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.

[Aliska]

I was not the one wanting to go back. I was just projecting myself into the future. XP will be obsolete and unsupported one day and we'll be faced with the same decision the OP is facing now, that was my point.

[MikefromOhio]

Windows 98 will run on that, but MyYOUR$$$oft is ending support of Windows 98 here soon, or so I've heard.

That might be a blessing in disguise, but fixing flaws or getting drivers could be a fun time....

[four more in O 4]

Flog it on Ebay, and buy a Mac. It will be the best computer-related decision you ever make in your life. With the new Intel machines, you can always go back and install Windows, but I bet you won't.

- We recently had the opportunity to thoroughly check out a Macbook. It had a 60g hdd (kinda puny these days) a 2 gig dual core intel processor and a gig of ram.

We put XP on it using Bootcamp beta. To say it went smoothly would be an understatement. The bootcamp neatly and unceremoniously repartitioned the drive and created the driver disk for xp. The machine rebooted to the XP setup screen and away it went.

Not only was the machine screaming fast in it's native mode it ran circles around all the "high end" PC laptops in the store with XP running.

In it's native mode it was about 25 seconds from the time you opened the lid and hit the start button until it was usable.
By comparison my personal laptop (p4 2.4 512m) takes about a minute and a half (dependent on what usb devices I have plugged in on boot)
My only gripe was the on-board intel graphics with the shared system memory. But...

My next desktop machine will definitely have the dual core processor. It might even be housed in a mac.

[Aliska]

Yes, I read about that, that was the point I was trying to meke, and that is exactly what is going to happen. If my computer goes and I have to buy a new one with Vista OEM, ok, but otherwise it will be a problem. Will cross that bridge if and when I get to it.

[Still Thinking]

Wow. 515K of memory? Why would you need so much? Nobody needs more than 64K.

[Echo Talon]

how much $ are you going to spend?

[Echo Talon]

jeeze i think i will try that kubuntu...looks way better then i expected...

Wait till july 10th and download and install Mepis 6 final. distrowatch.com

[Echo Talon]

Go to newegg.com they have complete systems for pretty cheep... :)

Acer AST135-U-S3001 Sempron 3000+ 256MB DDR 80GB S3 UniChrome Pro Windows XP Home - Retail $289.99

Newegg: Computers from $300-$400

Newegg: Computers from $400-$500

[50sDad]

Wow. 515K of memory? Why would you need so much? Nobody needs more than 64K.

Listen, you young pup, in my day my Atari home computer had 16K, and if you were lucky, you might be able to afford a $200 48K memory module from a third party that would void your warrentee. And we liked it that way! (Chaw. Spit!)

[DAC21]

Go with XP, Shop around on Fatwallet.com or Slickdeals.com for links to deals. I just picked up XP Pro (upgrade) for $70 after rebate / coupons from Staples. I saw XP Home going for under $50 last week. Of course MS Vista will be out in 5 months, but who wants to spend $200 - $300 for for the opportunity to help Microsoft debug their newest creation.

[rzeznikj at stout]

Do you have Minix and Plan 9? 8^)

[Echo Talon]

If you have $400 to spend i'd get this one..

here

memory can be upgraded cheaply, and a dvd burner can be added for $35...

[arthurus]

Thanks!

[rzeznikj at stout]

Depends on what you want to do with it.

Home is generally better for simple things (e.g. writing a letter, surfing the web, games for the kids).

Pro is generally a better choice if you plan on doing heavy-duty stuff (e.g. remote connections, multiple logins on network, connecting via Citrix, etc.)

Personally, I'd run XP pro if you can get your hands on a copy...8^)

[Erasmus]

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

[ShadowAce]

I do have Minix, but not Plan 9. I'll check into it.

[Echo Talon]

computer

memory upgrade $42.49

dvd burner 34.99

total $477.47

Athlon 64 3200+
Geforce 6150(pretty good)"Can be upgraded via PCI Express x16 slot"
1GB ram
16X DVD Burner
GB LAN
80GB 7200rpm hard drive
5.1 audio
Windows XP Home

[js1138]

I was just projecting myself into the future. XP will be obsolete and unsupported one day and we'll be faced with the same decision the OP is facing now, that was my point.

Windows 2000 is still fully supported after seven years. Most people abandon the hardware after five years.

[Echo Talon]

also the computer I listed comes with a solid ASUS Motherboard here is a review of it...

Anandtech

[Still Thinking]

Why, back in the day, we had coal fired computers! The "bugs" in the computer were literal bugs: silicon memory hadn't been invented yet, so we just plugged centipedes into those sockets and made them remember things. And we were GRATEFUL! GRATEFUL. I tell you!