operating systems

**Daphne** · 02-27-2004, 07:08 PM

I know that the os I have is OLD!!! - windows 98. I really want to get XP but I can't afford to get a new computer right now so I'm wondering what advice anyone has on what I should do.

Should I purchase or download the XP OS from the internet or is it better to buy the CD and install it on my computer that way? What about getting the new software for word, excel, access, etc? What do you think my best options are for getting those? Thanks!

**voodidit** · 02-27-2004, 10:06 PM

You can go to the Windows site and they have a program that checks your computer to see if it is compatabile and capable of running XP before you buy it.

The next version of Windows is not coming out right now until 2006. I don't have any advice on the other stuff, I just use my Works programs for all that kind of stuff.

**Daphne** · 02-28-2004, 06:01 AM

Thanks! I'll check that out.

**MJsLady** · 02-28-2004, 08:02 AM

We have 98, 2000, me and xp.
XP is a hog! MJ has it on his machine and is sick of it, he and I went back to 98, which is actually faster than the others!
We are switching to a Linux system though. Faster runing, cheaper, no viruses, and no need to reregister if you upgrade your pc are just a few of the reason.
With XP everytime he has done something new, or had to redo his hard drive he had to call MS to reregister!
Fortunately for him, we did not buy our copy, he took a test on the MS website and they gave it to him. I forget how that came about now. I would not pay the cost for this program, it just is not worth it!
BTW 98 will run Office xp (we are using it until we are totally Linux ready)

**voodidit** · 02-28-2004, 10:13 PM

I have had no problems with XP, I love it, for me it is much faster than my 98 was.

**forestdale** · 02-29-2004, 01:18 AM

There's nothing wrong with 98 and XP is huge and takes up lots of space and memory. I have 7 computers and run either XP or 98 on all of them. I have a network that I run half on xp and half on 98. I find there is little difference between the two, except that XP has lots of lights and whistles.

With the installation, I'd buy the CD and install it myself and then log on to the Microsoft site and update all the new drivers that will be there.

Good luck!

**milach** · 03-04-2004, 04:02 PM

The other computer I had , had 98. This new one has XP and I really havn't had any problems with it. The only thing I've heard you really need to watch out for are the viruses that target XP. But I do find XP pretty neat, but I don't think I'd pay $100. for it- seeings I never had any issues with '98. I figure it's time to upgrade when they stop making new programs that run on 98.