WIndows XP Pro on an old computer

[october]

Here's a question.....
I have a Dell computer, it's an Intel Celeron 500 MGZ processor with a 30 gig hard drive and 192 megs of RAM.
I run Windows 98 Second Edition as my operating system.

My brother wants to give me a copy of Windows XP Pro.

Should I do it? Can I do it? Would I have to reinstall all my software and drivers again or would I just have to update the operating system? Can my computer handle it? Some people have told me that Windows XP should not be run on older machines that did not have it from the start.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[funxus]

A search on google says that your computer has the requirements for XP, but I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't even do it to our computer that was pre-installed with Win ME. I think it'll be slow, and the benefits aren't that great.

If you decide to do it anyway, reformat your hard drive first and do a fresh install. The reasons are that your computer probably will slow down because of it anyway, so anything that can boost speed is good, and because they are two different types of OSes (98 is based on DOS, and XP is based on NT, there was a thread about someone having problems with this a month or so ago). This also means you have to reinstall drives and programs as well.

 

[nixon]

Don't think it would hurt, but I'd opt for Win2k instead with your specs.

 

[damunzy]

I have a computer for my wife that is a Celeron 500 with 128 MB of RAM and Windows XP loaded on it. My suggestion: Don't do it as it will run agonizingly slow.

Go with Nixon's suggestion of Windows 2000 and turn off all the eye candy.

 

[october]

I just read on Microsoft web site that you can only activate Win XP on one computer. That means he can't give me his copy.

But what if he bought a new computer and wanted to install it on his new computer?

I think I'm just going to stick with my Windows 98 Second Edition. It's been very stable for me and fast enough for me.

 

[Titi]

I've been using Windows for quite a long time now, and I agree with Nixon and Munzy : IMHO, Win2K is the most reliable (meaning stable) version.

October, if that may help you choose : running XP (after an upgrade from Win ME) on a 2.4 GHz processor, 256 MB and 60 GB is rather fine, but you need to wait for several minutes when starting up or closing down !!!

 

[sw99]

Hmm weird, I only have a pentium 3 800mhz and win xp takes a max of 1 minute to go from switched off to ready to use...

 

[Turner]

Only a minute? That's three times slower than it should be. XP is supposed to be loaded in 20 secs, tops. My system is slightly faster than yours (an AMD Athalon 850Mhz), and I usually hit the 20 second mark.

But october, I would go for Win2k. You'll get better response out of it, and it's almost as good as XP. I loaded XPPro on a 935Mhz P3 with 128 mb ram, and it almost crippled it. Your slower processor with more RAM might off set it, but probably not. I'd either stick with 98se, like you said, or go with Win2k.

 

[Jeratain]

Originally posted by october

But what if he bought a new computer and wanted to install it on his new computer?

Then he would call the special number at Microsoft and tell them he has upgraded. Then he will tell them his hash number and his activation code and they will give him a new one.

 

[HAND]

I run Windows 2000 Pro on my Celeron 533mhz, 256Mb ram system and it goes nicely. A friend of mine has XP instsalled on his PII 266mhz, 128mb ram and its extremely slow, so either W98 or W2k IMHO.

 

[bobgote]

i'd go with 2000, should be the best for your specs. however don't change if you can't get your hands on it. 98se should be all you need with such a system.

btw, my computer takes probably 30s to load up XP - with a 10s stop at the dual-boot screen. altho that is with an XP2600 and a gig of ram

 

[Jeratain]

I have another computer in the house that runs XP Pro on a PIII 450 with 192 megs of ram and a 13 gb hard drive - it runs fine.

However, if you're going to do it, you'll have to do a fresh install. Upgrading will only give you problems.

 

[Zwelgje]

I have the same specs as you, october.
I run 98SE and it's stable. I guess the same goes for you. Why change the OS when there's nothing wrong with your current one?

PS bobgote, I've got absolution and simply love it, it has been in my CD player ever since I've bought it!