Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 90
 Windows Downgrade March 4, 2005
Michael Kerner (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.)
19 out of 38 found this review helpful
I really have to admit, I was very surprised about how Windows XP was at first, thinking it was a better version of Windows than Windows Millennium Edition. Boy, was I ever wrong. When I installed Windows XP, it completely wiped out all my data, and stored files. Not only that, the software that was compatible to Windows XP including several computer games, and my modem which was Windows XP reliant, really didn't work on my computer, or ran at a much slower rate than previously, especially while I was surfing on the internet. I really have to admit I was very dissapointed in this version. It was such a big waste of money.
Overall: F
 Is Windows XP good for you? March 21, 2005
Person (across the street)
16 out of 18 found this review helpful
Ok, Windows XP may be good for people doing some things, while the older versions may be easier for you.
Usually Typing Pages In Microsoft Word - Windows XP and Windows 98 really make no difference in this. You could use both, and you could probably get things done quicker. Though, Windows XP is a bit more user friendly, so I'd get it for that.
Multimedia - You NEED Windows XP if you love movies and music! It comes with WMP 9, but I recommend using the 7.1 version, it's much better. But in XP, you get to create your own movies, and make cool music playlists, and burn CDs in minutes. Windows XP is the way to go here.
Interet Surfing - As owning 98 for 6 years and XP for not even a year, Windows 98 is better for this. I've had a lot of viruses with the SP1 version, mostly trojans. I've never had a joke, worm or mailing worm yet, but hoping not to have another.
But...
Since this comes with SP2, Windows XP is the best choice for the internet. I've never had ONE viruses with the SP2, so I would highly recommend downloading it if you currently have SP1.
Gaming - Hmm...a bit tricky here. If you have a lot of Windows XP compatable games, go to Windows XP. I have a lot of 98 games, and most of them run perfectly on XP (I've only had 2 out of 20 not working). So, XP is good for gaming, escpecially with the new DirectX.
Freezing - I've only had my computer freeze once on Windows XP (and it was my fault to, I pressed IE about 10 times in a row). On Windows 98, some days the computer wouldn't even open the start button. Windows XP's point.
Customizing Your Computer - Windows 98 time. On Windows XP, they only give you have of what 98 has. Plus, the desktops and screen savers are less outstanding, though with the upgrade, the 98 themes are still inside. Though, I think 98 should take this point.
Overall -
Windows 98 - 1 point
Windows XP - 5 points
Hmm...I'd recommend getting XP. It's faster, funner, and easier than 98.
MS *REALLY* messed up when they released XP and it continues! January 8, 2006
Altmed (California United States)
16 out of 37 found this review helpful
I'd avoid Windows XP AND XP Pro like the plague! Nothing but slower and slower processing, no DOS base if your files get infected or corrupted to boot into. If you feel you MUST buy an expensive Microsoft product (that BTW has you buying more MS products that are otherwise free on LINUX operating system, which BTW has many versions that are free too! AND are open-source, meaning that you can pick and choose what you wnat on your computer AND it will run 32, 64 and even 128 bit programs, which NO version of MS's prducts do!), BUT if you feel that you MUST have MS Windows, then Windows 2000 Pro is the way to go. It is by far the most stable Operating system MS makes! This year (2006), I was told by a MS employee that they are coming out with Windows 2006 that is for 64 bit processors only, thus if you "upgrade", you'll have to likely buy a new computer to go with the new program (unless you already spent entirely too much money on a 64 bit computer) AND you'll be adding to the millions of computers that are already in landfills, thus creating an environmental problem!
Every person I know that has XP has a multitude of problems with XP, and in "Microslop Style", they are STILL trying to fix Windows 2000's problems and crating more updates to this day!!! (Some of which I *suspect* aren't actual upgrades, but instead are created with intentinal glitches which are designed to screw up your computer so you'll buy a new one!)
If you want a great, reliable and stable operating system for your computer, get LINUX! YOu can make it run just like Windows, but be *SURE* you also buy LINUX-compatable peripherals, such as your camera, printer, etc.!!! (Some are for Windows only, which is why there are *SO* many antitrust suits against Microsoft apparently!!!) If you buy software that can run in LINUX, then you'll be able to use it for ANY operating system! (except perhaps for some deranged crap that MS puts out!)
XP crashes the more it is used, runs slower and slower the more it is used, and the programming is simply sloppy (anyone who's ever programmed even in BASIC can tell that by the way it runs!)
AND BTW, LINUX has so much freeware that you won't need to buy other extremely expensive programs as there are a multitude of free programs for photo processing & editing (which is better than the leading brand name program for this very purpose AND is easier to use, educational games for the kids, editing for movies, and on and on! LINUX is set up by the user, and while it may take a bit of work to set up is well worth the effort AND will save you tons of time and money in the long run!
LINUX is not only free, but is also nearly virus-free! (and if you set up the firewall and antivirus software correctly then not only will you NOT get infected, as with Windows, you can (for entertainment) set up another free program to watch those viruses, that were written by simply mean people that outta be jailed for life, simply splat onto a file if you wish - not affecting your FREE LINUX operating system OR the programs you run on your computer (AND BTW, you can also use the Windows emulator for those Windows programs you already have, but after time will likely get rid of them for better and FREE LINUX open-source programs, BUT LINUX will still be able to play your games, run your financial software (and more securely) and OH! Did I mention that on LINUX it's all FREE (including the operating system and Windows emulator???!!!???)
I think Microsoft is getting ready to simply put themselves out of business with the poorly-written software they put out. I have a SMALL partition on my HD that has Windows 2000 Pro on it for my old camera and goofing off, but when I get my new one, Windows will be history. Nearly everyone I know is converting to LINUX (especially the XP users that are RUNNING to LINUX because they are tired of their computers crashing!)
MS blew it when they released XP (worse than they blew it before with their other OSs that need constant updates to even run properly, and whn they blew the updates, everyone with XP had their computers blue-screening (crashing) and thus not working at all.
All I can say is Microsoft better come out with something better, more stable and complete (and with a LINUX or DOS-based back-door if computers are messed up by viruses, bad programming in the Windows program itself, etc.) or they are going to put themselves right out of business! They've lost me and many people I know as a result of XP's release.
XP is easy to work at first for novice computer users (but then it's not any more to learn how to use LINUX, but after time, it seems inevidible that it WILL CRASH and those irreplaceable pictures, recipes, etc. may be gone after it does!
 But get the PRO edition and not the HOME one February 16, 2005
OverTheMoon (overthemoonreview@hotmail.com)
15 out of 24 found this review helpful
Running Windows 95 and that means Windows 98 is illegal in your country and you are in the land of needing a new computer fast, feeling that you might have a box that looks like it is running windows 3.1 and to be honest now is your chance to move to Windows 2000 for a more solid operating system. Even NT users found more stability in Windows 2000, 98 users mostly gamers or downloaders, seeing the blue screen of death often, while Win 2K users doing something a little more software intensive like multimedia, graphics and servers that 98 could not manage. So came the day of the duel-processor, having an NT Dual 500mhz, upgrading to Win2K and you still had a fast machine, 64mb and 128mb games cards never really impressing you that much to get a better machine, a games console maybe cheaper and better, XP a little slow for you and besides, 2K was compatible with nearly everything and you could duel boot linux for fun. The only reason to buy a computer between the release of XP and now was if you did not have one and even then plenty of second hand units going around.
Year: 2005
256mb graphics cards, LCD monitors on the cheap, DVD-R media, Broadband, now is the time to upgrade your machine. AMD have some nice chips but the hyperthreading Intel P4 3.0GHz is a killer chip. 1GB of RAM, no problem. A pimpin' fast graphics card and you have a machine that can play Half-Life 2 on full resolution. The best games of the 21st century were released before Christmas this year, with 2005 bringing lots more to come. Broadband on the increase, DVD-R media and life might get less expensive if you are into computers and certainly a whole pile better.
Why not Linux? Well XP2 has the games and Linux not, so we can stop there. For speed on an OS, well Linux is a much faster, but XP2 is not bad on a system with half the ram of the above and a 1 GHz processor. If you are programming or doing fundamental computer work then do check out Linux because it might be what you need and learning Linux is like DOS with a bit of windows with all the free fundamental software you could want. Why not Apple? Well the same as above, but you have a better selection of stuff and to be honest multimedia applications work well on an apple, and why shouldn't they since Apple is industry standard for that kind of design work, so what does XP2 have to offer?
Obviously stability (not to be confused with security). XP2 is a very stable operating system. It is more stable than Windows 2000. For that reason, I made the upgrade. I have not found XP2 doing much annoying or something that I could not fix with Google. Installing is a big deal because you need Internet for verification; however it is fast on a high end system. There are obvious things you must do after you install it like download Firefox and use it instead of IE and try to use realplayer instead of mediaplayer, use Microsoft's AntiSpyware, don't use the firewall, use zonelarm free instead, spend on a good anti-virus software package, turn off the preview pane in Internet Outlook mail or try to find a free mail browser, make sure you get all the latest windows updates, careful what you put into your machine or extract, careful what mail you open, change passwords every week, and you can achieve a secure on-line machine that can do anything most computers can do right now with a company that has admitted that it has a security problem that will be addressed with future updates, but overall one should be impressed with the OS for stability, not speed or security, but for not crashing, as long as there are no hardware configuration conflicts, that do happen, get someone else to build your machine and blame them when it doesn't come together (and it wont come together because things are now cutting edge so get it done elsewhere; if your task bar hangs this is because of routers or USB hubs that are not compatible). The machine like the above is a 5 star experience but God help those who don't address security issues the moment they go on-line with it which is a bit like just driving your car off a cliff. Expect to loose everything to a virus and have your address details stolen with all your VISA card info.
XP2 PRO is 5 stars if you visit a place on the web called Gibson research incorporated, a highly respected individual in the security community who developed a way that people can test the vulnerability of their PC on-line. He developed a series of a security fixes for XP1 and XP2 problems. Bookmark that page and use it to have a somewhat secure and stable XP2.
Also remember, forget the HOME EDITION, go PRO.
Go to your computer mfr site for their recommendations FIRST July 21, 2005
G. Romer (San Jose, CA)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
The upgrade, per se, is fine. But, make sure you go to your computer manufacturer's website for their recommendations on prep actions to take. What you do first is more important than the running the XP Upgrade installation. In the case of my Compaq Presario 7000US, there was an upgrade preparation program there which would have helped me avoid hours of heartache and tears regarding the unstable XP which resulted. I think I finally got it worked out now but it has been painful.
- George
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