Windows XP

[tomcat]

What do folks (especially Ken) think of Windows XP, should we buy it or not? How will it wour with Ken's new and old stuff? Maybe we should wait for the first update?

[Bruce]

The old joke goes: At Ford, Quality is Job 1, at Microsoft, Quality is Job 1.1

I'd wait.

bruce

[Donnie]

From what I have heard, if you are planning to upgrade to XP, be sure you upgrade to the Professional version...some people compare Home XP to ME which is, in my opinion, a poor product and was probably developed to "bridge the gap" before they could roll XP.

All indications are that XP is very stable, and yes, all the programs from Ken run under it. One feature I like is that if your system locks up, you can close the offending program and continue on with your other work without having to close down and do a reboot!

I plan to do an upgrade sometime this next week.

[Rick]

I'm in the minority of WinXP users. I get program lockup after running about 4 hours. For me something called "SYSTEM" is being shown as using all available CPU Usage under Task Manager. Then everything comes to a crawl and then stop.

This does not appear to be a common problem and I haven't found anyone with the answer yet.

[Glen]

I upgraded to Windows ME and regret it. I learned my lesson, if it aint broke...no need to try to fix it. Maybe next year after XP has been out for a while I might upgrade. But next year they will have Windows XXP2002 and I will want to wait another year to upgrade to that thing.

[Eric]

It used to be that software was THOROUGHLY tested before it was unleashed on the public. Times have changed and it's my opinion that the public NOW has the priviledge of PAYING a software vendor to be a Beta tester. I can't speak from personal experience about XP (I'm still happily (well, for the most part happy) running "98") but if it's anything like prior Microsoft releases, I'd wait at least six months before considering an upgrade. Of course, if you buy a new machine, chances are it will come loaded with XP. My two cents. :-)

[Sam Thorp]

I would wait at least six months before undergoing the upgrade, while keeping an ear cocked to the cyberwaves for feedback .

[MikeDee]

I recommend that anyone thinking of upgrading to xp should follow this link and read about the experiences of Mr Fred Langa. Good even handed presentation how it went for him on 4 different PCs.

http://www.langa.com/newsletters/2001/2001-10-29.htm

I am with Glen on this one if it ain't broke don't fix it or at least wait for the the first couple of service pack upgrades.

[Donnie]

My son (13 years old) upgraded his PC with no problems...spinning like a top now, he reports. He reports zero problems. Hence, might be another conflict problem with whatever else is on the PC to begin with....dunno.

Just an FYI.

[Ken Massa]

Good question TomCat - I haven't upgraded to XP for all the reasons cited - and like most of you, have had enough problems with OS's in the past to want to stand pat during this first release of XP. I like the way Eric put it - we are paying Microsoft to find their bugs in the first release.

Rick and a few others have been testing XP with HTR programs for awhile though. The "Command Prompt" (aka DOS prompt) is available by clicking the Program/Accessories. DOS program icons, such as those for HTR will show up and run normally when the OS is upgraded. So the operation won't be inhibited as far as our little world is concerned, but with XP obviously very shaky in general operation - why risk it at the moment?

I have noticed that most of the new computers and laptops advertised lately include XP in the bundle, but it won't be on my Christmas wish list --- thanks to everyone here for all the good information and links on this issue.

[tbrown]

What is the deal with having to get Microsoft's permission to change your computer's set up or configuration? Heard a lot of conflicting versions oabout this, Fact or Urban Legend?
(Myself, I just went to W98 this year-I like to wait a long time for ole Bill to fix things)

[Eric]

According to ZDNET's David Coursey, Executive Editor, AnchorDesk, with respect to XP activation:

"If you buy a new computer with XP pre-installed, you will probably never be asked to activate the new machine or reactivate it when you, for some reason, need to reinstall the operating system. Upgraders, however, will be asked to activate the software either automatically over the Internet or via telephone. Then, if the software sees too many changes in your hardware--and thinks you might have moved the OS to a new machine--it will force you to reactivate, which may involve a telephone call to Microsoft."

His entire XP article can be found at:

http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2819063,00.html

[four m]

i know nothing about puters but a very reputable consumer friend in nyc on 770 am radio said he received a copy before it came to market and tested it. his opinion was to stay away for now (emphatically stated) something about (don't quote me) losing info and having to go to msft to use whatever, kinda like having the mkt. cornered. bottom line was buyer beware!