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.
In case you didn't see it, they will send you a Kubuntu CD for free, in case you don't have access to broadband to download the ISO image.
Do I understand that my OS will be calling Bill Gates and reporting what software I own? Can this be turned off?
I'm really only considering the jump to XP because I inherited a complete system for free that is supposedly crashed on a bad MB. (Hot vidcard, soundcard, memory, 450W power supply, DVDr and CDROMr are all supposed to be good. We'll see...)
ME is the WORST operating system Microsoft ever created. What a buggy piece of crap! Every computer professional I know that tried ME ended up going back to 98SE and couldn't wait for XP to come along. XP Pro is great - the Home version is junk.
Even MS sales reps called it the "Mistake Edition."
98SE was a non issue and I mis-posted my dislike. I also ran 98SE before my XP and liked it. I was brain-fried witth ME and have never gotten over it.:-)
I have tried to install Kubuntu but could never get it to run my video. I just get a scrambled screen.
I used Windows for 15+ years and all the pain associated with a substandard OS.I now have 3 Macs and find that the OSX is superior without the associated junk that comes with Windows.
It is worth the effort and cost in the long run.
Sere_Doc out
I understand the cutoff date for WINDOWS Update for WIN89 series is June 30, 2006.
It can only be disabled by wearing your tin-foil hat when you use it. ;-)
No, XP doesn't "phone home" to tell Redmond what you're running. It does have an "activation" requirement, which is a form of registration, but that doesn't tell them anything about your programs either. All it does is keep you from installing the same copy of XP on multiple machines.
When you first install XP, you either have to activate it over an internet connection or by calling a toll-free number to get an activation code that you type in. Either way, they don't have to know anything about you except the machine-generated code that identifies your specific computer.
If you can't get an oem version of XP from your dealer you can get XP Home SP2 Upgrade from Office Depot until July 1st for only $40 if you don't mind waiting on a mail in rebate of $60.
LOL!
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
Eh, I'm no pro by any means...but 3 of the 4 machines in our house are running ME and thus far it's been very stable. It's not for everyone, or every puter, but I like it.
I would not consider buying a MSFT product ntil it has been out for at least a year and sone of the major bugs are fixed or at least known.
I strongly recommend XP if you want Windows. An upgrade version of XP is under $100 dollars, and you can get OEM versions of XP Home on Ebay for under $70, compeletly legal and legit.
Check out the Dell outlet at
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventorySearch?c=us&cs=22&l=en&s=dfh
You can usually find deals like
http://outlet.us.dell.com/ARBOnlineSales/topics/global.aspx/arb/online/en/InventoryDetails?systemId=DDA55THA&~lt=popup&c=us&l=en&s=dfh&cs=22
Which is a 512MB/80GB/2.53GHz Cel D with XP Home and Wordperfect - for $219
Unless your other system is free and your budget is near zero, a refurb Dell is a better bet than building it yourself.
This might help, if it describes your problem. If not, tell me what happens when you boot up.
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