What Operating System?

[NZ255]

Hey, again. Yeah alotta Q's coming from me lately but I'm upgrading computer's and all and am just wondering what operating system I should get, if I can't sell my old one with 98 on it.(It has XP now, but I was going to try and keep that version and just chuck 98 on it, when I do sell it.

So...what's it gonna be? XP Professional (Has to be to pro see multi-cores I believe?) XP Professional 64 Bit (More RAM!!), or Vista (What's it like? Still got bugs?)

Thanks for all your comments,

Nick

[Alex]

I don't think the 64-bit version of XP Pro is really worth it unless you plan to be using more than 3.5Gb of RAM on a regular basis, I have 2.5Gb on a regular (32-bit) PC and rarely do I use more than 1/1.5Gb - and thats with a lot of resource-hungry apps open.

Vista has a lot less bugs than it used to, and the compatibility gap between XP and Vista is closing fast (i.e. lots of things are compatible with Vista). It would still require a small amount of set-up if you wanted to get rid of the very annoying 'Security Alerts' that pop up very regularly.

However Vista does use more resources than XP - it depends which way you want to go. I personally would find it hard to justify buying a new version of Windows XP, given that it is effectively nearly at the end of it's developmental lifespan, and people will be turning to Vista for their flash new toys in the future over Windows XP.

Anyway, those are my thoughts.

Alex

[brownbox]

xp home is fine with dual cores. You probably want to keep away from 64bit, as i feel its more hassle than its worth. I would go for vista 32bit. Getting xp would give you more speed, but im not sure how future proof it would be

[kimz28]

If you have the hardware, I would go with Vista, I have both 32 and 64bit versions of Vista Ultimate (so I could test PC game compatibility) and at first did not like it, but over time and with the release of service pack 1 and the new improved drivers from the big graphic card guys, Vista seems like the better choice, I have since removed XP Pro from my PC ( I had a dual boot machine) and find the Vista to be a much more pleasant experience

[ronindanbo]

Vista 64 is certainly progressing as a good OS, I use it as I need the whole 4GB for 3D work and having 4GB is really good when you are running full AI on your system. The power really still lies in the graphics card end though

[GASKA]

QUOTE (ronindanbo @ May 9 2008, 07:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Vista 64 is certainly progressing as a good OS, I use it as I need the whole 4GB for 3D work and having 4GB is really good when you are running full AI on your system. The power really still lies in the graphics card end though

I still use windows XP. To many problems with Vista

Jim

[NZ255]

OK, Vista Home Premium looks ok, price wise as well. How do you tell if it's a complete or full version? If it's cheap or not? You can pick one up for 130 bucks. Can this be upgraded from Win 98?

Nick

[Mattnz]

Most of those I see there are the OEM version of the OS

Vista Home Premium retails for about NZ$450 for a non-upgrade version I think. Upgrade is around $250 or so. But if you're a student, you can get the upgrade version for around $150 from Ascent .

I don't know if it can be upgraded from Win98 - I thought I read somewhere that it can only be upgraded from XP, but I may be wrong...

I would definitely recommend Vista Home Premium thought

[NZ255]

OEM, what does that mean?, apart from the acronym description?

http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecificati...x?ItemID=364068 Wow! Amazing! 32/64 Bit, does that mean both 32 and 64 or 64 but 32 as well? Was that a stupid question?

[benwynn]

Can't really explain it myself, but this is what Wiki has to say:

QUOTE

There are two types of OEM when it comes to operating systems. The first is when a pre-built computer is purchased, there is a OEM disk that comes with the system, which can not be transferred to any other system, because that disk is designed to run only with the specific system components. The second type of OEM Operating system is one that can be purchased, and that can be transferred to any other system, without the dependence on the systems components. The main difference between the two is that one is only meant for that specific system, and the other can be used on any system.[/quote]

That one you have linked to is the Academic version, so you will need to provide them with a student I.D (supposedly, but they never asked for mine ), and I'm not sure what the 32/64 bit thing means there, so maybe best to check with them on that one. I do notice that it tells me that in mine there is a 32-bit disk included, along with information on how to obtain a 64-bit DVD.

Oh, and just looking on my box, it says:

QUOTE

UPGRADE: For users running Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP, or Windows Vista only[/quote], so I guess Win98 is excluded.

Mattnz

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[NZ255]

K cool, just wondering what to do.
If I buy Vista i'll have to install it over my current version of XP, then copy all that data onto another HD, then uninstall Vista on the first HD, then install XP onto it, then put the new HD with Vista into my new computer and put the old one with XP back into my old computer which I'm selling.

Would there be an easier way? I suppose I could fork out more $$ for a new HD. Edit: No I can't because it's a upgrade version.

Nick

[HardCorePawn]

The 32/64 bit thing just means it should come with both a 32 bit install disc and a 64bit install disc or as mentioned above, you are able to get the 64bit DVD for free (postage fee maybe??)

At work we have access to the MS download center [sic]... so we just log in, download the ISO and burn it to CD or DVD

[benwynn]

Just wipe your hard drive, and boot from the CD. Easy done.

[HardCorePawn]

QUOTE (benwynn @ May 10 2008, 08:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just wipe your hard drive, and boot from the CD. Easy done.

Until it pipes up and says that there needs to be an OS to upgrade... I think these ask for the install cd for the old OS or maybe just ask for a CD-Key for an 'upgradeable' version of windows (ie. 2k, XP or vista basic)

[NZ255]

Problem solved, we remembered we have another computer that has XP on it so we will just a copy that to a bigger HDD then reinstall to have a fresh copy installed. So I don't have to copy everything across (other programs and stuff) what folders do I need to copy across? WINDOWS ....

Thanks, Nick