Win2k or WinXP

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:55 pm

Well, I think I'm finally in need of an upgrade. I've been using Win98 since 2001 when I reformatted and reinstalled Win98. Up to the present time, this same current install of win98 has seen at least 3 mobo upgrades. Since I've been using it this long, I have tons of applications installed, and I don't look forward to a clean install.

I like Win2k because it's simple and has a smaller memory footprint, but XP has the latest drivers, and is able to handle a mobo swap better than Win2k.

I also plan to replace my aging mobo with a Asus P4PE that I picked up several months ago, with a 2.4 cpu.

So I replace my old mobo with win98, then I upgrade to Win2k or XP.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:07 pm

While I'm using 2KPro on my main rig at present time I've many times said I'm going to reformat and install XPro again. I'm much happier with it overall when I turn off all the bloatware. There are some features of Win2k I don't care for like the way that it shares files.. I can't seem to share the "whole" drive on the network, I actually have to share folders. But in XP I can share the whole drive.. There are other little things that bug me.. But I've not yet wanted to take the time to do the clean install.. lol.. I may try to do a dual boot in the future just to see how that goes.. GL with whatever you choose..

eGo

dadx2mj · Post by **dadx2mj** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:13 pm

I vote for clean install of XP with SP2. You can trim XP down with a little tweaking and make it look and feel just like 2K if that is what you want. Or you can use some of the features that 2K does not have. It is up to you, I like having the options. I have had no problems with SP2 and think you should have the latest security patches. Clean install will be better in the long run even if it is more work now.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 6:09 am

I'm tempted to go to Win2K on my laptop just to keep it clean and light, but on my main rig I'd prefer WinXP.

Fact is that XP is going to have better support for gaming than 2K. Also you can't beat XP's robustness (ability to recover from serious disk corruption, driver roll-back, repair installation, etc).

I've posted my tweaks for making WinXP look and feel like 2K, and for disabling unneeded features and services here:
http://www.pcabusers.net/forums/showthr ... tid=228535

Some people have recommended disabling System Restore, but I wouldn't. It's an invaluable feature. You can, however, disable system restore on selected partitions, which is what I do. I only leave system restore active on my boot partition, and the partition containing all my apps (except games). It's disabled on all other partitions.

As for clean versus upgrade, I'd strongly recommend a clean install. Upgrades work well but you'll be bringing a lot of old registry bloat from the old install. You're really better off with a clean install.

If you do a clean install might as well install SP2.

IMPORTANT: Both 2K and XP will IMMEDIATELY be infected my 2 or 3 viruses via security holes just as soon as the computer is connected to the Internet. I would recommend you DO NOT connect the computer physically to the Internet until AFTER you have installed the OS and TURNED ON XP's FIREWALL (or installed and turned on a 3rd party firewall in the case of Win2K).

These security holes will be fixes by Windows Update.

canton_kid · Post by **canton_kid** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:05 am

I'm thinking about trying XP myself, though I am happy with W2K still here.

It's getting to be a pain when I have to fix someones system now, most people have XP on newer systems and I have to hunt and search for things that are in "WRONG" locations by default. I know the settings are there somewhere but then I have to go looking for them. Doesn't look real good when the client is looking over your shoulder so I geuss I will play with XP myself.

As for sharing drives on a W2k network, I have not had any problems with that myself. Just go into Win explorer click on the drive go to properties and sharing and set it to share. Works for me, I think that's where the setting was. I got about 6 whole drives shared on 3 computers on the home network of 3 systems. More than that when counting the extra partitions, those have to be set same as drives. I never share only folders on my systems.

Thanks for the link and tips Fp, I'll look at those and most likely be using alot of them to set XP back to W2k style. What I've seen the little I had to work on XP systems I didn't like XP much.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:32 am

OK thanks for the info so far. I heard that SP2 has some problems with software, and can cause problems if you are a on line gamer. Is that true? As for XP's firewall, I rather not use it. I have a hardware router that seems to work just fine. Will I still be infected? What is the major advantage of using XP with SP2?

nexus_7 · Post by **nexus_7** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:03 pm

i have ran sp2 since day one of its final release and it has been great.

Im not a big fan of XP, but i use it on all my main rigs.

Greg

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 2:55 pm

At this point I see no problem installing SP2. Most compatibility problems have been addressed, it's corporate users that really need to avoid it right now.

Most of the bugs have been worked out. You don't NEED it (yet), although sooner or later it may be a requirement to get additional updates.

If you have SP2 you don't have to use the firewall.

Absolut Talent · Post by **Absolut Talent** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 4:04 pm

All of my systems (minus 1, fedora) run win2k for the last year atleast (dont know the correct timeframe) and I love it. I cannot get over the serious bloat of XP. Yes, I know I can disable the stuff to make it look and feel like win2k....but I dont want to waste 2 hours of my time just to get it to how it should look and act.

I have had no problems with the OS at all. All my games and programs work. No tweaking required.
And you can shout "Xp will have better features for ___________ and ____________" till your ass bleeds (

), but if the changes arent out...then they are just rumors or someones hopes and wishes and shouldnt draw your choice in favor of one or the other.

I will remain on win2k till I see it neccessary to change from my stable platform to something more bloated.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Sun Oct 10, 2004 11:12 am

Last week, I decided to go with XP Pro with sp1. I really did like win2k, but the ability to swap mobos, and the restore points ability of xp, outweiged the slim os of win2k.

I've been running xp now for a full week, and have had zero issues. I followed Flying Penguin's guide to strip some of the bloat from xp. Even my son, who runs xp, said I installed win2k. I had to show him in my computer that I'm actually running xp.

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