree, it installs. If not, it won't install.

You might want to check this out.

I am also running a Dell, in my case, this is also the first computer I did not build myself. Bought it with a full XP professional (not embedded in computer). Its been three years of flawless operation, even with a lot of freewares and open sources installations and travels between company net and home wifi.

As long as I've heard about the other guys here that make more money than me and were already able to upgrade machines, they just go up in hardware to have basically the same performance I have with my old one. I'll stuck with it untill it dies from multiple organs failure. XP professional is still the best choice in the MS platform.

Everyone touts XP but they don't remember how is was before SP1; which took four years. The process in Vista took about 18 month by comparison and consider Xp's been around about seven years.

I would strongly urge you to take the free upgrade to W7. One great thing is you can create a virtual hard drive and install XP in W7, any software that will run in XP will run in W7 too, or at least in compatible mode.

At last sound reasoner giving sound advise. Why purchase a downgrade free only to purchase an upgrade (fresh install) at full price.. taking the most up to date now will aslo come with the longest period of support from Mfr.

I just upgraded my Mac from Leopard to Snow Leopard. $29, only whacked to fringe apps that got fixed in a week. No change in appearance, just faster. Sadly I have to also use Windows, all varieties.

I bought the first computer I didn't build about a year ago: HP laptop with Vista. I also bought my wife a MacBook. I use the Mac whenever I can. Windows just plane sucks. I am looking forward to buying another Mac so I don't have to squabble with my wife about the Mac. The computer I built ran on 98SE; I figured I had OS problems from just running newer hardware and drivers on an old OS. Turns out I have more problems with Vista... how is it that such an inferior OS is running the world?

Being familiar with 98SE maybe a handicap when unfamiliar with using Vista though it is a fairly straight forward O/s which I thoroughly enjoy.

I found a carton full 95 software the other day and hot diggity dog all 23 will run fine in Vista without a hitch.

I don't care for off the shelf Dell much and HP not much better...

Just finished a i7 core 950, you could dry her hair with the graphic cards cooling fan

Send me a line I'll help if I can...

Several years ago, when Vista had been out for about a year, I bought a new HP business machine. I asked the sales tech which OS he recommended- his exact words were "Don't even THINK about using Vista". Great advice.

XP will be around for quite a while- Too many corporate users. Although not "officially" supported, Win2000 is still supported (and used by MANY big users- like the entire GE family).

Remember, though, that WHATEVER different OS you install, you will have to re-install ALL of your software. The files and data will still be there, but teh new OS breaks all of the registry links, so the software needs to be re-installed to set up the new registry links.

I agree the the "new" Micro 7 should be a decent system in about 18-24 months, but MS is still tweaking XP- I get automatic updates, and they come about every 2-3 weeks. I would wait for MS7 to mature, and by then you may need to upgrade your computer and get it with MS7.

Everybody concentrates their minds on the Windows operating system, but in my limited experience a considerable chunk of the problems are caused by associated programs - especially anti-virus and the fact that we, as users are trying to run older peripherals with drivers which were not designed for the new OS! Whoever writes the stuff is from a different planet, usually a couple of months behind Microsoft and this is what causes most of the operating conflict/crashes.

The last HDD crash I suffered, (Aug'09) followed a couple of weeks of problems between Google and Windows XP, before that it was caused by the battle between Norton 2006 and ZoneAlarm Pro - they are in competition and it is understandable if Microsoft doesn't pass on every detail of their new operating system - they want market share and I'm sure it works both ways!

We have all suffered the pain of getting new equipment into a stable operating condition - usually down to software glitches. Things get sorted in the end and sometimes the customer even thanks you for sorting it out. Imagine the enormity of trying to write an operating system for a vast spread of computers of all ages by different manufacturers, where the users have added all sorts of conflicting programs, and peripherals and hardly ever bother to clean out the air filters let alone take back-ups.

I just wish these Companys competing for our business/money would be more open about the problems being reported to them, we could undestand what is happening,(we might even be able to help) and the world of computing would be so much more enjoyable.

It's going to be interesting to see whether any of us will be using Win 7 at work. Boeing has already switched ALL of it's PCs over to LINUX because of Win 7's ability to let Microsoft in the back door. Boeing found the since the work for the government, they cannot maintain their secret status while using Win 7. I'm wondering how many other companies this is going to affect.

How ironic Linux has the same back-door feature as MS but because they have characterised it differently others assume it's safer.

The back-door feature is required by guess who

From what I understand, it's relatively easy to close the door in LINUX.

Yes you can in MS also but they just open another port

2. Backup to Windows XP, a system I am comfortable with.

My IT Guru cringes at the Idea of wading through 3 service packs on 7 if it was used on company machines.

Hence all new machines at this fortune 500 company he contracts to, were upgraded from Vista to XP Pro.

My advice is to take the PC the free upgrade to Win7 (make sure its not the cheapest Win7 as this has a lot of good stuff missing from it!!) and put the Win7 in the cupboard for the moment (although I personally have heard many good things about Win7!. Try it out if you wish.....you never know!!)

Install WinXP Pro and use it for at least the next 24 months. If you like it, stay with it and eventually sell the Win7.

If you wish to upgrade after 2 years, install Win7 (maybe it will only install via Vista, that is possible, I have heard that, so you may need to "save" the Vista install before you install WinXP Pro) and it (Win7) should by then be a good usable modern system.....

I only bought XP Pro at the SP1 stage because MS always takes a long time to get the initial bugs fixed. Also, you become an easy target for viruses due to these bugs.

By the way, WinXP Pro programs will run under Win7's XP Pro simulator with no problems whatsoever, I have recently read about this in the German Magazine ComputerBild..The simulator is NOT in the cheapest Win7, so make sure that the upgrade is NOT for the cheapest Win7...... Not like Vista where you had to buy almost all new software as it would not run XP software, and no proper simulator installed......

At the moment I am running PCs with Win95, 98 and XP so the XP experience is a delight after the older versions. Having used Vista on a new laptop I was very disapointed and downgraded to XP Pro which is great.

The computer wizzkid who repaired my PC after it's last disaster told me not to bother with Windows XP SP3 as he has found it causes more problems than it fixes - have any other users had experience of this?

He also recommended Norton Internet security, (not the 360 version) which adds a good Firewall onto a very good AV program, (Norton 2009 AV is far better than the old clunky 2006 version). The Norton package means I can leave ZoneAlarm off and gets rid of the problem of them fighting each other - why do we have to learn all this the hard way!

I still find that Google is very slow to operate for some reason, (been slow for about 5 weeks and the HDD has been replaced and XP OS + all the other programs reloaded).

Guest,

trying to run more than one AV programme on the same machine has always been a no--no. The two inevitably conflict and cause problems.

Personally I read \the Computer Forums to assess which AV to use and make my own decisions.

Norton has had bettter reviews recently wheras in the past it was a bit of a dog.

Make sure that whatever AV you use you can remove properly.

I always set my AV to read and assess everything that enters and exits my systems.

I then schedule the system to do a full Scan every night before it does a full Backup. In the morning I can check the results, take a note of file numbers, size and time taken. Logged in my diary. This keeps me happy as well as the system.

Sleepy

Well put.

May I add that most DSL Modems that I have used (not that many!) also have a built in antivirus/firewall system, that if activated, adds a few percent more safety.....many forget this!!!!

I too am intrigued by the virtual PC feature that allows one to install XP to a virtual hard drive within W7 and have received very encouraging reports.

The thought has been expressed that updating to Vista which by the way does run 99% of XP programs without a hitch the bugs being removed via SP1/SP2, may prove cost effective. If sticking with XP be prepared for a big bite when the eventual upgrade is required.

Other than the basic version of Win7, XP support is already IN!!

I'm going to upgrade a customer to W7 ultimate 64bit tomorrow...

I never take advise from those whom are not proficient with equipment they're recommending.

Not proficient? You got to be jerking my chain young man. I've been working on PC's since the early eighties. I worked on PC's back when the only OS was CP/M. I hold not only an A+ certificate but I also am a certified master in computer electronics. So, don't make assumptions just because someone was trying to post a reply with some liveliness and color. Besides, you are the one who bought the thing so now you are stuck with it. So, don't even think of crying my shoulder.

I would upgrade to windows 7. It has a feel of XP with excellent performance (NO, i'm NOT a MS FANBOY). Try it and see if you like it. Don't get me wrong, on my home machine I have 4 different multi boot scenario's (including xp) but I must say I prefer the Win7 environment.

It's a good thing that drives are so cheap :)

Just a FYI,

Microsoft released their virus / spyware combo yesterday for free

download at

www.microsoft.com/Security_essentials

It depends on the software apps you use.

The rule of thumb concerning Microsoft is: "Run the oldest operating system which can reasonably run your applications"

My father mainly use "Word" - he runs "Windows 95" - happy as a clam

Last year I switched my home desktop over to Linux(Ubuntu). Still have XP on my laptop. I really prefer the desktop/Linux combo which now gets used 95% of the time. Any future PC for me (desktop, laptop, or mini) will either have a Linux variant preloaded or come with no OS. I have supported MS products for a long time., but no more. Sorry Bill! ;-)

If uncertain about using Linux, there is a dual boot install. This would allow you to boot into an MSOS or Linux to evaluate the pros and cons of each OS.

Theoretically speaking, an operating system is not an absolute necessity, provided that each app will conform to any agreed upon File-System to run the HDD properly, and take care of it's own hardware interfacing.

Such conformity can be written into the HDD's firmware, to deny rogue apps from running havoc on such a File-System

I have 7 beta and like it so far but I would not use it on a day to day basis until at least SP1 is out. Stick with XP.

I really enjoyed reading your post, it reflected many of my own experiences, other than I have kept completely away from Vista and I will probably only convert to Win7 when it is a few years old, just like I did with XP Pro some years ago!

Many thanks.

Where did you get the name DrMoose from?????

I am also retired (Royal) Navy.

I have found that people I get on well with are retired military. Ones I get on EXTREMELY well with are retired Navy........

well you could use a dual booting system and install BOTH Versions of windows, then you could see which one you like best. Good luck ( sometimes we just have to get out of our comfortable box and try something new, ( hey you could always go to linux )

The simple truth is this. XP will be like 98SE. People will be using it for years, until support is phased out and probably for a while after that too.

But! The future belongs to Windows 7, and whatever comes after. Thankfully, W7 is already a pretty good system, and is only going to get better. So say just about all of us who have worked with it since the first beta release. (Please feel free to contradict me, but only if you have been working with it as long as I have!)

Regards.

Quite a number of people still using W98SE + XP in dual-boot & I hope will be using XP + 7 as dualboot if possible as it is in case of XP + Vista.

Great question.

I'm a little late joining this, so please excuse if I repeat any points.

My current workhorse is a Dell (not laptop). It's served me well and, for the price, performed well. Last computer I got was not Del - mainly because they didn't offer anything other then the dratted Vista that so many folk seem to complain of. Win 7 doesn't sound a whole lot better. For reasons beyond my knowledge, it seems to be regarded as self-installed spyware ( though I tend to work on the assumption it all is).

After much net searching I found somebody who could build to order and install XP. They did offer an upgrade (to Win 7, when available). Trouble with Vista (according to what I've read on CR4 is that once on your machine, your stuck with it. No amount of formatting etc will rid you of it. Win7 has only just been released, and based on prior performance from m/s, I'd fully expect it to have glitches for some time )not forgetting the 'spyware aspect that others have mentioned).

The 'open source advocates would have a field day with your question. Only trouble is finding software that will do what you need of it.

Dell (in my experience) make a good product, and also give good customer-service back up. If you have the confidence, get one built to spec. It may well be cheaper than 'off the shelf', and you can request whatever upgrade (or downgrade ) you need to keep the thing up and running. Now does not seem to be good time to be buying new gear. If you can hold off for 6-months or so, I would.

In short;

Don't go with Vista unless you read the many threads on the topic here on CR4.

Go with XP - support is withdrawn by m/s, but it works

Don't go for Win7 unless you've seen several months of good reports on it.

Others on this thread have better knowledge than me - ultimately you take a bit of a risk. Hope it works out well for you

Win 7 doesn't sound a whole lot better. For reasons beyond my knowledge, it seems to be regarded as self-installed spyware ( though I tend to work on the assumption it all is).

Noted by those whom had assumed such is a new condition.

Trouble with Vista (according to what I've read on CR4 is that once on your machine, your stuck with it. No amount of formatting etc will rid you of it

This in reference to OEM systems only, blame the computer manufacturer or builder.

Ta for the OEM comment - stashed in brain for future referefence.

I just bought a Dell XP home latest version SP3 and I love it. A proven OS that works very well though I use the home addition it is intuitive reliable and I bought the computer for $165 off of eBay OS installed. Windows 7 is too new Vista I have had (2) Computer Gurus tell me it is not very good. XP is the best OS I have used.

I back that 100%.

Dell supplied me a great computer - brilliant design (easy to add bits to because the construct was so good). The customer support I got was also fantastic. Preloaded software, bu they sent me back up discs at no charge

With a fresh xp system you'll have to spend some time downloading updates when you get it, but it's worth the time. My understanding is that m/s have now withdrawn support for xp (gosh, I wonder why?)

I'm just about to go visit somebody who has Vista. It'll be a learning curve for me, but hopefully I'll see first hand what the ho-ha is about.

My general reading leads me to think Vista is trash. Early reports of Win7 seem favourable, but it looks to me as if the general shift may go the penguin way. ie open source. Concurrent with this is a discussion on publishing (books)on the internet versus buying books in a shop. Seems to me that that issues are not unrelated.

All I can add is that I use XP, and vary rarely have problems. I run extensive security checks etc, but so far have found no glitch. M/s must issue a new version each year to generate revenue.

MS still support XP, they wanted to stop, but thought better of it.....

If you had automatic updates enabled, you will see often updates being made.....if you haven't got it set up automatically, then you should be doing them manually.....

Once an update change is made, the Virus builders know what to do, basically MS has told them! so within 24 hours of the updates, Viruses are released to attack just that problem - if you did not install the fix for some reason!!

Be warned.

Ta for the info on XP support - I have all their most recent updates (at least I think) and have not checked recently. Are you saying that m/s are continuing to issue updates ? I know that should be easy for me to check, but I'd like confirmation of the current position. What's your own verdict ( I remember several excellent posts you've done on the topic) - would you say xp/vista/win7 ? It seems to be a bad time to chose an o/s right now. Next time I buy a system (probably within 12 months) I haven't got a clue which microsoft o/s product I'd trust.

XP still gets regular updates, I believe the last was Wednesday.

My personal take is:-

1) Never Vista unless needed as a step to Win7 (which was thought at one time, but it seems a stupid way to go for MS. I have the impression that this is not now needed).

2) Use WinXP Pro for at least the next 12 - 24 months and then try Win7 if the general consensus of opinion is that it has remained either as good as it seems to be today or even better.....I have heard a lot of good reports about it.......also XP software (that does not run under Win7 directly) is supported in an XP mode and appears to work just as it did with XP......

3) Do not buy the cheap version of Win7 as some vitally important features are missing....

If you get an offer of a really cheap upgrade to a full Win7 (not the cheap one though!) take it and try it out!!! If its not quite as good as it should/will be, then put it in a safe place with its reg code and buy a copy of XP Pro....

I hope this helps you further.

I should add that I have personally not tried Win7 yet, I am waiting for at least a year first.......

Maybe it's safe to step-up into Windows 95. They say they fully debugged it by now.

I must mention however, that I was told I should have never considered it in the first place, since it's an "OS2 Warp" ripoff to begin with, and not a brilliant one at that.

What should I do ?

Windows 3.11 is working fine, except for minor glitches it has with some DOS apps, and some incompatible DOS hardware drivers.

So, should I upgrade or what ?

YOU ARE A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR WIN7.....!!!!!

Your PC too!!!

Much thanks for the feedback, Andy. Sod it, I'm going to reinstall WFWG. If all else fails I'll go back to the oldest dos I've got (6.11 I think). Hey, it could happen

Yup. On second thought I'll stick to DOS 2.0.

It never gave me any trouble.

Just to be on the safe side, I'll also keep my steampunk typewriter "Old Faithful"

And some chalk for the blackboard for good measure.

Overshot the subject ?

Tell me about it

I don't know how the hell you got a picture of my pooeter, but that does make me green with envy. 2.0 ? I'd sell my soul to play wirh that. There's just something about the word 'tree' that excites me, and I ain't talkin' wood, it's more an up an down thing if you know what I mean. Dammit, I miss those green screens

For a mere $ 100,000.-- you can even have an original set of 5¼-inch floppies, and for 250,000 you can have the actual drive, supplied with an ISA-slot interface-card and gold-plated matching cable.

The ISA to PCIE conversion-port however is not that cheap: We have a genuine Swiss hand-made specimen ready to be delivered, at an opening price of 2.1 million Euro.

May we have your bid Sir ?

http://www.allbootdisks.com/download/dos.html

http://www.uv.tietgen.dk/staff/mlha/Download/dos/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Shell_and_Desktop/MS_Power_Toys/DosHere.html

Totally cool links

vermin's soul will be snatched and dispatched to you immediately.