Has anyone heard of "OS specific" hardware?

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Chris,

Yes, many boxes these days are quite proprietary in nature. First off, many
computers *do* come with XP Pro already installed. That being the case,
many of your large vendors modify the basic Windows platform to suit their
specific needs. Special drivers to go with their special hardware at
times. They might also add things to the basic Windows Help files, to help
the owner with problems that may arise with that specific model, along with
special support for that model.

In many cases things aren't so proprietary. I my experience, I'm running a
Compaq desktop circa 2000, that came with Windows 98SE pre-installed. I'm
am running a retail version of XP pro, with no problems whatsoever.

Caveat Emptor !

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Howdy all. I was looking into buying a new system and have a couple
questions. I have requirements for WinXPPro (I have my own full install CD),
and most boxes these days come pre-canned with XP Home or Media Center.
Anyways, my plan was to buy a box, reformat the hard drive, and install XP
Pro. But the guy at the computer store said that the box I was looking at
was "built to use Media Center", and that if I proceeded with my plan I
could have a lot of issues with device drivers.

A little, yes; you'd most likely have to download and install them
manually, rather than using the Recovery method provided.

Not only would I not have
them installed by default, ...

True enough....

but that I wouldn't be able to install them
because the hardware wouldn't be compatible with the software?

Either a deliberate lie, or that salesman would be better suited for
flipping hamburgers somewhere.

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

It's true that WinXP MCE is designed to require a higher caliber of
video and (sometimes) audio adapters, but any devices (and their
respective drivers) that work for MCE will also work for WinXP Pro.
After all, WinXP Media Center Edition is a _superset_ (iow, it does
_everything_ WinXP Pro can do (except join a domain), plus contains
additional multi-media features) of WinXP Pro.

Otherwise, WinXP Home, WinXP Pro (32-bit), and WinXP MCE are
_identical_ when it comes to performance, stability, and device driver
and software application compatibility, but are intended to meet
different functionality, networking, security, and ease-of-use needs, in
different environments.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell

 

[Jerry]

I'd build my own. Buy all the stuff I want for my needs and forgot those
store bought monstrosities.

 

[ChrisR]

Howdy all. I was looking into buying a new system and have a couple
questions. I have requirements for WinXPPro (I have my own full install CD),
and most boxes these days come pre-canned with XP Home or Media Center.
Anyways, my plan was to buy a box, reformat the hard drive, and install XP
Pro. But the guy at the computer store said that the box I was looking at
was "built to use Media Center", and that if I proceeded with my plan I
could have a lot of issues with device drivers. Not only would I not have
them installed by default, but that I wouldn't be able to install them
because the hardware wouldn't be compatible with the software?

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

My gut tells me this is nonsense. However, Im a DBA, not a hardware guy, so
I could be out in fantasy land and thought I'd ask the experts.

TIA, ChrisR

 

[MDaniel]

XP uses the same drivers whether its Home, Pro, or MCE. I like Dell
because I can consistantly get drivers off their web page with ease. HP
is hit or miss. One model will have everything, another will have a lone
BIOS update or keyboard driver patch.

 

[Pennywise]

Howdy all. I was looking into buying a new system and have a couple
questions. I have requirements for WinXPPro (I have my own full install CD),
and most boxes these days come pre-canned with XP Home or Media Center.
Anyways, my plan was to buy a box, reformat the hard drive, and install XP
Pro. But the guy at the computer store said that the box I was looking at
was "built to use Media Center", and that if I proceeded with my plan I
could have a lot of issues with device drivers. Not only would I not have
them installed by default, but that I wouldn't be able to install them
because the hardware wouldn't be compatible with the software?

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

My gut tells me this is nonsense. However, Im a DBA, not a hardware guy, so
I could be out in fantasy land and thought I'd ask the experts.

I got one of those, I can't find a sound driver that works with Linux.

If you purchase this computer the first thing you should do is run
everest http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html find out what's in
it and download all the drivers for it -

 

[Paul Johnson]

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

In this case, it was a matter of the opposite happening. The hardware spec
came down first and Microsoft built what amounts to a DRM-crippled Freevo
kit for the hardware: Hardware-specific OS.

 

[Guest]

Main issues are that:

1. Media Center is probably preinstalled.

2. There may be no driver discs.

3. If you're unlucky, the preinstall also contains hard-to-remove
promotional junk.

So, whatever OS you intend to use, you probably end up scouring the 'net for
drivers. That's the way new PCs are today. Dell are the worst in this
respect, HP are only slightly better.

http://genuinewindows.co.uk (Just started recently so database not populated
yet)

 

[Alias]

Howdy all. I was looking into buying a new system and have a couple
questions. I have requirements for WinXPPro (I have my own full install CD),
and most boxes these days come pre-canned with XP Home or Media Center.
Anyways, my plan was to buy a box, reformat the hard drive, and install XP
Pro. But the guy at the computer store said that the box I was looking at
was "built to use Media Center", and that if I proceeded with my plan I
could have a lot of issues with device drivers. Not only would I not have
them installed by default, but that I wouldn't be able to install them
because the hardware wouldn't be compatible with the software?

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

My gut tells me this is nonsense. However, Im a DBA, not a hardware guy, so
I could be out in fantasy land and thought I'd ask the experts.

TIA, ChrisR

Go to a small computer store that builds white boxes and tell them to
install your copy of XP Pro on it. Either that, or build your own. HP,
Dell, etc. put a lot of junk on your computer that you don't need to
have running.

Alias

 

[ChrisR]

To buy a box with XP Pro already installed means extra $$$. Buying with
whatever OS comes with it, and using the Install disk I already have is
free.

Thanks!

 

[ChrisR]

If I understand this, I may in fact have to do some downloading, but I
should be able to match hardware and software through a little digging?

A little, yes; you'd most likely have to download and install them
manually, rather than using the Recovery method provided.




True enough....




Either a deliberate lie, or that salesman would be better suited for
flipping hamburgers somewhere.




It's true that WinXP MCE is designed to require a higher caliber of
video and (sometimes) audio adapters, but any devices (and their
respective drivers) that work for MCE will also work for WinXP Pro.
After all, WinXP Media Center Edition is a _superset_ (iow, it does
_everything_ WinXP Pro can do (except join a domain), plus contains
additional multi-media features) of WinXP Pro.

Otherwise, WinXP Home, WinXP Pro (32-bit), and WinXP MCE are
_identical_ when it comes to performance, stability, and device driver
and software application compatibility, but are intended to meet
different functionality, networking, security, and ease-of-use needs, in
different environments.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand

Russell

 

[ChrisR]

I may look into that. Thanks for the idea!

I'd build my own. Buy all the stuff I want for my needs and forgot those
store bought monstrosities.

 

[ChrisR]

Do you mean Dell is the worst for driver availability?

 

[Alias]

Someone else mentioned that too. I did go to one, but the price was
outrageous, and the warranty was for a shorter dureation.

Obviously you don't want that one. Keep trying. There are shops that
will do it cheaper than Dell or HP.

Alias

 

[ChrisR]

Someone else mentioned that too. I did go to one, but the price was
outrageous, and the warranty was for a shorter dureation.

 

[Paul Johnson]

To buy a box with XP Pro already installed means extra $$$. Buying with
whatever OS comes with it, and using the Install disk I already have is
free.

Remember that each computer you install on needs to have it's own CD key,
which comes on the sticker that you get when you buy Windows...if you only
have one key, you can only install it on one computer.

 

[Ron Martell]

Howdy all. I was looking into buying a new system and have a couple
questions. I have requirements for WinXPPro (I have my own full install CD),
and most boxes these days come pre-canned with XP Home or Media Center.
Anyways, my plan was to buy a box, reformat the hard drive, and install XP
Pro. But the guy at the computer store said that the box I was looking at
was "built to use Media Center", and that if I proceeded with my plan I
could have a lot of issues with device drivers. Not only would I not have
them installed by default, but that I wouldn't be able to install them
because the hardware wouldn't be compatible with the software?

The box I was looking at is an HP, but Dell is another option. So, are
computers these days really built for sprecific OS's?

With the Media Center edition of Windows XP this is true Because of
the enhanced multimedia capabilities of this edition many computers
that come with it include hardware items such as TV tuners that are
not supported in the Home or Pro editions.

Are you aware that the Media Center edition is based on XP Pro, and
includes pretty much all of the functionality of XP Pro except for the
ability to join a Windows Server Domain.

So if your requirements for XP Pro do not include the need to join a
domain then you may find that the Media Center edition meets your
requirements.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Ron Martell]

Obviously you don't want that one. Keep trying. There are shops that
will do it cheaper than Dell or HP.

Not too many, at the prices that Dell and HP are charging these days.

I have recently shut down the computer sales part of my business, and
now just do service, repair, and support work. My sales are pretty
much confined to replacement parts only.

With complete systems, including monitor, printer, and Windows license
retailing for under $500 there is just no way a small operator can
survive.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[R. McCarty]

The only market segment where a small business can kick Dell
in the motherboard is customization. For most customers who
want advice on what to buy it's still the buy it from Dell and let
me "De-Dell-ify it for you". I still get a few orders for custom or
highly specialized computers.
Just this morning, I sorted out a new Dell Inspiron notebook.
Said to say it came with that damn Norton Internet Security loaded
up on it along with it's evil twin-brother - AOL.

 

[R. McCarty]

Substitute Sad for "Said" - Eyeglasses broken...so more
spelling/context errors likely until new spectacles arrive.