Sticky Computer Problem:

[Daave]

Had I to do over again I think I would have chosen XP professional
as it seems to have more features that XP home version doesn't.

AFAIK, XP Pro just has a few more features than XP Home (e.g., the
ability to join a domain, having up to ten simultaneous network
connections as opposed to five, and file encryption/IIS--to name a few).
What is it about XP Home that you feel doesn't meet your needs?

 

[Robert]

AFAIK, XP Pro just has a few more features than XP Home (e.g., the
ability to join a domain, having up to ten simultaneous network
connections as opposed to five, and file encryption/IIS--to name a few).
What is it about XP Home that you feel doesn't meet your needs?

Basically the abilty to do backup's versus system restore and file
encryption would be nice. I could be wrong of course. Also the
addition of Access which I understand comes with XP pro.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with XP Home edition. I think also
I would have opted for another CD drive versus the 3 1/2 inch disk
drive. Of course I realize I can always add one on.


Robert

 

[Daave]

Basically the abilty to do backup's versus system restore and file
encryption would be nice. I could be wrong of course. Also the
addition of Access which I understand comes with XP pro.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with XP Home edition. I think also
I would have opted for another CD drive versus the 3 1/2 inch disk
drive. Of course I realize I can always add one on.

I use NTBackup on XP Home with no problems. True, with an XP Pro
install, the executable is easier to find (it's part of the normal
installation). But even with XP Home, it's not that hard: you may find
it (ntbackup.msi) in the MSFT\ValueADD\Ntbackup folder on the
installation CD. Also you may find a copy of ntbackup.msi at
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software_download.htm .

If by Access, you mean the Microsoft Access database program, it does
not come with XP Pro (or any other OS). If you're looking for an
open-source, freeware alternative, you may want to look at the Open
Office suite:

http://www.openoffice.org/product/base.html (direct link for information
on "Base")

Finally, do you *really* need file encryption? If so, you may want to
have a look at AxCrypt:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/axcrypt/

Or TrueCrypt:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/truecrypt/

(both freeware)

Finally, you may find this thread of interest:

"Turn XP Home into XP Pro"
http://www.petri.co.il/forums/showthread.php?t=6868

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Basically the abilty to do backup's versus system restore

"Backups versus System Restore"? Backup shouldn't be thought of as an
alternative to System Restore. They are two different things, with
very different purposes. System Restore (which exists in both XP Home
and XP Professional) is meant to be a quick easy way to revert your
system (not your data) to the state it was in a day or a few days ago.
Effectively it's just an easy way to undo a recent change you made,
Backups are still needed, if you value your data, and that need is
identical whether you use XP Home or XP Professional.

The Windows Backup program comes with both Professional and Home. It
is installed automatically on XP Professional, but not on XP Home. If
you have the complete XP Home CD, find backup on the CD, in
\ValueAdd\MSFT\NTBACKUP and install it yourself by double clicking the
file ntbackup.msi.

If you don't have an XP CD, you can download ntbackup.msi at
http://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msi Also see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302894


However, in my view the Windows Ntbackup program is the least capable
of any backup program available, and I think it's worth acquiring an
alternative product, like Acronis TrueImage, my personal favorite.

and file
encryption would be nice. I could be wrong of course. Also the
addition of Access which I understand comes with XP pro.

No, it doesn't. Neither Windows XP, nor any other version of Windows,
has ever included Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, or any other
significant application software. Such programs have to be bought,
either by themselves or as part of Microsoft Office.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with XP Home edition.

It sounds to me like you would have seen practically no advantages if
you had opted for XP Professional instead. Very few home users do.

I think also
I would have opted for another CD drive versus the 3 1/2 inch disk
drive. Of course I realize I can always add one on.

Sure, no need for "versus." You can have both, assuming there's an
extra bay available. An extra CD drive, if you want one, is
inexpensive and easy to add.

 

[Rock]

Basically the abilty to do backup's versus system restore and file
encryption would be nice. I could be wrong of course. Also the
addition of Access which I understand comes with XP pro.
Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with XP Home edition. I think also
I would have opted for another CD drive versus the 3 1/2 inch disk
drive. Of course I realize I can always add one on.

Robert, others have replied about Ntbackup, System Restore and Access. With
respect to EFS (Encrypting File System) there are many gotchas with it, so
many that it has developed the moniker of the Delayed Recycle Bin. It's not
uncommon to get a post where the OP is asking for help because they can no
longer access encrypted files.

If you are really interested in encryption, I suggest looking at the free
look, TrueCrypt. http://www.truecrypt.org/

 

[Robert]

"Backups versus System Restore"? Backup shouldn't be thought of as an
alternative to System Restore. They are two different things, with
very different purposes. System Restore (which exists in both XP Home
and XP Professional) is meant to be a quick easy way to revert your
system (not your data) to the state it was in a day or a few days ago.
Effectively it's just an easy way to undo a recent change you made,
Backups are still needed, if you value your data, and that need is
identical whether you use XP Home or XP Professional.

The Windows Backup program comes with both Professional and Home. It
is installed automatically on XP Professional, but not on XP Home. If
you have the complete XP Home CD, find backup on the CD, in
\ValueAdd\MSFT\NTBACKUP and install it yourself by double clicking the
file ntbackup.msi.

If you don't have an XP CD, you can download ntbackup.msi athttp://www.onecomputerguy.com/software/ntbackup.msiAlso seehttp://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302894

However, in my view the Windows Ntbackup program is the least capable
of any backup program available, and I think it's worth acquiring an
alternative product, like Acronis TrueImage, my personal favorite.


No, it doesn't. Neither Windows XP, nor any other version of Windows,
has ever included Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, or any other
significant application software. Such programs have to be bought,
either by themselves or as part of Microsoft Office.

I find this very interesting since my XP Home Edition came with Excel,
and Word. I did not purchase this after the fact. I do appreciate all
the helpful information from everyone and I guess I was just mistaken
about XP Professional as I thought it had many more features than the
Home Edition.

Robert

 

[Daave]

I find this very interesting since my XP Home Edition came with Excel,
and Word. I did not purchase this after the fact. I do appreciate all
the helpful information from everyone and I guess I was just mistaken
about XP Professional as I thought it had many more features than the
Home Edition.

You are mistaken.

What probably happened is that the *PC* you purchased came with Excel
and Word (which you paid for, whether or not you realized it). Microsoft
Office applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook
are not part of any Microsoft OS package; they are separate and cost
extra.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On May 23, 10:34 am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
I find this very interesting since my XP Home Edition came with Excel,
and Word. I did not purchase this after the fact.

Let me clarify that for you. Your XP Home Edition did *not* come with
Excel and Word. The computer you bought came from an OEM who sold you
a computer that came bundled with Windows XP *and* Excel and Word.

I do appreciate all
the helpful information from everyone and I guess I was just mistaken
about XP Professional as I thought it had many more features than the
Home Edition.

It does have extra features, but they are extra features that are
largely useless for *most* (but not all) home users.