XP Pro to new machine

[Bill]

I currently have XP Pro installed on this machine, an upgrade version from
ME. I am thinking of getting an new Dell and am curious about 3 things:

1. Can I install the XP Pro upgrade I have on the new machine? This saves
$79.00 and this old machine will be no longer be used so I will not be using
XP Pro on 2 machines.

2. Is it worth the $79.00 to get the latest version of XP Pro with all the
updates etc.?

I currently have Version 5.1
(2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519: Service Pack2) - I installed SP 2 when it
came out

3. Is 512 mgb RAM enough? I don't do a lot of graphics, games, etc. OR -
should I go for 1 GB? Is this RAM a case of "more is better"?

TIA

Bill

 

[kurttrail]

I currently have XP Pro installed on this machine, an upgrade version
from ME. I am thinking of getting an new Dell and am curious about 3
things:

1. Can I install the XP Pro upgrade I have on the new machine? This
saves $79.00 and this old machine will be no longer be used so I will
not be using XP Pro on 2 machines.

Yes.

2. Is it worth the $79.00 to get the latest version of XP Pro with
all the updates etc.?

Definitely not.

I currently have Version 5.1
(2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519: Service Pack2) - I installed SP 2
when it came out

3. Is 512 mgb RAM enough? I don't do a lot of graphics, games, etc.
OR - should I go for 1 GB? Is this RAM a case of "more is better"?

Yes.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Bill]

kurttrail,

Thanks - I like being able to save money<G>

Bill

I currently have XP Pro installed on this machine, an upgrade version
from ME. I am thinking of getting an new Dell and am curious about 3
things:

1. Can I install the XP Pro upgrade I have on the new machine? This
saves $79.00 and this old machine will be no longer be used so I will
not be using XP Pro on 2 machines.

Yes.

2. Is it worth the $79.00 to get the latest version of XP Pro with
all the updates etc.?

Definitely not.

I currently have Version 5.1
(2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519: Service Pack2) - I installed SP 2
when it came out

3. Is 512 mgb RAM enough? I don't do a lot of graphics, games, etc.
OR - should I go for 1 GB? Is this RAM a case of "more is better"?

Yes.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Alias]

kurttrail,

Thanks - I like being able to save money<G>

Bill

Then don't buy a Dell and get a white box.

Alias

 

[kurttrail]

Then don't buy a Dell and get a white box.

Alias

Could do worse than a Dell. I don't build my own to save money, but to
get the components I actually want. For those using a computer as a
communications devise, Dell is a good choice.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Alias]

Could do worse than a Dell. I don't build my own to save money, but to
get the components I actually want. For those using a computer as a
communications devise, Dell is a good choice.

Of the major computers makers, you're right, Dell's the best. I would insist
on an XP CD without Dell's bundle on it and I would wipe the HD and clean
install XP before using it, however. I could live without the 30 day Norton,
Paint Shop, etc. trials being on my computer ...

 

[Bill]

Alias,

I agree about the not needing all the Dell installed bells, whistles, and
doodads. When I get the machine I'd up grade the XP home to Pro and go from
there - I believe a clean install should get me a fresh start. I have all
the software I use already.

Thanks for the reminder

Bill

Could do worse than a Dell. I don't build my own to save money, but to
get the components I actually want. For those using a computer as a
communications devise, Dell is a good choice.

Of the major computers makers, you're right, Dell's the best. I would insist
on an XP CD without Dell's bundle on it and I would wipe the HD and clean
install XP before using it, however. I could live without the 30 day Norton,
Paint Shop, etc. trials being on my computer ...

 

[R. McCarty]

My Uncle just bought a new Dell Dimension Desktop. As we were
unpacking it guess what - No more XP CD, just the Recovery set
on a hidden partition. They are still putting McAfee's Security Suite
on them. But it's no where near as hard to remove as Symantec.
Uninstalled the damn AOL & on the subsequent boot, had a couple
of BSOD's.

Runs O.K, just the traditional "Fluff" they add on and all kinds of Dell
accessories, support, et all.....Just an hour or so to De-Dellify it.
The one thing that they (Dell) have is the USB ports on the bottom
of the front panel, very awkward to reach without sitting on the floor.
Especially, when the base unit sits inside a computer desk/credenza.

Hard to compete with them on Hardware, a new desktop with a 16-X
DVD-RW, Flat panel 512-Megabytes & Wireless Keyboard/Mouse
for $680. And we caught them on the "No Shipping Charge" week.

 

[kurttrail]

My Uncle just bought a new Dell Dimension Desktop. As we were
unpacking it guess what - No more XP CD, just the Recovery set
on a hidden partition. <snip>

That's why I'd make sure they agree to send the real install CDs before
purchase. No install CDs, no sale.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[R. McCarty]

Normally Kurt - I'd agree with you, but we had his XP Home disk from
his old HP-"Pain-in-the-villion" upgrade. First Dell setup I've been
involved
with where no disk was included. Didn't matter anyway - we zonked the
recovery and made our own after tweaking the Dimension up. I really
can't see why not including an XP Disk is such a big cost savings. Suppose
it took 211 Dell Managers, 8723 meetings, 12, 585,412 Emails and a
few thousand Cell calls to decide on that one. (Coffee & Donuts not counted
- it's a Management perk and nobody's business).

 

[kurttrail]

Normally Kurt - I'd agree with you, but we had his XP Home disk from
his old HP-"Pain-in-the-villion" upgrade. First Dell setup I've been
involved
with where no disk was included. Didn't matter anyway - we zonked the
recovery and made our own after tweaking the Dimension up. I really
can't see why not including an XP Disk is such a big cost savings.
Suppose it took 211 Dell Managers, 8723 meetings, 12, 585,412 Emails
and a few thousand Cell calls to decide on that one. (Coffee & Donuts
not
counted - it's a Management perk and nobody's business).

LOL!

Yeah, It probably costs them more money to license the recovery software
then to print up the CDs!

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"

 

[Al Smith]

My Uncle just bought a new Dell Dimension Desktop. As we were

unpacking it guess what - No more XP CD, just the Recovery set
on a hidden partition.

There goes the last reason to buy a Dell.

 

[CS]

There goes the last reason to buy a Dell.

The Dimension desktops are on the low end of the Dell line. They're
(Dell) still providing full install CDs for the OS and software with
their more expensive models. Whether they continue to do so in the
future remains to be seen.

 

[Malke]

The Dimension desktops are on the low end of the Dell line. They're
(Dell) still providing full install CDs for the OS and software with
their more expensive models. Whether they continue to do so in the
future remains to be seen.

In response to that (and I *hate* that the OEM's are too cheap to even
provide a cd), I just bought a Dell Inspiron 6000 and it doesn't come
with an OS cd. It *does* come with a big notice about that and
instructions on how to make a physical recovery cd (very easy). This is
better than the HP's which don't even hint at this issue.

So the Moral Of The Story is: know what you are buying, read the manual
and other documents that come with your new computer, and make sure you
do whatever is necessary to create and/or safeguard the ability to
reinstall the system.

Malke