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Question

Windows xp using AMD Athlon(tm) processor

May 1, 2014 2:40AM PDT

I have an old desktop with Windows 2000 professional, 785M ram, 127 gig hard driven running with an AMD Athlon(tm) processor. I would like to reformat the hard drive and install Windows XP home edition on the computer. I own the OEM Windows XP and need to know if the AMD Athlon(tm) processor will work with Windows XP. If it will can I still update the freshly installed Windows XP to the latest service pack even though Microsoft does not support XP anymore?

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
When you say
May 1, 2014 2:51AM PDT

"I own the OEM Windows XP" , was this copy used on a different computer?

Digger

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Was this copy used on a different computer
May 1, 2014 9:24AM PDT

Yes it was but has not been a viable operating system for 18 months

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Good Luck
May 1, 2014 9:27AM PDT

with that

Digger

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Answer
change to xp
May 1, 2014 2:46AM PDT

First check with manufacturers website to see if there is driver support. Yes you can still get the old updates for xp. Beware of the new scams online offering to protect xp.

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Answer
It will update XP. However
May 1, 2014 2:48AM PDT

There are no more patches so that new IE issue means you would NEVER use IE (internet explorer) as Microsoft does not plan on issuing further patches.

There should be no issues with the CPU but I find most folk fail to find drivers for audio, video, ethernet or other parts of the PC. Being a seasoned Windows 2000 owner I bet you know that.
Bob

PS. Again, it will update. Again, there may never be any further security or other fixes. Much like that Windows 2000 exploit they left unpatched. That is, you would not expose Windows 2000 to the internet for that reason.

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That OEM XP
May 1, 2014 2:57AM PDT

I know some may sound the bells on that but Microsoft's activation will be sufficient to thwart trying to get around license issues. Being a seasoned Windows 2000 owner, I'd rather stay on topic of the questions. To which, I have yet to find XP balk at which CPU I used (unless I get into that 486SX or prior models.)
Bob

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That OEM XP
May 1, 2014 9:36AM PDT

Thanks Bob, that's exactly what I needed to know. I have all the licensing info on the OEM XP so that's not a problem. I might need to find the drivers for the mother board online from the model listed on the motherboard.

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Re: no new patches
May 1, 2014 6:25AM PDT
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Color me surprised.
May 1, 2014 6:30AM PDT

Thanks for the bit of good news.

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it will update XP
May 1, 2014 9:32AM PDT

I am the original owner of the computer and if I update it to XP I found a very reliable virus, malware, spyware software that stops all intrusions. But it will not work on 2000. I can get the motherboard info by opening up the case to get that. Just interested in if the processor will support XP. I cannot get any info on the processor on how fast it is.

Windows 2000 professional works great on the computer but I need XP to run a certain software for digitizing designs for our embroidery machines.

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"Stops all intrusions".
May 1, 2014 9:37AM PDT

Impossible.

Dafydd.

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Stops all intrusions
May 1, 2014 9:46AM PDT

OK, so nothing stops ALL intrusions. But the one I use is pretty darn good.

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OK.
May 1, 2014 9:54AM PDT

I wish you all the best in your quest, but it's 1am here and I'm off to bed.

Dafydd.

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properly setup firewall on router
May 1, 2014 1:06PM PDT

will do as much as AV, maybe more.

You can test vulnerability here.

https://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh0bkyd2

Shields Up! site, well known around internet.

Click on Proceed. You can test PNP, common ports, and all ports.

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We're waiting!
May 1, 2014 9:39AM PDT

I've yet to see today's anti software stop Conduit.

That's quite a claim you made!
Bob

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We're waiting
May 1, 2014 9:48AM PDT

Read above! I had to recant, there is nothing out there that will keep 100% out.

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Thanks for that. And
May 1, 2014 10:48AM PDT

Conduit is waltzing past almost all the protections. Some think it's because the antivirus companies were bullied.

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Avast still works on w2k
May 1, 2014 1:01PM PDT

unless they quit in the past 6 months.

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Answer
(NT) Yes and yes
May 1, 2014 6:15AM PDT
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yes and yes
May 1, 2014 9:37AM PDT

thank you

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Answer
It'll work
May 1, 2014 9:21AM PDT

It'll work, but it would be a very bad idea to install XP given that it will not be receiving any further updates. Linux or something actually being actively supported would be a much better choice.

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It'll work
May 1, 2014 9:42AM PDT

I need XP to run my protection software PCMRI and 2000 isn't working. I own XP all I have to do is make sure the other drivers can be found if necessary.

Thanks

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I don't follow
May 1, 2014 11:12PM PDT

I don't follow why you want to run a 12 year old OS, which is now at EOL status, meaning there will be no future security fixes past the one-off Microsoft just made, just so you can run some equally outdated AV software that will apparently not work with any later versions of Windows? So how exactly is this a good idea again?

If you had some legacy piece of specialty hardware or some poorly written, but sadly vital, program which would not play nicely with the API rule enforcements that started getting teeth with Vista... Maybe. I can also understand not wanting to try and run any newer OS on such an old CPU, which is why I suggested Linux. It runs quite well on older hardware, there's less need for a comprehensive AV suite like on Windows... Linux isn't a carte blanche check to do any stupid thing you want on the Internet, but you're afforded a little more of a safety net than Windows.

Since I haven't seen mention of either of these things anywhere in this thread, I'm left wondering why you would intentionally want to leave yourself open to who knows what, with the full knowledge that it will never be fixed.

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Look at where they are now. Windows 2000
May 2, 2014 12:05AM PDT

Which was left with a known exploit which meant you couldn't expose it directly on the internet. XP is a step forward but as you noted, it won't be long till Microsoft patches something and in the process reveals an exploit for XP.
Bob

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True
May 2, 2014 9:05AM PDT

True, but I'd again say if we were dealing with a situation where there's some legacy piece of hardware that is orphaned by its maker or maybe the maker went belly up a decade ago, that would be one thing. This is an entirely different thing where the OP seems intent on INTENTIONALLY inflicting themselves with this risk for no apparent reason. We're just trading one OS with probably a large number of exploits by now for one that will soon have a growing number of known exploits.

Microsoft is still releasing patches for XP Embedded and there are places that have paid MS for another year of patches for XP at a pretty significant premium, so it's probably only a matter of time before someone leaks those patches and someone can figure out what was fixed to get an idea of what to start attacking.

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How I dealt with that legacy hardware issue.
May 2, 2014 9:09AM PDT

I used XP Mode and Virtual box to use my old USB microscope for a very long time. The scope is dead so there went my last reason for XP.

I agree it seems a shame they are only going to XP but for a time it's better than 2000.
Bob

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Answer
XP should install.
May 14, 2014 3:26PM PDT

You should be able to activate it over the web or using your telephone. Before installing XP get the model number and manufacturer of your motherboard, graphics card etc. and download all the drivers. You may have to update the BIOS as well. Make sure that you get a good firewall and antivirus suite that will protect your files from unauthorised changes. Emsisoft anti-malware and Online Armor are good choices and they will support XP for the next two years.

During that period think about buying a new PC.

Regards

Zoe..