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Windows XP |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration 
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I have heard nothing but good about this so far. A company i used to formally work for (and have been contracting with for over a year now) updated their entire system with it. Uhmm... any other comments? It makes me nervous to hear nothing but good about a product... especially a Microsoft one.  |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
From a technical standpoint, XP is what Win2000 probably should have been in the first place. Stable. Faster. More robust. I find most of the new features a bit silly, but that's a personal take and a fairly minor gripe. Most of the complaints I've heard about XP center, not on its technical merits, but rather on its social implications. For example, here's an article about the XP Media Player, which tracks the CDs and DVDs you use and sends a report to one of Microsoft's web servers. Excuse me? A friend of mine installed XP a few weeks ago and told me he found four individual programs that try to connect to the Internet every time he boots. I'm not a paranoid person by nature, but think Microsoft is definitely raising the specter of Big Brother here. If you don't mind spending the time to educate yourself and then some more time undoing what MS set in motion, I think most of their privacy-violating hooks can be removed. The forum participants at TweakXP.com seem to have a fix for just about all the problems. They also have a lot of good info on making XP faster and easier to use. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
i remember now hearing something along these lines now that i've read this article... it concerns me as well, not just that they're doing, but that i'm afraid that by buying the software, we're allowing it to happen... hmm thanks ron for the link, a lot to ponder |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Seems like the logical spot for HELP??? In using my Windows XP today, my Search Companion bugged out on me [somehow, someway. I have added nothing new, nor gone anywhere but into Word, E-mail and here!] Here's the scenario. I'm in my HP pavilion mx 70 computer. All things are working fine. I have e-mail open. I'm on IE. I'm in Word. I go to Start, My Computer, Owners Documents, my folder "Karilea" that contains my files on poetry, And in the left column I see "File and Folder Tasks", "other places" and "details" and in the right column I have my various folders. I want to do a "search" and hit on the magnifying glass "search". What comes up is... "A file that is required to run Search Companion cannot be found. You may need to run setup. [Then there is the OK button]" Ok. Where do I go from here? I cannot seem to find "setup" in my search through "Start" under "Owner" and under "accessories." Chris? Ron? Please??? I've got 1500 poetry files and use my search on key words to find something I want to tweak. I've worked on this all day. I'm begging....before I pull the cords out of the wall.... |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
at a loss here Kari - i know they changed the way they worked the help files in XP... but i have no exp with it myself yet... have you tried the forums Ron listed above? |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Click: Start Search For Files or Folders Choose Documents Click on Advanced Search Type in a word or phrase this is just another way to search the way you have been. If it doesn't work. Gently back out of all your open programs and reboot the computer. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
I have XP by the way. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp You should check at this link for updates...I find one a month that I need. And some of them are critical... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
My search neither works through "Start" nor through My Computer. I just downloaded all the updates. Rebooted. Nada. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
quote: Setup is on the XP Install CD. Your computer is trying to tell you that a component either wasn't originally installed (unlikely) or has turned up missing or corrupt. It wants you to reinstall, so it can add the necessary component. With earlier versions of Windows, this has always been "fairly" safe. Follow the correct sequence of prompts, and it will only load what is needed, not actually do a full install (which has the real danger of forcing you to reconfigure everything). However, unlike Sharon, I don't have XP and can't tell you what that correct sequence will be. All you can do is try it and see if the prompts make sense to you (they typically do on older Win versions). You can also run setup.exe from the Command Prompt, with command line parameters that make it safer. Depends on how comfortable you feel working in DOS mode? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I'll try the setup.exe [as opposed to the way they have it set up through Add/Delete hardware... it's the only thing I HAVEN'T done yet... but...soon.... I'm clicking off for the night....I've been all day at this...with the exception of the fun I had in SM.... thanks everyone! [I'll be back!] [This message has been edited by Sunshine (03-30-2002 10:59 PM).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ron, the setup "CD" was internal in this newer program. I typed in setup.exe from the Start/Run command, and it told me to go directly to "Control Panel to install and configure systems component". I've run the setup through that function. I've restored to a month previous. I've grown gray hairs. I still have no "Search Companion" function. I will now quit trying to fix it on my own and go directly to HP and see if they can fix this. I have no idea what caused this to either be removed from the set up...as stated above, the "file" for this is simply not found. Sharon, have you ever run across this problem? What is strange is that I frequently use this system and for it to just stop w/out my having added or deleted something is just downright strange. But I thank you all for your support and assistance! |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Never had this problem. The system actually runs good for me after my initial problems. I still go to http://www.tweakxp.com from time to time to read about issues the others are having. Last night I went looking for a problem such as yours, didn't find it, but DID find out that I have the ability to fax from this computer but it wasn't set up...so I did!!  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ok, I went to Annoyances.org and posted a query there...this is my first real problem with XP, Sharon, so yikes! But thanks for the "tweak"...I'll check it out as well! Happy Easter! |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
A Google search for "lost xp search companion" turned up this interesting discussion: http://pub36.ezboard.com/funofficialsonyfrm7.showMessage?topicID=149.topic ... seems to be a fairly common problem. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I found this particularly interesting: quote: No kidding. I had srchasst.Pnf [not .inf] We're still working on it. This is the link we are currently in: http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/cposupport/printerfriendly.cgi?in=personal_computing/support_doc/bph07514 It looks like we will have to unplug everything and start all over again as if new from the factory. At least, that's the way I read it. Before I do so, if you can give me two cents of your time [more like $100.00] and tell me, "Yes, Karilea, you WILL have to back up all of your files before unplugging everything because you WILL lose everything if you don't," I can wait for that info. Timing sucks. This is NOT the time to have to be worrying about my new computer shutting down after three months of use. Thanks for the link! |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
HP apparently hasn't changed a bit. Their documentation is still being cut & pasted out of engineering manuals.  You should always back up your data (not necessarily programs) on a regular basis, and certainly before performing any major updates or upgrades on your system. When I was doing it for a living and other people's businesses depended on my company, I always insisted on TWO backups - because experience long ago taught me that even a backup can fail. Having said that, however, a full system restore alone "shouldn't" affect data files. It probably WILL require reconfiguring your programs, so you want to make sure you have written records, especially for networking and dial-up connections, or anything else that isn't plug-n-play. While it's probably not an immediate concern, I would strongly suggest ordering that Recovery CD. I honestly can't believe OEM's are trying to save the cost of a CD by putting the OS install on a HD partition. There are SOOOO many things that can go wrong, turning the computer into an electronic doorstop until you can have the OS mailed to you. Dumb!  |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Someday when I have loads of time...I have a story for y'all. Christopher, consider this thread to be the first LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT about Windows XP. Hugs, K where's the Tylenol, Advil and Aleve? |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Considered! I want to address two things Ron has said here, because i 'disagree' with them. quote:-and- quote:These two tie together... I would imagine, Ron, that you probably build your computers? Still... pre-made computers (ones you buy ready to go from the store) often come out with "Recovery Discs." The BIG problem in my op is that these discs restore the entirety of your system (usually) and not JUST the OS. the OS IS on them, but so is everything your computer originally came with, up to and including those *&^*&%*^% AOL files i spend ten minutes deleting every time i format my computer. This being the case (and i don't know if ALL units have these discs, though i know for sure Compaq and HP come with them) you should DEFINITELY backup your files prior to loading up the disc to recover your computer... because with only one exception in my experience, the recovery discs FORMAT your computer before reinstalling the OS and other programs it originally came with. (this is not to disagree with Ron's suggestion about backing up regularly - i back up about once a week, and keep one disc at my house, one at my mom's... just in case )Ok. Said my piece. C |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
You both know the old adage, "live and learn"? I've been to grad school this weekend.... Ok, here's the scoop on Windows XP. [Sharon, listen up...] In order to get past the "partition" [and you guys can correct my understanding, I'm just laying it out like I larned it...][spelling emphasis...] one needs to take the less than two seconds that the HP blue window first appears as the machine is turned on and rapidly hit F10 about a dozen times. This knocks loudly on the door of Windows XP and says "let me the heck in!" Then you go into a full Reinstall of OS ... or, SETUP. As if you just bought the dang thing. NOW...once we decided this was where we needed to be [in order to reinstall my silly Search Companion] my husband got all excited because we had to do it IMMEDIATELY and he read, "this won't affect your saved files." Wanna bet? A side note: All of Saturday I did my best to work through this by myself ["my computer, my headache" sort of thinking] and by the end of the day, spouse was telling me I was "obsessed" with the computer. Well, yeah.... By Sunday he decided to tell me how to fix it. When all of his suggestions were answered, "been there, done that" he joined the Obsession Train. We even drug my poor brother into the fray and he spent an hour walking me through the Computer Prompt [as you had suggested Ron, working with DOS to find/fix the problem]. That was when my brother was pulling his hair out and saying we had to bite the bullet and order the OS disc. Well...as Christopher points out, they don't give you an OS disk [if I read Christopher right]...because it's already in the machine. Of course since the book says we won't lose any files, hubby is eager to "fix it" so against better judgment [and since he's pointing to the book where it says "you won't lose any saved files"] I do the knock-knock, it lets me in, and we spend 20 minutes reinstalling the OS. Did I lose my files? No. Did I lose my Word program that I had installed in addition to their pre-programmed stuff [insert any word you think appropriate, stuff is about as clean as I can make it]...yes. What happened is that all of my Word files are now WordPad files. Not Word notebook. So one of the computer gurus told me today that I will be able to reinstall the Word 2000 program that I like, and then copy over all my files to it. Sounds almost too logical to think it will work safely. What I did learn is that any word document I had that was saved by password is now unreadable in WordPad, but I'm hoping that the conversion back will allow me access to them again. Anyone have anything to add, or advise? I'm so open to help I'm like a sponge.... and yes, Ron...the moment I get everything converted, I'm saving ALL to disk. CD that is. MegaRom. Ya'll come back in and help me now, y'hear? [This message has been edited by Sunshine (04-01-2002 02:03 PM).] |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
quote: Stop worrying Kari! You got that from me. Your Word files were NOT converted. They weren't even touched. What DID happen, is that your computer now recognizes them differently. When you had Word installed, it told your computer that all files with the ".doc" extension are part of its family, and should be opened by it. When you lost word, the only thing your computer could find that accepts the same ".doc" association, is the default Windows program, Wordpad... a VERY dumbed down version of Word, which is why it won't accept passwords. The very good news is that once you load up your MS Word program again, everything will be just like you left it, passwords and all, because they were never changed. C [This message has been edited by Christopher (04-01-2002 02:54 PM).] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
[seeing a little glimmer of hope that will allow my heart to start beating...] does that mean, Christopher, that I won't have to copy over, and they will all automatically be reconverted? [down on knees and thanking the Computer Gurus....] |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Nope, they won't be "reconverted" Kari... because they were never modified to begin with. The files have stayed the same, only your computer's perception of them has differed. Uhmm... and I'm not waxing philosophical.  You shouldn't have to do anything at all besides load up Word and act like nothing's changed. (aside from your new compulsion to backup all the time) |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I'm sure you heard that heavy sigh of relief? Thank you.... thank you veddy veddy much.... |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Chris is right on both counts. Your Word documents are just fine and you'll have no trouble at all once you install Word again. In fact, if your data files are okay, there's a good chance Word is still on your hard disk. If you can find the directory where it's setting, it should have its own setup.exe that will re-associate the file extensions and add the program to your menu. If you can do it that way, you won't lose any custom settings you may have already added to Word. And yea, knowing HP, their idea of a "Recovery Disk" is probably what I would call a binary image file. It's a mirror of what your disk looked like after everything was installed and is probably next to useless. However, if you were able to do an OS restore, then what I was referring to - the actual OS install files - are on that hidden partition "somewhere," too. Finding them on the hidden partition, however, would take some potentially dangerous magic. FWIW, Chris, I've bought two off-the-shelf computers in my life, but treated both exactly the same way as those built from individual components. The first was an HP, circa 1995 (actually bought for a customer who turned out to not pay his bills), and the second was a Dell, about two years ago (because there aren't a lot of computer stores in Colon). In both instances, the first step was to format the hard disk and then lay down MY operating system of choice. It was when I thought back to the HP that I realized what you meant because, yea, it came with a binary image CD, not a "real" OS. The Dell, however, did come with a true OS CD, just not the one I wanted (Win ME was a step backward from Win98, IMO). Not incidentally, Karilea, the Dell is a P4 1200 MHz and was meant to replace my slower P3 400 MHz machine. In two years, however, I've never quite found the time to configure the new machine and still use it for little more than a file server. My P3 just keeps chugging along, eliminating any real sense of urgency. Now that you're an Install Expert, you can drop over some time and finish the job for me? |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ah, before I come to help... I have successfully reloaded Word, all my documents are fine. [Thank you Chris!] I went to back up [using Windows XP backup system - Veritas] and on the first disk, after attempting to download the files [or save the files to disk] I got the message "One or more of your files did not compare to their original. It is recommended you try to create your disc again. Please remember to shut down all applications while disc creation is in progress." OK. Nothing was working/on/running EXCEPT the discwriter. So I put in a new disc. Now, the same message appeared the second time. EXCEPT...I cannot remove the disc. HELP? [In other words, the dang thing won't eject!!!] This is an April Fool's joke, right? NOT... |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ok good. Went back into the program and was able to get the disk out without a crowbar and hatchet.  April Fool's is officially over... |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
FYI - if, in the future, you ever have trouble ejecting a disc from your CD-Rom, there is a small hole on the face which, if you take a long paperclip or something equally strong and slender, you can insert in that hole which releases the tray, allowing you to open the drive. This works with or without the power on, though, of course, you should always try and see if you can open it the "right" way. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
It sounds as if you're backing up directly from the hard disk to a R/W CD-ROM? I'm not familiar with your program, but I've used a lot of other backup programs, and most of them have to be configured for a full backup to work. For example, if it tries to back up a file that's "in use" it has to know whether you want it to skip the file (yes) or wait until the file is released (no). This is important because Windows keeps some files open and, in this day and age, even when you have "nothing" running, there is always something running. I'm guessing since I don't have XP, but chances are good you can get to Task Manager with a Ctrl-Alt-Delete sequence. If not, you might find it in the Start menu? At any rate, Task Manager will tell you what is running even when it looks like nothing is running. If one of those programs changes a file AFTER it's been written to the CD, you'll get the error message you saw. What's on the CD no longer matches what is on the hard disk, so you get the verifcation error. If ANYTHING is running in the background except Windows (and sometimes even Windows), it's probably writing to the disk and causing your problem. There are several possible solutions to the problem, most of which are nasty. Using TM to shut down non-essential programs is the best, but requires knowing which are essential and which aren't. Not recommended. Turning off verification in your backup program is probably the next-best option, but it means finding out WHERE to turn it off in the configuration screens. Turning it off basically tells the program to NOT check for differences, but to just assume what's on the CD is good. This should work and very little danger. What I would do, assuming you know where your data resides and the program allows it, is just do a data backup rather than a full backup. Getting your OS/Programs off a backup CD later is problematic, at best, making a full backup in today's world of limited use. Even if you need those, it's usually easier to just reinstall unless you know exactly which files you want to restore. That being the case in most cases, a data backup is all you'll ever need. The fact a data backup will run MUCH faster means it'll get done more often. And, most importantly for you, none of those programs running in the background have any business changing those data files while you're trying to do a backup. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Just letting you guys know I've checked in to quickly read your stuff, but will come back and take it in fully as soon as I get my PRINTER reinstalled. Now it's giving me troubles... I think someone planned this....just for 4/1/2002. I'll be back. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
So Ron, if I read this correctly, if I am just copying my word document files, I will run into this problem? I figured perhaps it was reading the "backups" of certain files, and therefore, "did not compare to their originals." I'll try again tomorrow. I've finally gotten all of my extra equipment hooked back up and one project done [outside of hooking everything back up and getting Word to work again] for tomorrow's night [heh heh] Poetry Reading gathering. Something I think I'm going to really look forward to - and away from the computer! Thanks again you two, for all of your help! K |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Actually... I don't think that's exactly what Ron's saying. If i gather right, he's suggesting exactly what i do - don't do a "backup" - instead, copy the files you want (word, etc.) over the CD just as if you would have an old floppy. THAT is your backup. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
What Chris said. Backup JUST the data instead of the whole drive. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Ok. What I was trying to do was take the initial document file, i.e., "Karilea's folder" which contained all of the subfiles. I will dig a little lower down into the folders and copy them instead of going from Karilea's folder on down. Tonight. After I have some fun. Heaven knows, there's not been much fun lately. You guys are awesome. Thanks again! |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Backing up "Karilea's folder" should work, without going any deeper. There's only two reasons why it mightn't. One, if there's a file in there that is not data. Two, if there's a bug in your backup program. You obviously have no control over the latter, but unfortunately, you really don't have a lot of control over the former, either. Even if you find a system or program file hidden in with your data, moving it elsewhere will probably cause something to break. I just hate programs that write their data where ever they please! See if you can find an "Options" or "Preferences" screen in the backup program, Karilea. Somewhere in there, you should be able to find a way to turn off Verification on the backup. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I will look for those options Ron. It's all this "other stuff" that I hardly ever get in to that is hard to keep in my own computer [read head] system.... I doubt that I will get to this tonight. But get to it I will, and I will definitely check back in with you guys to let you know the success/failure that I experience. Can't you guys just come over and sit in my chair and fix it? I can feed you all you want.... |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Well - now we're seeing the opposite of this problem. LOL - but i think it's more likely an error on my part than anything else, and thankfully one that i can easily rectify. I've had XP up for several days now, and i LOVE it. I haven't crashed a single time. I love the interface, the options, the stacking, the ease of setting up the network (as well as any drivers, etc). it's beautiful! had two problems so far - the first was that XP didn't have the correct driver for my video card. The was rectified by using the "Start in VGA mode" option, then d/l the new driver. Yay! Second - trying to copy files from my backup cd to the computer... uhmm.. and some of them aren't working! yikes. still though, i've a feeling that's due more to a bad copy than a prob with XP. Thankfully, all my recent work is either accessible on the cd (some parts i can get, some i can't, go figure) or here at Pip. Thanks for the temporary backup space Ron. |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
LOL. I promise, Chris, that I won't point you back to my other post in this thread where I recommend TWO backups. Oops. I guess I just did. Are you addressing any of the security issues yet, Chris? |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
lol - actually, i almost always do. this time - i loaded up XP because i crashed. hard. i had just backed up the day before however, and hadn't made an extra copy (or tested the one i had made) doh. and yes, you just did! LOL |
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NapalmsConstantlyConfused
since 2001-05-15
Posts 529 |
there's another problem with HP's (specifically HP's) binary image files - their "Recovery Disk" set that comes with their boxes runs a check on your hardware before it will attempt to restore anything - and if it doesn't find the original, HP-installed, factory spec hardware, it won't work at all. down to the MAC address on the NIC card. yuck. XP - personally i tried XP, and after fighting with it for months i went back to 2000 - simply because i was able to get patches for the things that were broken in 2000, and XP still has a ton of issues floating around that haven't been resolved. frankly, i have procured myself a second computer and am busily teaching myself Linux, because i am tired of M$' attempts to take over my computer entirely. if i want to play a CD, i shouldn't have Media Player trying to log on to the internet to tell M$ what disk i'm playing, and whether it's an original or a backup; "error reports" to M$, checks with M$ "to see if my system is legal" before it will allow me to get any files from M$.... um, no. M$ has a legitimate complaint that people steal their software, but to be fair, they charge entirely too much for the software in the first place, especially considering how bug-ridden and crashable it is. the result is that they are charging entirely too much money for an "operating system" that consists of windows 2000 with a lot more wizards, a bit better memory management algorithm, and way more security holes - not to mention more security features than operating files. i can live without it, thanks. i can live without CPRM, i can live without "error reports," i can live without gaping security holes, and i can live without XP. out of the 30 people in my computer networking class, only one still uses XP - the rest are all on either linux or 2000. not for me. maybe someone else might think the wizards are great, but don't be under illusions, folks. windows XP IS windows 2000, only with more problems. it IS pretty - but that's all. -Dave |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
still not having any problems with XP here. Loving every minute of it... hey, that could be a song As to the difference between it and 2000, you're almost right Dave. it is the same technology. Personally, i think it's a lot less buggy than 2000 (which i've run off of before). However, the biggest difference, i think, it that the general public finds XP more affordable than 2000/NT. |
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NapalmsConstantlyConfused
since 2001-05-15
Posts 529 |
i guess the bugs (or lack thereof) in any operating system are largely dependent on the user. allow me to explain before jumping on me: different applications use different portions of the operating system. while it's virtually impossible for any section of code written for anything to be "perfect," there are certainly varying degrees of bugginess present between the different sections of the operating platform. Windows 2000's terrible, nightmarish page memory handling, for example. some things work fine, and some don't. thus: i guess it depends what you're using it for. a friend of mine who uses his computer almost exclusively for internet surfing tells me that he loves it up and down. another friend of mine, who uses his XP machine for programming, says it's barely tolerable, and the only reason he keeps it is the driver library. personally, i use mine split about evenly three ways, as a word processor / internet tool / game design platform, and in my experience it has been miserable. the memory handling, i will say, is great - it came virtually straight out of linux, lmao. however, the graphics rendering, for all that the system is "pretty," falls short when it comes to gaming-type applications. 3d Game Studio, even the version written specifically for windows XP, had about a 1 in 8 chance of causing a total system failure every time i started it. it works well with static media files, but for some reason anything requiring on-the-fly 3d rendering just plain gave it fits. i WOULD say it was my video card - except i tried, during that time, about 4 video cards, and about the same number of sound cards, trying to find the hardware that Xp liked the best. among them: an ATI radeon 8500, a voodoo 5, a daytona "generic" card, and (my baby) a geforce 4. the combination that ended up working the best, surprisingly, was the geforce 4, with a turtle beach montego sound card. XP just plain didn't like the sound blaster cards prior to the audigy. out of curiosity, i decided to test my system out and try the various versions of windows on it, so i dug around and found all my original windows discs that i've bought since 95, and tried it. my system is on a epoX 8k7a motherboard with 512 crucial DDR 2100, and an athlon XP 1700+ processor. my results were annoying. Xp came in last FOR WHAT I DO WITH IT. it looked great on paper, but when it came to actual performance of the kinds of things for which i use the system, it scored way lower, both on PCmark and on 3dmark, and my load times for 3dgamestudio were significantly, noticeably longer than in any other version of windows. so i decided to go with my current configuration: using windows 2000 / ME multi-booted, so i can use 2000 for my word processing / internet whatevers, and ME for gaming. while i tend to agree with Ron that 98 worked better than ME did, again, for the specific things that i use it for, ME ran better. maybe M$ will make huge, vast leaps forward and bring the whole operating system up to the standard set by the parts that work. i hope so. but until and unless they do - Chris, you're welcome to it. Need an extra copy of professional? i guarantee i won't be using THAT disk again, lol. -Dave a postscript here - unless you really, really love downloading drivers from cryptic websites that are ridiculously difficult to navigate, do NOT buy an ATI video card. their on-disc drivers are terrible, and getting around the ATI website is a nightmare. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
i think you have a good point Dave - it does depend on what the person is using it for. I use mine for word processing, internet, scripting (html, perl, etc.), as well as 2d and 3d design (autocad et al) and photo/graphics (photo paint, adobe). So far, nothing seems to be a problem, and the 3d design gobbles up a LOT of memory!!! Ironic - i had problems with my ATI video card... lol. had to go to their website to find the right drivers... however, i must have got lucky, because i found them right away. |
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Paddy Member
since 2002-09-23
Posts 52Straya |
I realise this is an old post but I don't suppose the problem has been fixed and even if it has, there will be others at some point. I have been using 'puters for close to twenty years and found the most efficient way to side-step all of these difficulties was to install a second HDD. I install the OS ona small very fast HDD and all programmes and files ona large HDD. That way, a re-format and re-install of the OS takes two to three hours on a slow 'puter and a quick registery edit to adjust setting for whatever programmes require it. Truth is, the latter is not so quick coz I always have to re-learn how to do it. haha I guess one becomes content with one’s poetry when one opens the book ten years hence and does NOT exclaim, “Did I really write this?” |
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