I have XP on a couple of lap tops that hardware wise won't take newer OS and I don't use except when I travel and that is strictly for mail and games like solitaire and jewel drop.
My desktop was up graded from 2000 to 7 and will remain 7.
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I have XP on a couple of lap tops that hardware wise won't take newer OS and I don't use except when I travel and that is strictly for mail and games like solitaire and jewel drop.
My desktop was up graded from 2000 to 7 and will remain 7.
Personally, I believe that XP is being killed because it isn't producing that good, new revenue for Microsoft. My belief is that XP was too good, something that people who had it didn't want to give up in order to install the bloated over-three-gigabytes operating systems that Windows 7 and Windows 8 are. Someone complained that the Updates for XP were too large. They aren't nearly as large as the big Updates that Windows 7 and 8 lay on you, not letting your computer shut down until the mammoth charges of code have been digested.
It seems that if XP is so bad, some of the hotshot Microsoft coders could set it aright pretty easily. But that wouldn't be the glitzy, really profitable way to do it. Better to starve it, kill it off, and sell something really costly!
While I'm here, I want to say that something called "Net Framework" seems to be a weak point in Windows, something that just about every MS Update has to concern itself with. It must be a huge subsystem within Windows because its updates go on FOREVER! Maybe it's time to generate something simpler, less prone to attack.
Windows XP is going to die, not because it is bad and irreparable, but because it's good but "ain't makin' no money, Honey!"
Changed to Windows 7 Pro along time ago from Vista. Vista actually worked well for me - not for others though. I had been using it for a long time on a computer and eventually all the usual Microsucks things happened - slowed down, programs disagreeing with each other, nothing unusual. I also use a lot of industrial applications from my work - CAD, PLC programming software and the like. Most of them are a PITA and I have to run many inside a virtual box because they do not release ports when shut down, spray rubbish all over the hard drive - you name it! Close down the virtual box - close down the whole program and leftovers!
Always had issues accumulating over a period of time even though I ran Diskeeper Pro to automatically defragment the hard drive all the time and PC Tools to clean thing sup (bought by Norton and discontinued - also a PITA) - typical of them.
Just bought a newey - really good Corei7 processor with some grunt, 16gigs RAM, mirror RAID hard drives for data and a 500gig solid state drive for the OS and programs. Really worth while upgrade with Windows 7 Pro x 64 bit - thing boots and closes down pretty darn quick. Only thing I am not happy with is the Radeon R7 200 video card - should have bought an nVidia card - oh well - can fix that.
Will still have to use a virtual box for a lot of stuff though - the one that comes with Windows is goos for some things and not others. You can also only have one of the windows boxes.
Get Windows 7 Pro x 64 bit - by a computer like the one I bought - you will be more than pleased.
I have a few pieces of legacy gear that I still use and that I don't see why I should stop using because Microsoft decided not to support them anymore. Talking about SCSI here.
I also have one piece of legacy gear whose manufacturer claims to have written Win7 drivers for, but the Win7 drivers don't work, whereas the XP drivers work just fine. And the device works just fine for what I need, so again, why should I replace it? Because of driver issues? Nope.
Further, just what is wrong with XP that it needs to be retired, I'd like to know? I use Win7 mostly these days, and yes, I like the Win7 interface a little better, but it's a matter of inches difference, not yards, and certainly not miles. (For you metric minded folks, think cm, m, km.)
Tell ya what, Win8 is the version I'm gonna skip, just like I skipped ME and Vista. I have no use for it, and I just plain don't like the interface. I have an iPad Air when I feel like doing the touch-screen thing. So I reckon I'll be using Win7 for as long as I've been using XP. And if MicroSloth doesn't like it, heck, I'll just move on over to Linux or maybe buy a used Mac. Or maybe both. ![]()
There is a lot of talk about upgrading from XP as though that is just an arbitrary decision with no real pluses or minuses except - what? The cost? No! I have been using Audacity for recording and editing audio signals and it is a wonderful program that works great. Except that Win 7 has their audio all screwed up and it is impossible to get audio to work properly. Win 7 is a living nightmare when it comes to audio. I blew out the audio on a Win 7 motherboard just trying to make it play sound. It's not just me, either. The support pages of Audacity are full of workarounds and tips and things to try to use Win 7 but I never found any way to make it work. So I bought a used XP computer which runs Audacity just fine and I only turn it on when I want to record or edit some sound. I imagine this will keep it working for years as it so rarely is connected to the internet. But keep in mind - not all OS's do all things. I wonder if anyone knows if Win 8 has the same problems as Win 7.
I used XP for a number of years on several different rigs. I finally up-graded to Windows 7 Pro and more recently to 8.1. when I started finding programs that wojuldn't run. The newer OS are so much better, faster and more reliable I find it hard to believe that any user would stick with XP. Granted there are very old hardware rigs out there still running that aren't able to handle the newer OS either because of limited hard drive space or very out dated components. As one of the posters mentioned, systems that old run the very real risk of motherboard board and drive failure -- people this stuff does wear out. Prices for desk and laptops have never been better with features and abilities we never dreamed of back in the day. Stop messing with XP and join the 21st century
Like others, I have legacy hardware and software that may not work well after XP. For one, I have set my wife and I up with used laptops I bought at our local schools surplus sales. The first laptop was a nice Dell Inspiron 4000 that were outdated when I bought them around 2005. I made sure to get several, at a ridiculous price of $8, so that I would have plenty of backup units. I did go through several for various reasons.
Several years ago now (2009), they offered HP NX5000's that we are now using. Nice upgrade for us. They have internal wireless which the Dell's didn't have. I must admit thought that I still like to power up the Dells. Matter of fact, I should "update" the OS on those. I have a dozen or so of these NX5000's for backups.
Through all of this came many HD's with which I am creating clones as I update the XP OS.
I also have a desktop that I personally keep upgrading, although it too, is still using XP Professional Pro using a 500GB drive with a 500GB clone if I loose the other. Unfortunately, as motherboards die I have seen loss of motherboard support for legacy gear which has made it fun, with my limited finances, to create work-arounds to maintain support.
The desktop supports an Epson R340 running through a print server so that the laptops can access it while that PC is off. The desktop also supports a Okidata 3200 laserjet. An HP Designjet 430 large format plotter is now plugged into the desktop via USB (motherboard does not support the legacy communication path) Also I upgraded the HP 430 to a 450C with help from the internet. The HP plotter was bought at one of the surplus sales several years ago for an outrageous price.
I can't say it has been all peaches and cream. I have spent many hours, and late night hours at that, searching the internet for problems that have arisen even to this day. The latest has been trying to determine why some NET Framework updates would not install. Another recent problem is to find out why I cannot install MS Office 2010 on my wife;s laptop while it is working fine on my laptop and the desktop. Also of note, I have Office 2000 and 2007 on the two laptops and the desktop. On the plus side, my wife is happy with Office 2000 and 2007 so it is not a pressing issue except for the fact that I want to solve the problem.
It helped that I was asked to manage the surplus sales as the self proclaimed guru. The real technology gurus at the school wouldn't "lower" themselves to work at the sale. This gave me an inside track to the technology being sold.
All this being said, I am now "completely" retired and no longer work for the school district thus I no longer have "good" access to the newer technologies.
Finally, I wish the best to all those that are struggling to remain with XP. Fortunately, I have been able to do so.
We currently have two desktop computers (both running Windows XP), three laptops (running Windows 7), and one netbook (running Ubuntu 12.04 LTS), and no plans to upgrade any of these machines. These computers work fine for what we use them for, and the mere fact that Microsoft would like to see everyone "upgrade" to Windows 8 (and is thus pulling support for XP and removing 7 from the market) isn't going to force our hand.
What is this urge to stick with XP??
If you're part of a corporation, then I understand. Back in 2001 I was with a medium sized company that still used Windows 95 rather than upgrade to the later Windows Millennium edition simply because of cost.
But if you're a private user, why stick with XP? I upgrade to Windows 7, I think early 2011, skipping Vista after touching it for a very short disastrous period. So I actually used XP for around 5 years, and I agree it was great.
But frankly Windows 7 Pro was an improvement: faster and less likely to hang. April-May 2013 I moved up to Windows 8 and very soon after that, 8.1 . That last move was necessary, 8 works but it's quite clunky compared to 8.1.
Frankly Windows 8.1 is out of sight compare to XP and it's quite a bit better than Windows 7, although I liked the solid feel of Windows 7 Pro. The only downside of Windows 8.1 is that you actually have to do an hour or so of study because it is different: considering that Windows itself is easily the largest piece of software on your computer, why would you NOT expect that?
I feel that anybody actually advising remaining with XP, either CAN'T BE BOTHERED to study 8.1 or has NEVER USED IT regularly. And before replying to this, bear in mind I've now used it for nine months!
...but not everyone does. Also, XP is just what some people prefer. What in the world is wrong with that? What is with the people who think that they have the right to tell other people what they need or should do? Recommend what you want to recommend, but stop trying to insult people who may not see things the way you do. It is stupid and unproductive.
And many then ask themselves "If I'm going to need to face a new learning curve for windows 8, why not instead devote the same to Linux and be free of Microsoft?" I've not regretted moving over to Linux at all. I'm posting this from Firefox browser in Linux Mint.
Figure about 15 minutes to move from 7 to 8. Not looking back as this combo (8 and Classic Shell) has been one of the best Windows I've used in years.
Bob
direct to Windows 8, bypassing Vista and Windows 7? They are going to be in for a shock.
I have kept XP running as necessary on several systems - even the newest ones I built (like last week). There is little need for most of the 'new capabilities' conferred by its replacements - though 7 seems to be (as has been the pattern at MS) a version of Vista that basically works.
Of course, I don't let it do what it is NOT suited for (like internet access) as I run it only as a VirtualBox client on my Ubuntu Linux machines. This is nearly ideal, as you get a modern 64-bit system with decent security and speed - and access to MS when you happen to need it. It would also make sense for people to run it on more up-to-date MS systems - also in a window. Keeping it going on legacy (ie - old) hardware also makes sense - just try to limit its exposure to the 'real' world... perhaps behind your home firewall?
I've got an XP deskside, a Win 7 deskside and a new Win 8 deskside that's still in the box, but not for long. I have some XP laptops, some Win 7 laptops, and 2 Win 8 laptops that I support for friends and family members. So yes and no, and I've already moved on, but not entirely.
Bob
...and I have no intention at this time of moving on to Windows 8. I still have my Windows XP OEM disk, though, and I will not get rid of it. I can use it for all kinds of cool experiments, like creating a Bart PE disk or an unattended Windows XP disk with all of the updates preinstalled. It could also be helpful if a friend needs a clean install and doesn't have the original disk available.
I have Win 7, I LOVE Win 7 and I will move on to Win 8 when they pry my cold, dead Win 7 installs from my machines! Win 7 install off my hard drives! I have three desktops, general use, business and gaming and three laptops, my wife's, my gaming laptop and my general use laptop. They all run Win 7 gladly. I have a customer that is an optician and I am updating all of his workstations in the office from old Dell machines to AMD FM2 machines that I am building for him and he insisted on Win 8 for operating systems. I could not talk him out of it and although the customer is "always" right well, some of the time, they always get what they want. They have not called to complain so I guess he is in the small minority that likes Win 8. They are out there, somewhere.....
The only sane solution is moving to WIN 7, preferably the PRO version.
Light learning curve, fast and safe.
I am going to be buying a new laptop this month, and I specifically selected one that has Windows 7 on it. Once I got used to it and found ways to tweak it to my liking, I really don't want to change.
I and I would guess many others have Dos programs & I don,t mean games
as industry became Automated in the 70s many of the machines used dos as their programming language
these machines still continue to function so we still need to program them XP does that.
windows 7 - 8 Can,t & were not going to junk a perfectly good machine just to please Microsoft.
Still in an old pc with xp t which i will discard...still have 4 with W7 which I hope MS will not cut off the support... I am not planning to update w8...I see pc & laptops of friends all the time with desasters...regardless of their knowledge of computing ... ![]()
I solved the dilema by creating a dual boot system. Windows 7 Home Prem is primary(default boot) and XP is secondary. I will continue to use XP for day to day word processing, photo work, games, etc. When I need to get on the internet it will mostly be through Win 7. Win 7 is probably the best OS that MS ever produced, once you take back some of the control that MS built into the system. What irritates me is that MS no longer sells Win 7 retail!! Of course you will be able to purchase it on Ebay, Craigslist, etc., for many years to come. Heck, you can still find full retail versions of Windows 98.
I have one laptop with XP. I keep it because I have a laser printer that HP nor Microsoft updated the driver to work with Windows 7. There was a driver for my Vista but it didn't always work well. I have a netbook and a desktop that use 7 and an android tablet. I like the 7, but not sure about 8.1. Haven't heard much good about it. I've had no problems printing from my 7 computers, the Vista or android to the laser via flash drives and the XP laptop.
I switched to Linux about 6 years ago but I still keep my WinXP in dual or multiboot because some of the software I have will only run under windows. So once in a while I still use it. I don't see a reason to change to a newer windows because my old software won't run there either,I am pretty sure. So it's still there and I really don't need support.
....virtualizing your XP into virtual box on your Linux computer. Upside is once it's done and fully updated with all service packs and security, you can save a copy of the virtual hard drive to a DVD and always have it to replace as a complete install and NEVER have to worry about activation again, so long as you always use the same settings in virtualbox program for it. In the not distant future this will be the only way as driver files for chips on motherboards no longer are issued for XP system. I have some old games in a virtual windows 98 SE system on a computer which windows 98 was unable to install to due to no driver files for that motherboard. When the hardware goes beyond the driver files supplied for XP, the only choice will be in virtual box or virtual machines. There it can "nest" very well.
1/ Main point I'd like to bring to your attention is energy efficiency : in stand-by my XP box and TFT screen use about as much energy as the Netbook working hard. When working, the XP box and TFT screen use more than the Vista and Windows 7 notebooks together - try any good power socket monitor if you want numbers for your own comparison.
2/ on keeping XP running:
Some software and some hardware would not install on my newer Windows 7 64-bit notebook.
One scanner's driver will install on Windows 7 basic, but that Netbook is rather limited compared to the 2003-vintage Windows XP box. Similarly, two pieces of software which I occasionally use could be installed on a Windows Vista 32-bit Notebook.
None of these require connectivity beyond what can be transferred on a USB thumbdrive.
So in a way I have a choice between keeping one large and old but fairly high spec Windows XP box running for as long as it does, or keeping two additional computers (one netbook, one notebook) for specific tasks. Looking at remaining screen brightness on the Vista Notebook and sluggish performance on the Windows 7 Netbook I decided to stick with the Windows XP box, which -as mentioned- for these specific tasks can stand alone.
3/ and finally, on to my limited experience with Linux : have over the past couple of weeks tried various Live Linux USB sticks : the speed is much better than Windows XP or Vista when surfing, even from a Live CD/ USB, but the two applications and the scanner do not have Linux versions. So for me, Linux is not the answer.
If you want to try Linux, the Fedora live USB creator worked with minimal input on my part, while some others required a couple of steps, or did not give instructions, or referred to a site where the Live Linux USB creator did not deliver a functioning Live version. Therefore as a first tip-toe in the water at this point I'd suggest the one mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph; once everything's working pick any other Distro which meets your requirements.
What I found missing in the comparisons of Linux Desktops is a rundown of the various main flavours : there are lots of minor differences between Gnome, KDE, LXDE, XFCE, MATE and Cinnamon - to name just a few. Think of some browsers missing the usual minimise/ maximise / restore up/down buttons, or a 'start menu' which lacks an obvious way so it opens sections on hover; then there was the lack of support for a non-US keyboard layout : on my UK notebook keyboard the " and the @ are swapped, and the # lives on the ~ key next to the } while the GBP-key is an 'uppercase 3'.
These points can undoubtedly be sorted once you decide to install the DVD version on your harddisk, but given that XP has not been on new machines for some five years, you'd probably want to consider energy efficiency and remaining lifespan of the old equipment.
I have a 7+ year old reliable eMachines desktop with Pentium 4 that has never had a problem since day 1. The hardware is incapable of supporting M$ Win 7/8 with their high ram requirement so I either have to:
1. Buy a new computer
2. Rebuild the one I have
3. Install a Linux OS
4. Keep running XP
This sucks. M$ has the power to force you to buy their new products and spend a lot of money you don't want to. For now I'm going to keep using XP and see how it goes.
for Linux you check out Mint and Kubuntu as good transitions for former windows users. Other popular ones are Zorin and SolydK. Mageia is now in 4th place for current interest, maybe due to the beauty of a woman's touch, the one who runs the distribution. You can also install Oracle's virtualbox directly from the repositories for Linux and run XP in a virtual machine, thereby instantly switching between whichever one you want to use at the time.
Except for Windows98 on my first computer (a Gateway, w/ the big CRT -- I remember the February day of an ice storm & the skinny elderly appearing UPS delivery man, balancing on ice while carrying the large boxes to my front door), Win XP was the only system I knew. Loyal to a fault, I would likely stay w/ Windows XP if it continued to be supported.
But time marches on. I will be sorry to see Windows XP go, but I have learned & am learning new things.
Am fortunate to have 2 machines w/ Windows XP. Upgraded the newer, more powerful one to Windows 7 Professional.
The older machine is not upgradable to Win 7. I plan to use it for storage & for a little bit of old stuff that is no longer available for download from the Internet nor would run on Windows 7. I also have it hooked to our sound system, so that I can record our cassette tapes to CDs. (The newer computer does not have a great audio input system as does the older one). I plan to upgrade the one audio program as needed by installing newer versions via thumb drive.
Finally, have just started self teaching myself Linux. I plan to install Ubuntu on the oldest machine after I try it Live. I may keep going & partition my newer computer's large hard drive to include Ubuntu and Windows 7.
Will I try any use of Win XP on old machine? Maybe -- if pressed. I have a great multi-license security product & use anti-malware/spyware scanner, among other security measures.
Is Windows 8 or beyond in store for my next computer (laptop) purchase? Very hard to say. A PA school recently purchased Acer laptops w/ Linux for their students, at a substantial savings to the school district. I may follow their example.
I am attached to my Sony ICD - P320 recorder will not work on Windows 7 and Sony will not make a driver for Windows 7.
I have a seldom used laptop running XP that I use exclusively to download digital audio from this recorder.
Hopefully some day I will find a way to use the recorder with my Windows 7 system.
R.Lamp