Posted on 06/28/2006 6:21:19 AM PDT by 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.
Whoever sells you the bundle should also be able to sell you XP OEM. Usually OEM versions of XP Home are around ninety dollars, XP Pro run around one hundred forty dollars. Either would be a better choice than continuing with 98 or 98SE. XP "Compatibility Mode" will let you run older programs which normally wouldn't run on XP. The decision depends on what you want to do with your computer.
:)
Actually, Windows ME was the "worst". I had minimal problems with 98SE at work and home. Upgraded to XP at work about a year ago with purchase of a new PC, and just in the process of doing the same at home.
So you're saying to go with 98.
jeeze i think i will try that kubuntu...looks way better then i expected...
Windows 98SE is still supported by the majority of software, but the number of applications that won't run on it will only grow as time goes on.
Besides that, XP is simply a much better O/S. It's much more stable, meaning it's not going to crash nearly as often. You'll probably start to really like your computer again with XP on it.
What would you do with it CP/M you downloaded it?
And how long will it be before they come out with a new op system and we are going to face the same probs with XP?
Then what older programs will not be compatible with it just like I ran into when I got a new computer with XP pre-installed? It won't support my genealogy program, my laser writer unless I can find the drivers off my old hd, may not even install right, cannot install a printer/scanner/copier right that I paid a lot of money for so I have to work around that as plug 'n play.
I have liked XP overall compared to Win 95. It is generally more stable, but is so complicated that unless you are a guru, you don't know what it is doing behind its facade and you don't want to know. You just pray that your updates for everything won't blow you out of the water.
They came out with some new Active X upgrade. Then I start getting windows in my face about controls when I visit websites. Then I find a temp fix on MS, dl and install it. It works for awhile. Now I am getting the Active X controls messages again. It is never going to stop.
I'm spending way more time trying to keep my system clean and stable than I like, dl'ing updates, keeping NAV up to date, it never ends.
But this is where I'm at and I do not want to rock the boat by switching to anything else now. Other platforms may have advantages, but most new software works only and best for the biggest, and that would be XP.
Most Linux distros look way better than expected. I installed Fedora Core on my laptop, and I have full functionality--windows (6 desktops), multimedia for listening to music while I work, Network connectivity, Office applications, plus anything else I could wish.
All right from the initial install, which took less time than the initial install of Windows.
I'd wait until a couple of months after Vista is released. Probably early next year. Why buy a new machine with an old OS?
LOL! I actually like trying out different OSes. I have a VM that I can load them into, test them out, and keep or discard. I'm currently working on creating a DVD image that boots into a menu that contains multiple Live CDs. At the moment, I have 8 distros, and have only filled half the DVD.
I thought CP/M might be a cool addition to that.
Entire new computer, 60g HD, XP, all bells and whistles, less than $500. WHY would you want to go back to a system that doesn't work, never did work well, and is incompatable with todays software. All you would do is destroy the capabilities of the computer.
Vista, Beta version, is already available for testing. Will be available on machines very soon. XP will still be around for a while but sooner or late it too will fade away.
I'm not saying go with 98SE.
It was the most stable of it's day, but with today's hardware, software and security climate, it's simply not sufficient. I'd recommend XP.
So, I backed up all my data, reformated the system disk to NTFS, and installed WinXP Home, with NO changes to the hardware.
The BSOD became a thing of the past, installing drivers for every new USB device became a thing of the past, and the thing actually seemed to run faster.
I still use it, although it's no longer my primary machine. The hardware isn't really up to the task of video editing.
So, what does this mean for you? IMO, you should install a modern operating system. That means WinXP, or one of the various versions of Linux/UNIX floating around out there. Win98SE support for USB and Firewire devices is just too flaky. You can do better.
You might want to give Mepis a try, too.
It's Kubuntu/Ubuntu based, but makes configuration of a lot of things much easier, plus it has Java/Flash and Realplayer already installed. In my opinion, it's a far more straightforward distro than Kubuntu/Ubuntu.
Linux, but if your choices are only 98 and XP, then XP.
I've ran WinME on quite a few newer machines that were supposed to be made for XP. Ran quite nice, honestly, although there was one consistent issue of the AGP slot only running at 4x, even with 4x/8x hardware...but unless you're a hardcore gamer, that's no issue. I gamed on mine like that and it ran very well....IIRC 2k Pro actually has the same issue and I currently use it on the same hardware, also for gaming.
I've found XP to be slow and stupidly easy to get nasties..even when it's updated and "secured". Put me under no thanks. I like 2k Pro and ME.
98SE is basically the same issue. You should be fine running it, but you may have to hunt down some drivers.
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