Question for OS Experts: Windows 2000 or Windows XP?

[Lando]

XP, no question. First, anything you don't like can be turned off, so you can make it function almost exactly like 2000 if you want. Second, the hardware/software compatibility is better. Third, it seems that you're in the dark about the antipiracy measures. The only time XP needs a cd is when you install it, and that's kind of a no-brainer. To force reactivation, you have to change three pieces of hardware, which just isn't gonna happen with a laptop. (PCMCIA cards and USB devices don't count.) Finally, even if you ever have to reactivate, it only takes about ten seconds, and the Vole only cares if he sees one product key being used to activate hundreds or thousands of times.

 

[Sovkiller]

Quote:

Originally posted by Lando XP, no question. First, anything you don't like can be turned off, so you can make it function almost exactly like 2000 if you want. Second, the hardware/software compatibility is better. Third, it seems that you're in the dark about the antipiracy measures. The only time XP needs a cd is when you install it, and that's kind of a no-brainer. To force reactivation, you have to change three pieces of hardware, which just isn't gonna happen with a laptop. (PCMCIA cards and USB devices don't count.) Finally, even if you ever have to reactivate, it only takes about ten seconds, and the Vole only cares if he sees one product key being used to activate hundreds or thousands of times.

And if you need a key just PM me...LOL....there are hundreds of key numbers going around in the net, that will make your XP work without problems even a corporate edition one.....

 

[wallijonn]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sovkiller ...computer management in winXP pro is exactly the same as in windows 2000,

No, I differ. The differences are substantial. Look into user priviledges. I'll take some screen shots and get back to you. just give me a little time to post them.

 

[blip]

WinXP all the way. Most of the greatness of 2k with better, more up-to-date hardware support. Sometimes it's good to be in the majority!

My only advice is to look up as many OS tweaks as you can after you have it installed. WinXP is, IMHO, bloated and dumbed down in its default state, but with a little taming it's a great OS.

 

[davidmiya]

For those of you who can't make up their mind whether Windows XP or Windows 2000 is better, why not just install two partitions? One will run Windows XP and the other will run Windows 2000.

Over the last 8 years, i have had Windows 3.1, 95, 98, 98SE, 2000, ME, XP Home, and XP Pro on various computers. In my experience, each OS has been a substantial improvement on the previous (with the exception of Windows ME). I actually was running Windows 2000 before buying a new computer with Windows XP pro a few months ago. I liked how Windows XP had so many options and new capabilities. However, I didn't like the loss of some of my administrative priveleges. Additionally, the user interface, although more user-friendly is not optimal for those of us with more complicated needs.

Because I do a decent amount of media editing, I do use Windows XP from time to time. However, for my everyday use, which includes word processing, website buiding, and internet, I use Windows 2000 pro.

However, since I use both, I found that I needed to find a solution that would allow me to switch between both OS's quickly and painlessly. I searched around and found Bootmagic and Partitionmagic to be adequate. I now have a screen that prompts me at startup and asks me whether I want to boot Windows XP or Window 2000. If I don't make a decision within a certain amount of time (which I can specify) then it boots my default OS (which is now set to Windows 2000.

This is just my solution to sticky situation. I'm not suggesting that everyone multiboot their system. I just want to show people what is possible.

 

[skagen]

Quote:

Originally posted by kelly Pros for 2000 vs XP: +2000 doesn't require any kind of online registration or Microsoft snooping. Most people know how to get around this in XP but it was simply never an issue in 2000.

I'm assuming that I'd be considered a basic user - 90% of my usage is (Opera , Open Office, Language Transation Software and Music Ripping / Downloading). Other little software fo course, but that's most of the usage, I don't do any gaming at all.

Seems like the consensus view is that XP (and/or XP) Pro is better than Win 2K for such basic usage.

But what about this "Microsoft snooping" / security issue? What exacty does XP do in this regard? I've read anecdotes where people claim that XP is designed to search your computer during updates and report unregistered software etc to Mcirosoft.

Is that true? Are there other snooping/privacy issuses as well? Like most people with a non-corporate computing budget, I tend to be, shall we say....."creative" in my sourcing of software.

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I'm not sure how much snooping MS does, but just get a good firewall and block any attempts to access the 'net that aren't your doing. Also, don't install the service packs that MS offers as it goes in and does stuff other than update the system.

Supposedly, when you install Windows XP it registers your components you have, and knows what changes you make. If you change too many components it thinks you copied the OS onto a new computer and wants you to check with MS to verify the validity of your software. My father installed XP on his home computer, and when I installed it onto a brand new computer with every single component changed it registered the same serial # and personal info with MS without a hitch. Evne though the computer was completely different, his info and serial # were the same, therefore it went thru without the slightest hitch.

 

[blessingx]

The XP serials (at least did) have a four month freeze time. If you reregister after that time, it shouldn't be a problem for a second computer, etc.

Skagen the built in multi-language support of XP is also superior to 2000.

 

[CaptBubba]

Basically Microsoft doesn't want you using one copy of XP on two computers. I personally feel the license to the OS should be on a per user basis, but MS doesn't feel the same way.

To keep you from using XP on multiple computers you have to register it. If you change something major after you register it (motherboard, for example), you have to re-register it. Basically, just a pain in the ass. This works fine for my laptop, which doesn't change often, but for my desktop it is a real annoyance considering I change things all the damn time on it.

Does 2k have the speedstep support of XP? That would be kinda important for a laptop.

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by CaptBubba Does 2k have the speedstep support of XP? That would be kinda important for a laptop.

If I remember correctly (as mentioned I've moved over to OSX), XP has native SpeedStep support and 2000 doesn't. That said I believe it was a simple download from Intel and actually gave the advantage of switching speeds manually much easier than XPs under-the-hood automatic changes (which the Intel app could do also). Again this is all if memory serves.

 

[Duncan]

I'm not sure...

I've had XP since October 26 2001, and within 6 weeks, it became unloadable... so much for it being indestructable

XP has died again (gets stuck just as you enter onto the 'Windows is Loading screen, the one before the green animated bar), which is why i've ummed and ahhed enough, and finally opted to install Win 2K on my computer

So far so good, although its a fresh install, so can't be conclusive at this stage...

One thing that really irks me about XP though is, that if it glitches (like mine has) - that if you choose to re-install, it doesn't repair the original c:\windows directory, it just over-writes it, so that you end up losing all of your settings / apps... not happy with that...

98, 98SE, ME, and XP as an upgrade didn't do that... so why should it as a fresh install over a trashed setup?

 

[blessingx]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan One thing that really irks me about XP though is, that if it glitches (like mine has) - that if you choose to re-install, it doesn't repair the original c:\windows directory, it just over-writes it, so that you end up losing all of your settings / apps... not happy with that...

Are you sure about this Duncan? I had a friend with boot (NTLDR) issues last week and I helped him over the phone step through the XP repair install and it didn't write over programs/settings. It seemed to have a glitch where he had to run it twice, but everything was functional once it booted properly.

 

[Duncan]

To be honest blessingx, it says that this 'may happen', and.. it DID happen one time, which has put me off of re-attempting...

I guess in the big scheme of things, that in that case, the registry could've been screwed, so it didn't even realise that there should be anything there... but regardless, it did happen...

I wish I knew how to use the MS Console thing on the XP CD... I'm pretty sure that I could remedy the current issue (says that a system file is corrupted) but I have no idea how to use the console (or how to find / extract files from within the cab files - assuming MS still use CAB like in the days of 3.11 et al)

I might research this, bring XP back to life (if it'll happen) and run the two OSs side by side...

 

[blessingx]

Last time I mention OSX, except to say these are all part of the reasons I now use a Mac.

One of the things I miss about the Windows world and one of the things that made these problems more tolerable and essential to running a smooth ship is PartitionMagic. It saved me about 200 times when I had system issues (and I use to wipe my drive every six months so I usually had a reasonably clean install). If anyone hasn't looked into it, do. On top of everything else it helps with a dual boot system (has some boot load prog and you can give and take space between the partitions- always best to separate the OSs- dual Windows or Linux). Besides an anti-virus program (another thing I don't have to worry about with... oops I said it was already the last time) I think PartitionMagin is the essential utility.

 

[Lando]

Duncan, have you ruled out hardware problems? Something like a bad power supply or stick of ram can wreak major havoc.