is there a new windows coming out?

[thirty-two]

if i were to get windows xp in the next coming months, would that be a good thing? or is there a new system looming out there in the near present future? (it's only goal, of course, is to make my newly acquired XP last year's fashion)

 

[bratwurst]

FIrst of all, what kind of machine do you have? Post the specs if you can and we'll be able to see if you can upgrade to Win 2000, XP, or wait for longhorn/vista. Of course, Longhorn/Vista might be another year or so away...

 

[thirty-two]

hmm....

It's Win 98
Pentium 4
dvd player
i think it started with 40 gig.. but now is down to about 23

i did right click/properties thing and it says 256mb ram

thats about all i know of

I've asked my dad about upgrading and he said it might be a bad idea because some of the drivers i have now may not be compatible with XP

 

[Ryanwb]

Windows Vista's minimum system requirements will be 512 MB and a 2.8 GHZ processor

 

[bratwurst]

You should be able to run XP. You might want to look to see if your hardware is listed on the Windows Hardware Compatibility List. You will need to update the drivers, definitely, but it isn't difficult.

 

[Chaz]

hmm....

It's Win 98
Pentium 4
dvd player
i think it started with 40 gig.. but now is down to about 23

i did right click/properties thing and it says 256mb ram

thats about all i know of

I've asked my dad about upgrading and he said it might be a bad idea because some of the drivers i have now may not be compatible with XP

XP is a very good upgrade for Windows 98. Windows Vista is still aways away I think. Windows XP will be supported for years to come in any event.
XP has a compatability test you can run before upgrading. You may have to update some programs to versions that are compatable with XP. The compatability test should tell you which ones could be a problem.

If it is a Pentium 4 you should be fine. XP should recognize your components.
It does a much better job with drivers than Win98.

256MB ram is minimum for Windows XP. It will run ok but I would recommend 512MB of ram if you are multitasking (using several programs at once).

 

[Chaz]

Also is this a laptop or desktop?

 

[thirty-two]

Also is this a laptop or desktop?

desktop

im assuming microsoft has that test on their XP site?

also, my mom has XP - so I would be able to burn a copy of that to get the XP, correct?

and finally, is updating the drivers hard? like, something I could do here, with the proper help for you lovely people? (bats eyelashes). if it's too technical, i think i might just wait until i come home for christmas break or something, possibly until im done with college in may, even.

 

[devilalum]

Windows Vista's minimum system requirements will be 512 MB and a 2.8 GHZ processor

This is part of the Intel Microsoft conspiracy.

WHy do I need to buy a new computer?

Because the latest version of Windows won't run on your old machine.

But all I do is surf the web, send email and type in Word.

That's fine but Microsoft won't support your old OS and you'll be vulnerable to viruses. (He said in a scary voice)

Buying Longhorn when it first comes out would be a big mistake. At least wait until they come out with Longhorn SP1. Or Vista SP1.

 

[devilalum]

desktop

im assuming microsoft has that test on their XP site?

also, my mom has XP - so I would be able to burn a copy of that to get the XP, correct?

and finally, is updating the drivers hard? like, something I could do here, with the proper help for you lovely people? (bats eyelashes). if it's too technical, i think i might just wait until i come home for christmas break or something, possibly until im done with college in may, even.

Updating the drivers is a snap. Just make sure you are connected to the internet when you install XP. Then just run the updates over and over until all the drivers, security patches, SP's etc. are installed. I've done this lots of times. 99 times out of 100 all the drivers you need are right on the Microsoft site.

 

[Chaz]

desktop

im assuming microsoft has that test on their XP site?

Actually it is on the installation disk.

also, my mom has XP - so I would be able to burn a copy of that to get the XP, correct?

I am sure that would violate the license agreement but there is no technical reason that couldn't be done. Activating XP on different hardware would raise a flag but I don't know how much that is even enforced.
There are also different versions OEM, full, and upgrade. Mostly they have to do with the licensing, license number, and install programs.

and finally, is updating the drivers hard? like, something I could do here, with the proper help for you lovely people? (bats eyelashes). if it's too technical, i think i might just wait until i come home for christmas break or something, possibly until im done with college in may, even.

If the hardware is newer (P4 sounds like it is) XP will most likely handle the drivers thing fine. (Drivers are the instructions about the hardware). XP should recognize your hardware and install drivers on its own.

The software is what might have to be removed, updated, or re-installed before or after the upgrade.
The compatibility test should tell you what programs could be a problem.

 

[nathan]

also, my mom has XP - so I would be able to burn a copy of that to get the XP, correct?

Microsoft if paranoid about piracy. You're only allowed to install on one machine. They are able to check because you have to activate it over the internet.

 

[thirty-two]

Thanks for the info guys... that sucks about having to buy XP though... My dad burned me a copy of 98 back in the day.... bummer!

I cant wait to upgrade though... my mp3 player isnt compatible, my digital camera, etc. it sucks

 

[Chaz]

Thanks for the info guys... that sucks about having to buy XP though... My dad burned me a copy of 98 back in the day.... bummer!

I cant wait to upgrade though... my mp3 player isnt compatible, my digital camera, etc. it sucks

LOL

People copying Windows 98 is a big reason they put in software activation.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837116194

In my professional opinion the $99 bucks to go from Windows 98 to XP home is worth it because of the inreased reliability and compatability. Just make sure you have 256MB of memory or more. (512MB recommended).

I don't think they would come knocking on your door or anything if you installed your mom's windows but most people just find it easier to just buy it rather than worry about it.