[Carriage Hill]

I enjoy these threads.

[SunkenCiv]

I remember the stink that arose when XP came out, people swearing to stick with 98 or 95, bitching about problems, driver failures, etc. MS would be hard pressed to have a more successful OS rollout, in retrospect.

[hattend]

Where can I get a free copy of Win7 upgrade?

[woodenickel]

Computer repair shop owner here. Tips and advice:
1 Yes you need to upgrade or replace your XP machines. The security issues will prevent you from logging into your bank or purchasing things online.

2 You can not upgrade from XP to 7. You will need to save your data and do a clean install.

3 If you machine has a dual core processor (or better) and 2 GB of ram it will run great and you will be a happy camper. Microsoft says you can get by with a much slower processor and only 1 GB of ram, but it will not be a pleasant experience.

4 For Windows 8 users. Check out a program called “Classic Shell” it’s free (you can donate to the developer and I do every time I install it on a customers computer). It allows your windows 8 machine look and act like Windows 7 or XP.

[Organic Panic]

Microsoft can buy me all brand new CNC and various other engineering, lab, and shop equipment then I will buy a new window 8 crap box. But since no one who tells me to upgrade wants to buy me 500,000 bucks of new shop machinery I will be sticking with XP.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Wow! A mini Y2K.

[Gay State Conservative]

I have an old clunker that still runs fine with XP.I'll do one more “Windows Update” on it in the next week or so (assuming I can get through) and then I'll keep it off the web for the rest of its days.XP has one or two functions that I like...that's why I keep that clunker.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Support ends . . . .

"Will Microsoft Security Essentials be supported after April 8, 2014?

"Microsoft Security Essentials will not be available for download on Windows XP after April 8, 2014. If you already have Microsoft Security Essentials installed, you will continue to receive anti-malware signature updates through July 14, 2015. However, please note that PCs running Windows XP after April 8, 2014 should not be considered protected.

"Will Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool be supported after April 8, 2014?

"Microsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool is aligned with the company's anti-malware engines and signatures, and as such the removal tool will continue to be provided for Windows XP through July 14, 2015. However, any PC running Windows XP after April 8, 2014 should not be considered protected as there will be no security updates for the Windows XP operating system."

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

On XP now. Had a 1 TB drive I thought it was bad so I replaced it. Had other hardware problems now fixed. Old drive is still good. Would like to go to a dual boot with Linux as the primary on the old drive. Any ideas where to start?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

What a crock. XP disconnected from the internet is as secure as it gets. My PC runs too well on it to just dump it.

Running Virtual Box for Windows with Linux Mint on a VM gives me all the internet access I need...and I get to keep my XP and all the applications I love.

Windows 7 and 8 are good operating systems...for me to poop on.