What operating system do I get tomorrow??

me

[Sungirl]

I would appreciate any advice.....

Tomorow at noon is a big day.....
Do I get Windows 98....Windows 2000.....Windows ME?? Windows XP is OUT!

I just want it for home use...no networks....no administrators. Simple, efficient and stable.

PLEASE ADVISE.

[Gun142]

That blue and white screen is very simplified.

I have an Apple IIc I'll sell ya.
9" green screen included.

[Hajman]

I have no idea how to do that......is it done before installation of the new OS? SO what does it do give more memory to the programs?
I am having a friend to this for me...I don't have the confidence to FDISK my drive alone. Did it once..never want to do it alone again. LOL!

Actually, it's quite simple to put NTFS on. It asks you if you want a NTFS or FAT32 file system for your Win2000 install when you install it. Just select the NTFS :>

NTFS is a more efficient system then FAT32. It's measurably smaller, for one thing. And it's faster. It allows longer file names then FAT32, and it doesn't tend to defragment as much (which on a FAT32 system, that can slow the computer down visibly). It can still degragment, but not as bad (and not as fast). Also you don't tend to lose as much data if the computer crashes, like you can with FAT32 (ever seen 'Lost File Clusters' errors?). It's just all around better. And it won't effect files you put on (or take off disks), nor will it effect anything if you place it on a network. There's really no con's to using NTFS (unless you're placing multiple OS's on a machine).

-The Hajman-

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Get Windows ME. It's the best.

[ThinkLikeWaterAndReeds]

I have been using ME for about a year and it has never crashed. I do some serious multitasking between new apps and some that I started using when I first installed Windows 3.1 and the same programs work on ME.

[Gordian Blade]

I vote for Win98SE. I think there are some places on the net where you can still get it. I have Win2000 dual boot on my laptop and there are a lot of problems with Win2000 drivers. A friend of mine just had a major problem requiring a complete OS reinstallation on a brand new Dell system with WinXP + Norton Anti-Virus + Zone Alarm. The problem started when he tried to remove Norton. Many peripherals don't have stable drivers for WinXP yet. As far as I'm concerned, WinXP isn't ready for prime time. That's leaving aside privacy and user interface issues.

[disclaimer]

Windows 2000 or Windows 98.

ME is unstable from my experience with it. Windows 2000 runs steady like a rock (not as good as UNIX though) but may accessories may not support that OS as well as 98. Found this to be true with webcams mostly.

Windows 2000 will make use of all the RAM in your computer where windows ME uses up to 128MB maximum no matter how much RAM is installed. Win 98 may also have this limit.

[Sawdring]

Hey, is that Greenspan sitting in that chair?

[Still Thinking]

I think you should boycott computers and give a beaver a place to sleep.

I am willing to make the sacrifice to help any homeless beavers who need a place to sleep. I'm just that kind of guy.

[RiVer19]

Yeah, I don't think Windows ME deserves all the piling-on that it gets. I've got it running on Celeron 400MHz system, PII 400MHz system, Athlon 800MHz system, and a Athlon 1.2GHz system in my house. All are networked together and connected to a cable modem. No problems. I've built numerous copies of the Athlon 800MHz and Athlon 1.2GHz system for family and friends. No problems.

First thing I do after loading the OS is to do the "windows update" and get all the updates. I think that's why I have no problems with my systems. I've never run it after loading right off the CD. All these PC's run the gamut of tasks from Office to extreme games and sport GeForce2 video cards of various types and one has a Voodoo Banshee card (old). No problems.

So, for what it's worth, I say you can't believe all the negative hype about Windows ME.

[Gun142]

Since this is a 'computer' thread, I have a question.

Let's say a guy was to figure out how to install Windows (from the same CD) to a single hard drive several times, and each system is independent from the others, is it legal?

[general_re]

You guys both have it almost exactly backwards. Win2k supports DirectX, and always has - currently DX 8.1, same as ME/XP.

And most newer games run just fine on win2k, same as XP. It's mostly older games that give it problems, especially DOS games. Which is also true for XP, BTW

Sungirl:

If you have particular software or games or hardware you need or want to run, the best site to check out is NTcompatible - it has lists of literally thousands of games, programs, and hardware, along with notes on whether it is reported to run on NT4, Win2k, or XP, along with many, many notes and tips for software/hardware that can be made to run with some tweaking. Check it out before you go shopping.

[RiVer19]

Bull. I've installed several systems with 256MB and Windows ME uses it as it should. You can run the Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Monitor and see it. This is yet another bunk claim from the screaming anti-Windows ME group.

[freedom9]

I agree

[Hajman]

Let's say a guy was to figure out how to install Windows (from the same CD) to a single hard drive several times, and each system is independent from the others, is it legal?

I think that would be technically legal (since only one copy could actually be ran at a time).

-The Hajman-

[Still Thinking]

Have you noticed a performance hit using ProComm?

My applications for Procomm are not performance sensitive. I work with a lot of industrial electronic devices that want to talk serial RS232 or 422/485. In use they are generally communicating automatically with a PC or programmable controller, but I use Procomm to set them up and/or troubleshoot them after installation (talking to the controller pretending to be the device, or vice versa, or just listening in on their conversation). I use Procomm instead of HyperTerminal or Procomm Win, as a lot of the protocols include what Windows considers "non-printing characters" which the Bill Gates has decided I have no need to see. DOS Procomm shows me the real deal.

[Mr. K]

ProComm????????????? You have GOT TO BE KIDDING????

[LibWhacker]

From the Myst FAQ:

Q. Can I run the game on Windows NT or 2000?

A. While it is possible to run Myst III: Exile on Windows NT or 2000, it is not recommended. Problems may result from doing so, and Ubi Soft will not be able to offer you technical support if you are using Windows NT or 2000.

I think you'll find this true of the earlier versions of Myst, too, i.e., both the original Myst and Riven. It boils down to this: It should run, but sometimes it doesn't. :-)

I think the best thing to do is to carefully peruse the hardware and software requirements included in the software, or listed on the game developer's homepage. If they don't specifically say it'll run under Windows 2000, then you can bet that it probably won't and there'll be a problem with it if you try.

[CheneyChick]

Remember the good old days when CGEB wanted to build his/her/it own computer?? LOL....

[Mr. K]

I am switching my machines from WinNT 4.0 to Win2000 (basically WinNT5) wherever possible. It is that much better...

[RiVer19]

Notice the disclaimer "...from what I understand. Unless something has changed recently" in my post. I don't follow Windows 2000 all that closely now. But, it did not support DirectX 6 and that was a big deal at the time. I guess they've got it included in the DirectX sets since then. I've stayed clear of Windows 2000 because a LOT of game playing goes on in my house on our network. ...and all the early problems it had with lack of DirectX support. ...Early as in early in Windows 2000's shelf life.