Do I want Windows XP? - if so Home or Pro?

[Gareth J M Saunders]

I'm just about to upgrade my PC from an AMD K6-2 500MHz to something like an
AMD Athlon XP 2800. I'll probably go for something from NetHighStreet
(http://www.nethighstreet.co.uk) and I want to hear folks advice on
operating systems. I am currently using Windows 98se, which I really like.
In your opinion should I upgrade to Windows XP? and if so why, and XP Home
or XP Professional? Can anyone point me to some good info comparing these?

TIA

Gareth
Edinburgh

 

[Nicholas]

Windows XP Comparison Guide
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/choosing2.asp

Which Edition Is Right for You?
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp


Before upgrading any existing Windows installation, it would be prudent to
run the Upgrade Advisor for Windows XP. This tool will report what hardware
or software may be incompatible with Windows XP. If you follow the Upgrade
Advisor's recommendations, you should not have any problem upgrading to
Windows XP.

If you fail to utilize the Upgrade Advisor, you may run into incompatibility issues.
Just inserting the Windows XP Upgrade CD in the CD Drive and selecting
"upgrade" is not going to give you the desired result. You must "prepare and
plan" your computer before beginning the upgrade process.

Windows XP Upgrade Advisor
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307726

It is imperative that you have the latest BIOS update installed. Visit the support
website of the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard for instructions
on updating your computer's BIOS.

Accessing Motherboard BIOS
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or
Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;316639

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm


Also, physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware devices,
especially USB devices (not including your mouse, keyboard or
monitor). Uninstall any antivirus program, too!

Most importantly, it would be prudent to perform a backup of
any data files you have, just in case a problem should occur.

Important: When you are ready to upgrade to Windows XP,
make sure to select the default "Upgrade" option
during the initial setup phase. Do not select the
alternative "New Installation" option!

P.S. Be sure and visit the Windows Update site and download
all the critical updates after upgrading to Windows XP.


--
Nicholas

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| I'm just about to upgrade my PC from an AMD K6-2 500MHz to something like an
| AMD Athlon XP 2800. I'll probably go for something from NetHighStreet
| (http://www.nethighstreet.co.uk) and I want to hear folks advice on
| operating systems. I am currently using Windows 98se, which I really like.
| In your opinion should I upgrade to Windows XP? and if so why, and XP Home
| or XP Professional? Can anyone point me to some good info comparing these?
|
| TIA
|
| Gareth
| Edinburgh
|
|

 

[Rob Schneider]

I'm just about to upgrade my PC from an AMD K6-2 500MHz to something like an
AMD Athlon XP 2800. I'll probably go for something from NetHighStreet
(http://www.nethighstreet.co.uk) and I want to hear folks advice on
operating systems. I am currently using Windows 98se, which I really like.
In your opinion should I upgrade to Windows XP? and if so why, and XP Home
or XP Professional? Can anyone point me to some good info comparing these?

TIA

Gareth
Edinburgh

Gareth,

Start with reading the information at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/whichxp.asp.

Basically ... use Home unless you have a compelling reason to use Pro.

You can also check out the Windows XP books at Waterstones on Princes
Street to get more details ... enjoy.

 

[Shootist]

I have a laptop with XP Home and a desktop with XP Pro. They are the same
except for networking, security features and group policies and maybe 1 or 2
other things. If I had to order a new PC today, after using both Home & Pro,
I would get Pro hands down.

 

[Gareth J M Saunders]

Thanks chaps,

I'm currently looking at a system from NetHighStreet in Birmingham for
£1014.03, with the following:

AMD Athlon XP 2800
1GB RAM
120 GB 7200rpm HD
GeForce 5600 256MB Graphics Card
DVD ReWriter
SoundBlaster Audigy 2
Creative 5300 Inspire 5.1 speakers
Windows XP Pro

to which I'll add my 17" CRT monitor, MS Keyboard and Mouse, and a Sony 52x
CDRW, and 40GB HD, as well as a better 10/100 LAN card.

Thanks for the links, and other advice. I am tending towards thinking that
I'll opt for XP Pro, for the improved networking bits and pieces (and IIS
5.1).

Gareth
Edinburgh

p.s. Borders at Kinnaird has a WONDERFUL selection of books on computing,
more so than Waterstones on Princes Street.

 

[Muzzy]

Seems a bit heavy to me - price-wise that is [ even with a DVD re-writer and
the VGA card mentioned] but especially as you are not getting a monitor or
any of the other bits and pieces you mention thrown in.
Of course it depends a lot also on the other component parts - especially
the motherboard. Why not verify the M/B's make & model first? I'd lso
suggest that you check out how upgradeable it is.
For that sort of price I'd be looking at something a bit above *entry
level*.

Regards
Muzzy

 

[Ron Martell]

"Gareth J M Saunders" <[email protected]>
wrote:

Thanks for the links, and other advice. I am tending towards thinking that
I'll opt for XP Pro, for the improved networking bits and pieces (and IIS
5.1).

The networking in XP Pro is no better in terms of performance or
reliability than that in XP Home. The differences are in the features
and functions that are found only in XP Pro, such as the ability to
log into an NT/2000/2003 Server Domain, IIS, and others.


Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"The reason computer chips are so small is computers don't eat much."

 

[Alex Nichol]

I'm just about to upgrade my PC from an AMD K6-2 500MHz to something like an
AMD Athlon XP 2800. I'll probably go for something from NetHighStreet
(http://www.nethighstreet.co.uk) and I want to hear folks advice on
operating systems. I am currently using Windows 98se, which I really like.
In your opinion should I upgrade to Windows XP? and if so why, and XP Home
or XP Professional?

If you are going in for a new machine at this level, you should move up
to XP: it will not be long before software that comes out will be
unable to run on 98 (support for Win98 from Microsoft is about to end),
and there are developments in the system itself which make it worth
while. There is probably no need at all for you to choose Pro rather
than Home. The systems are identical, apart from some extras in Pro
which are really oriented to business networks. See
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp
for a good description of these.

You may be tempted when you get XP to grab the life line of 'Classic'
modes all around - I would suggest giving it a fair chance to let the
revised interface grow on you. You can well, however turn off several
of he items of 'eye-candy' in the System - Performance settings - Visual
effects area, and choose to use the Classic rather than XP search
interface

 

[Rob Schneider]

Yep. Kinnaird is better. Harder to get to. Glasgow's Borders is even
bigger.