Computer Questions: XP vs. 98SE

Self | 06/27/06 | 50sDad

[50sDad]

I am looking at buying, at long last, a better computer. I have the opportunity to buy a bundled WCS 761GX-M754 motherboard and AMD Athlon XP-M processor with 512K of PC-3200 memory. Problem is, my past expertise tops out at the Celron 333, PC-100 memory level, and the system comes without operating system. Can some wizard here tell me if I can install an oldstyle Win98SE installation on this, or will I have to drag my sorry caveman arse into the 21st Century and actually buy XP?

What kind of performance sacrifice would I make if I COULD put 98 on it? Would the onboard motherboard hardware (video, audio, network) demand XP drivers and gag trying to run 98?

Thanks in advance. I always get the best advice in here.

[Echo Talon]

ahh here is the first page of the ASUS motherboard review..

Here

[ThePythonicCow]

I'd recommend Linux (say SUSE or Ubuntu or Kubuntu) over Windows, however that depends on what you want to do with the computer.

If you need to do any of:

• run Quicken or Microsoft Money (no substitutes allowed)
• run Photoshop (no substitutes allowed)
• play serious games

then you probably want Windows XP Home.

Otherwise, one of the Linux distributions such as I named above will be lower cost, more robust, and much less susceptible to viruses and malware.

I run both Linux and Windows myself. I have a couple of Windows boxes for serious gaming, a Windows box for Quicken (I'm a serious user of online banking) and several Linux boxes for various purposes. Almost all my web browsing and document production, as well as my calendar and address book, are on Linux. I use Linux for image manipulation and scanning (but I'm not addicted to Photoshop - Gimp or Pixel is sufficient for my needs.)

Bottom line - we can't adequately recommend what operating system you should get until we know what you need to run on it - the applications you need.

[ThePythonicCow]

You wrote:

WCS 761GX-M754

I suspect you meant to write:

ECS 761GX-M754

Looks like a good buy to me.

[50sDad]

Why, back in the day, we had coal fired computers!

Coal? We would have loved to have had coal! We had to power our computers with thermal energy derived by rubbing our hands hands together!

[js1138]

If you need to do any of:

My excellent slide/film scanner will not run on anything but Windows. I'm guessing this is unusual, but you do need to consider things like this.

[Echo Talon]

I'd recommend Linux (say SUSE or Ubuntu or Kubuntu)

Ish... I don't like any of those distros... I'd recommend Mepis 6(on july 10th) or PcLinuxOS

[rzeznikj at stout]

I've been trying it via qemu. It's very different.

It can be downloaded here (ISO image compressed via bz2)

[ShadowAce]

Thanks--My DL just finished. LOL!

[ThePythonicCow]

but you do need to consider things like this.

Yup - you do.

[Dinsdale]

Nothing ECS is a good buy (unless your time is worthless).

Abit or Asus. It's worth the extra few bucks to get quality hardware.

[Echo Talon]

I suspect you meant to write:

ECS 761GX-M754

Looks like a good buy to me.

Not to me... NO SATA... its socket 754.. sis chipset, only 2 memory slots(max supported 2GB), only 10/100 LAN, Video Chipset SiS Ultra 256 2D/3D Graphics(not as good as the Geforce 6150)

[Echo Talon]

here are the detailed specs

here

[js1138]

Yup - you do.

I also have an old TV tuner card that will capture closed captions to a text file without taking up space for a video capture. It only runs on Windows 98.

[Mannaggia l'America]

I'm still looking for a 2311 disk drive with a USB inteface.

Would you settle for a Bluetooth paper tape reader?

[arjay]

I agree with your frustration. Vista will be out sometime within the next year or two. Some time down the road XP will be unsupported, but it is the only way to go if one is going to stay with Microsoft.

My XP Pro has been extremely stable and I have had no real problems with drivers. However, my hardware is only about 3 years old and I have plenty of memory.

[Still Thinking]

At least you HAD hands!

[Sen Jack S. Fogbound]

I would prefer a Full Version Windows XP Home Edition, or the XP Pro (if you can afford it).

With a full version, you can do a clean start and not have any trouble that a upgrade version might give you!

You should be able to get an OEM WIN XP Home Edition for $94 at Fry's.

[50sDad]

At least you HAD hands!

Yes, but they were second hands.

[DesScorp]

"I'd be careful buying XP from odd sources. I recently bought a copy of XP Pro for $99. It's a real Windows CD, with the hologram and all, but it is intended for use in a corporate licensed environment. You cannot use Windows Update with it. The "Advantage" applet says it's counterfeit."

There are no such restrictions or classifications with XP Home. As long as you're buying from a rated seller with a good history, you're ok on Ebay. They even toss in some small piece of hardware on the OEM discs to comply with the license.

[ThePythonicCow]

Not to me... NO SATA... its socket 754.. sis chipset, only

Eh - so? Depending on what he's using it for, that's plenty good enough. I've got my father in-law on such a rig, which he uses for email and web browsing (running SUSE Linux). He's happy as a pig in slop with it, and liked the low price.

At the same time, in another window, I am helping to setup a 1024 processor, 2 Terabyte memory (main memory, not disk) system, running SUSE Linux as well. That's a single system image, not a cluster.

Systems come in all sizes. Nothing wrong with buying a 49 cc motor scooter if that's what you need. They have their uses, just as does the Delta IV Heavy rocket and the custom modified 747's Boeing will be using to transport 787 Dreamliner subassemblies.