XP Performance

[Russell Spicer]

Hi

Can anyone tell me how well Windows XP will run on a PC with the following
Specification. This machine currently runs Windows 2000, I am thinking of
upgrading.

The spec is:
PIII 500
384Mb RAM
3Dfx Voodoo 3 16Mb (will this card be supported with OpenGL as well?)
27Gb HardDisk space in total over 2 drives
CD-ROM Drive
32x CD/Writer & DVD Drive (Combo)
DVD Hardware playback card
10/100 Network
56K Modem

This PC runs Windows 2000 rather well, it is quite quick compared to Windows
Me that was on before. The only problem I have with it, is it takes ages to
boot up.

Your opinions will be appreciated.

Regards
Russell

 

[R. McCarty]

With a P3 500, you are probably using a BX440 chipset.
Make sure that your BIOS is updated to the latest revision.
Also, check that your motherboard "Fully" supports ACPI,
as XP will select ACPI for your HAL.
The only problem I can see is driver support for your 3dfx
card, but everything else looks O.K. Since XP is essentially
an evolution of 2000 you should be alright.

 

[Bill]

Your machine's specs sound like they would run it well, you might want to
run the XP Upgrade advisor though just to be sure. HTH

 

[Bill]

Oh yes and as long as your video card supports OpenGL and you get updated
drivers for it then OpenGL will be supported.

 

[Russell Spicer]

R McCarthy

Many thanks for your reply. My only question is what does ACPI stand for?

Thanks
Russell

 

[R. McCarty]

Windows XP supports multiple Hardware Abstraction Layers.
Essentially, these are core (Kernel) components that effect how
XP operates. ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power
Interface) is the latest type of sub-system control specifications.
Previous standards apply to APM (Advanced Power Mgmt),
and XP in that case uses a "Standard PC" HAL.
Some BIOS's will report that they are ACPI compliant but
will not function correctly using the ACPI HAL. This normally
accounts for PC's that will not shut down/off correctly.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

Hi

Can anyone tell me how well Windows XP will run on a PC with the
following Specification. This machine currently runs Windows 2000, I
am thinking of upgrading.

The spec is:
PIII 500
384Mb RAM
3Dfx Voodoo 3 16Mb (will this card be supported with OpenGL as well?)
27Gb HardDisk space in total over 2 drives
CD-ROM Drive
32x CD/Writer & DVD Drive (Combo)
DVD Hardware playback card
10/100 Network
56K Modem

This PC runs Windows 2000 rather well, it is quite quick compared to
Windows Me that was on before. The only problem I have with it, is it
takes ages to boot up.

It should run XP fine. But it's always a good idea to first run
the Microsoft Upgrade Advisor at
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp

 

[Sherlock]

thank you all for you Input.
in light of the possible graphics card issue. I am thinking of buying
another one, a nVidia GeForce Fx 5200 to be precise. This card I know works
with Windows XP, but I would like some assistance with AGP. It says on the
spec that the card is AGP x8. I am imagining that my machine is not AGP x8,
but probably AGP x1. Would this card function in my machine.

Many thanks in advance
russell

 

[Alex Nichol]

With a P3 500, you are probably using a BX440 chipset.
Make sure that your BIOS is updated to the latest revision.
Also, check that your motherboard "Fully" supports ACPI,
as XP will select ACPI for your HAL.

A point there - if during setup, when it asks 'hit F6 to install special
drivers', you hit F7, nothing will appear to happen but it will be
installed with APM instead of ACPI - there will be a need to enable APM
in Power Options and get an ATX board to power off at shutdown, but on a
desktop machine there is not much lost