WIN XP-SHOULD I SWITCH

[drillsgt]

presently I have Win ME and so far has been ok but has had its up/downs..matter of fact I have to leave PC on, Monitor off in fear of coming up with HD errors...anyhoo, have been pondering to make the switch to XP but have been hearing some real HORROR stories about problems with it, especially with SP2; even got word from HP software specialists that if I do make the switch, DON'T GET SP2! I guess eventually i'll be forced to get it but for now am holding back...any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[bjpatrick]

I have had ZERO problems with XP and with SP2. What the hell do you people do to your systems that cause so many problems. I would really like to know.

 

[drillsgt]

seems as if you're the exception rather than the rule...I've heard more nays than yeahs with SP2...I don't have it and was just sending out feelers!

 

[Jake_Barnes]

bjpatrick is right ... I was one of the 1st to install SP2 here, and have had zero problems ... it cleaned up an unstable SP1 system ... and those I know here at THG - and respect for their knowledge - generally are very supportive of SP2.


<b>FireFox 1.0.1: Works for me … You’re on your own …</b>

 

[Jake_Barnes]

Read this ... <A HREF="http://www.techsupportalert.com/firefox.htm" target="_new">If you are not using Windows XP, Microsoft has abandoned you</A>

The folks at Redmond have announced that the security enhancements to Internet Explorer offered in Windows XP SP2 will not be made available for any Windows operating system prior to XP. The intent is evident; they want everyone to upgrade to Windows XP. The Microsoft announcement will inevitably embolden hackers to target future attacks on IE to versions on non-XP PCs. So if you don't use Windows XP, this alone is sufficient reason to look for an alternative to Internet Explorer.

<b>FireFox 1.0.1: Works for me … You’re on your own …</b>

 

[palmerg]

I too have XP Pro SP2 on all my Windows machines. It is stable and I dare say represents the pinnacle of what MS has offered so far. As far as SP2 goes there was an initial ranting based on some problems with apps (can remember exactly) and what some considered an annoying trend of constanly asking you if you are sure that your security SW was really what you wanted to use (rather then their FW, AV and auto updates).
That said it has really been a good performer.
As to security, well don't take my word. <A HREF="http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~33~2735094,00.html?search=filter" target="_new"><b><i><font color=green>This recent article</font color=green></i></b></A> from the Denver Post shows how much more protection SP2 has over SP1 just on the surface. Of course Windows is still the most likley platform to be a target but SP2 will help and apparently it will help a lot.

My vote is switch to SP2 for sure or move to Free or Open BSD or Linux or if you are really paranoid just unplug it and read some books.

 

[Ned_Flanders]

SP2 is great. No problems on 3 machines I instlled it on.

______________
Read the friggin FAQ, and use the search button or I'll kick yer face in!

 

[Jake_Barnes]

Impressive report in the Denver Post.


<b>FireFox 1.0.1: Works for me … You’re on your own …</b>

 

[palmerg]

Yeah, it is a good test they ran. Honeynets in general are bleeding edge. You can learn a lot from them. They are difficult to set up to a degree and do require dedicated equipment so not everyone can play. Interesting about RH with 0 attacks! I thought so anyway.

 

[Zoron]

I've upgraded many machines to SP2 and I've only had a problem with one... probably because it was messed up to begin with. Upgraded my work and home computers even before it was available via Windows Update. I'd much rather have it than not have it.

<font color=red> If you design software that is fool-proof, only a fool will want to use it. </font color=red>

 

[dhlucke]

Go for it. It's 100x better than the pos os you're using.

<i><font color=red><A HREF="http://www.daveclarke.com/game.cfm" target="_new">Sex</A> is not an old woman's idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.</font color=red></i>

 

[_WW_]

The only problems I had when installing SP2 were with 3rd party software that wouldn't work with it...such as Easy CD Creator 5 and a few others like that. Once these programs were replaced with later versions everything has been ok.

....WW (5.0)

 

[Jake_Barnes]

If you do decide to go with XP ... try these tips: <A HREF="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html" target="_new">Optimize XP</A>


<b>FireFox 1.0.1: Works for me … You’re on your own …</b>

 

[RichPLS]

I have installed SP2 on 3 machines, and no problems. Infact, one machine I noticed performance increase.

<pre><font color=red>°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°`°¤o \\// o¤°`°¤o,¸¸¸,o¤°
And the sign says "You got to have a membership card to get inside" Huh
So I got me a pen and paper And I made up my own little sign</pre><p></font color=red>

 

[Codesmith]

I have had good luck with clean installs of XP SP2, but very bad luck when upgrading systems that have been running XP for over 2 years without a reinstall.

Only one issue, since upgrading I get audio stutters when emule is running and I am outputing AC3 via SPDIf.

With SP1a I could have emule running, and AutoGK taking up 90+% of my CPU (at idle priority) and still have perfect sound from my DivX movies?