Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade

Rating:
Summary: Do not buy the hype.
Review: When I bought Windows XP, I bought into all the computer magazine hype that would have you believe that XP was the greatest thing to happen to computers since the invention of the mouse. Now, those same computer magazines are saying that Windows XP is full of problems and bugs. Well gee, thanks for telling me that *after* I upgraded!

Windows XP is far more stable than its predecessors. I can count on one hand the number of times my entire system has crashed with XP; when I ran ME, my entire system would go down at least once a day.

But, if you wish to upgrade, keep this in mind:

* Many people will say you need 256MB of memory. I have absolutely no complaints with XP's speed at 128MB. Don't run out and buy more memory without trying it at 128MB first.

* The new interface is not worth [upgrading for]. Only upgrade if you want the increased stability.

* Be prepared for some major hardware failures when you upgrade. My modem did not work when I upgraded, and my video had some problems. If you can, download updated drivers *before* you upgrade. It can also be handy to have a friend's computer at the ready when you upgrade, in case you need to download new drivers.

* Be prepared for some software failures as well. All my software works with XP, except for Outlook 97, which has mysteriously stopped working.

* While this OS is more stable than its predecessors, I still discover some strange bugs from time to time. They are an annoyance, but still the OS is better than Windows ME. Even so, you might be [upset] to [purchase] a new OS and discover that it still has bugs.

Overall, my upgrade has been worthwhile, but only after a month's worth of hassles to get it working correctly. Not everyone will be as patient as I am.

Rating:
Summary: Not as good as the hype
Review: I have only had this OS installed for 6 days, but have spent many hours on the computer during that time. Stability of the system was one of the big reasons I purchased it, but I have had numerous hangups necessitating re boot of the computer.

I like many of the graphic features and added ease of use. However, it leaves me with the same sense of disappointment that I have experienced after every windows upgrade.

Rating:
Summary: Monopolist produces "okay" product. Masses cheer.
Review: It is absolutely remarkable the cheers that a seemingly reliable computer operating system can produce. It's as if we were led to believe for years that even a modicum of stability and interoperability were too much to ask for. And we were. The government needs no better proof of why a monopoly is bad for consumers than to add up all the crashes, incompatibilities, and lousy performance results that Windows has chocked up over the past twenty years. Pathetic. Those in the know will tell you that Windows has kept a cottage industry of computer technicians and troubleshooters gainfully (and lucratively) employed; to them, it has been the goose that laid the golden egg. A big, fat egg.

Now we have XP. It's only been out a short time, but it seems to be far more stable than its predecessors. It's about time. It still crashes from time to time and gets buggy when you try to "plug and play" various peripherals, but those problems haven't led to system meltdown yet. Thankfully. But we should have had an operating system like this from Microsoft years and years ago. There is nothing technologically innovative or superior about Windows XP. It simply works pretty well and most people should be happier with their computers than they've ever been. (Windows 2000 is essentially Windows XP; I've heard the same kinds of comments about it: It does what it is expected to do most of the time without bringing your system down. Fingers crossed, it seems to actually be an operating system that isn't an Edsel.)

But there are operating systems out there that are well-ahead of Windows XP. Mac OS X is such an operating system. Much easier to use. Much more stable. Much more elegant. Yet, because of the entrenched Windows monopoly, few give it a chance. But, today, there is no reason to stick with Windows. The new Mac OS is completely compatible with any Windows network (Mac OS X is based on UNIX, which is the most time-tested stable operating system ever, and also the basis for the industrial LINUX operating system), has all the popular programs that work on Windows (including a marvelous new Office for Mac X that bests the Windows version of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Entourage). It also has the best multimedia programs in the business--none of which are available for Windows. Burn CDs and DVDs, use the best mp3 player out there (the iPod), handle digital cameras and photographs effortless, make your own home movies without even cracking an owner's manual. And, Apple has the best buy in a home computer system: the new iMac G4.

Fight the power. Try something else. Linux. Mac OS X. Send a signal to Microsoft that it isn't going to be business as usual anymore.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty Slick
Review: This is the first release of Windows that has actually impressed me. Sure a lot of the features are just skin deep, but there's a lot of very nice integration of features. MS IMHO has been horrible in the past at looking at the entire integrated user experience. XP is a big positive step in the right direction there.

I use it as the OS on my home file server (mainly serving my AudioTron) and it works great. Pricey, and since you must have separate copies for every machine you own I won't be upgrading my other home PCs soon, but MS's best OS yet.

Rating:
Summary: Nice, if it doesn't eat your data
Review: XP offers many features that are outstanding, such as simple multiple user definitions allowing different users to have completely seperate wallpaper, sounds, screen savers, and mouse configurations. It also very simple to set-up. My recommendation for upgrading if you have the old 98, Me or other Windows operating system disks, is to back up your data first, then reformat the hard drive (FAT32, not the default NTSF) and then load XP from scratch. Simply upgrading does not take full advantage of the mulitple user features (such as the creation of independent "My Documents" folders, so that each user sees the "My Documents" folder as his/ her own. This is done with pointers instead of folders.

HOWEVER, there are a few things you should know, such as how to use DOS. This is becuase you will find yourself learning new DOS based applications used to back up your hard drive, recover lost data, and partition hard drives so you have a place to save your data.

I now have a 2nd hard drive, for data only, so that when my XP crashes again, I don't have to worry about my data. (I've had to reformat my hard drive 5 times so far to erase the old windows application.) I also now own Norton Ghost so I can routinely back-up my XP operating systme and application hard drive. This is where I discovered that DOS does not support NTSF which is the default file format for XP. This means that you can not run DOS applications properly. (This is not the case if you simply upgrade and your drive is already formated FAT32.) The net is, if you use the MSDOS prompt for anything, be wary. DOS does not work with NTSF. With that said, you can't easily use Ghost to back up XP.

XP appears to crash with great frequency, if you attempt to load old software that is not explicitly tested by Microsoft and certified for XP. Likewise, existing hardware you own may not work either. My ...3COM camera was not supported, nor is my ...1-year old HP printer/scanner/coppier, the HP PSC500xi. If the item is not on the approved Microsoft list, Microsoft will not support the interface. For me, this means I now own an Intel camera, and my HP print drivers must be reloaded everytime I reboot.

When the operating system works, I find it is much better than 98 and infiinitely better than Me. However, my wife refuses to use the computer with XP on it because she has lost her e-mail 3 times during crashes.

I'd wait until Microsoft works out the bugs and you are sure ALL of your hardware is XP compatible.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Software So Far From Microsoft!
Review: I am very pleased with the Microsoft Windows XP Professional Upgrade by Microsoft. It is very stable and actually enhances all aspects of your computer. It has removed several errors I use to get and have to shutdown or run maintenance on a regular basis.

The Upgrade was easy to download but took over 90 minutes. What is great about its installation process is that the Software will actually provide you a Report. It will tells you exactly what you may have to do to get all programs working again. It is usually reinstallation or downloading updates.

There are only a few minor drawbacks but worth any inconvenience in the end. The first is to make sure you uninstall and reinstall some programs like Anti-Virus Software, Create CD and Faxing programs. I did have some problems with WINFAX PRO and needed a techician to get it working again.

The other drawback is what happens in toady's world of brave new tech every few years. I just got use to using Windows 1998 and all its systems and now you have to look and learn again all over again. But without question it is worth the stability, reliability and new abilities to do many things you always wanted to do with such a computer without the crashes.

I highly recommend you no longer wait to buy this product, it is ready just like it is and has all the updates you need to run your computer even better than now. And ordering it from Amazon.com is about the best place to gain a saving especially with free shipping. If you order it in a store, you only get 25% off the price with a rebate.

Amazon.com is the place to order it and do it today; you will not regret it!

Rating:
Summary: I liked it and I didn't
Review: I liked the colors and the graphics. I found it seemed a little slower than Windows ME and Second Edition. I found that I can't run XP without having to replace my printer, scanner and my dial-up modem because they were not compatible with XP. My computer is a year old and I have wasted $... on an upgrade that I can't use.
I am disappointed with software manufacturers for letting people buy these products knowing they will not be compatible with our computers trying to force us to go out and buy a new system.
I for one have spent a lot of money for my system and will not buy another one until they figure out how to upgrade my printer, scanner and dial-up modem without costing hundreds of dollars in upgrade costs and of course I cannot return my XP to the store I bought it from because it has been opened and Microsoft cheated another customer and in the process making themselves look even worse than they do now. Makes me want to sue them for the hundred bucks I've wasted.

Rating:
Summary: Fair, 2k is better
Review: Let me start with saying that XP is 2000, but dumbed up. I'm running XP right now and it's all right I don't seem to hit any problems, but I did have problems with my burner which worked just fine on 2000. I just don't get it. If it worked fine on 2k it should work fine on XP, because they are basically the same thing. Overall XP is ok, but I still would recommend 2k over it. People say that 2k doesn't have good gaming support, well either does XP, because I still have the same problems with games that I did with 2k.There are still somethings that need to be worked out with XP and it should be pretty good when it comes out with and service pack or two. The dumbest thing about XP is the stupid retarded activation crap. I format frequently and this gets to be a major pain. Plus the user setup is not the greatest either, 2k's was ten times better. XP is catered to inexperienced computer users. I heard someone say that XP is 2k with a fisher price interface and that person is exactly right. The following list I wrote tells you who should upgrade and who shouldn't.

Who should upgrade?

Inexperienced computer users running any versions of windows.

Who shouldn't upgrade?

Sensible users running 9x or ME should just go to 2k.
Anyone already running 2k.

Basically if you don't know to much about computers XP is great, but if you know enough I would go with 2k. If you are in the middle I'd go with 2k or XP depending on how much you know.

Rating:
Summary: XP For Home Users
Review: Beware of who you listen to. Mr. Top 500 Reviewer likes to spout off big words (in the eyes of the consumer) and make false statements of "the first 32bit OS". To correct, you will find that Windows 2000 went to great lenths to cater to the demands of 16bit applications, being a 32bit OS itself.

Aside from the technical stuff, Windows XP is an operating system geared for the ignorant. For those who like to build their own systems or stray from the "normal" PC user, XP is not the solution. Just ask anyone who tries to set up multiple hard drives on their computer. Microsoft Tech will even tell you that you need multiple copies of their OS.

Bottom line, you cannot go wrong with XP on OEM versions, it is the solution to ME. But for those who want a Microsoft "hands-off" system, stick with 2000.

One other note, "XP" and "Professional" do not belong in the same sentence. System admins are just now testing their equipment for the Windows 2000 upgrade, and now there's this XP? I don't think so. Stick with the home users XP.

Rating:
Summary: Nice new features, but crashes previously stable computers
Review: I have a love/hate with Windows XP right now: I love the new look and the new features, but I hate the fact that BOTH computers I have on Windows XP crash repeatedly and often. This is NOT the stable OS Microsoft talks about in their ads -- at least not yet!

On the positive side, as several other reviewers have remarked, the new Plug and Play is beautiful. Support for wireless, pictures, video, and music is dramatically improved. You can work with all of these objects right at the desktop level. The operating system loads faster and feels faster. I think it's more intuitive and more fun to use, too.

HOWEVER, BE WARNED: I have the very latest version (with all the updates) on TWO computers, and BOTH are crashing on me. One system is a new Dell Latitude CP810 laptop I purchased with Windows XP Professional installed. This crashes, oh, probably 3-4 times per day. The crashes are random, but always seem to take place when I click on something: I'll click on a link in Internet Explorer, or my calendar in Outlook. BAM! The computer restarts. I had a similar Dell Laptop running Windows 2000 (Service Pack 2) and never had ANY crashes with it. So the stability factor has gone WAY down.

I've submitted numerous crash and bug reports to Microsoft and the system always says I'll be contacted within a few days by email -- I've not received any response in 10 days despite repeated queries and crashes. My conclusion from this is that
Microsoft is just swamped with crashes on this not-ready-for-prime-time OS.

The other computer is an HP Pavillion that formerly ran Windows 2000 and never crashed. Just last night, it decided to crash while nothing happened at all! Not good.

I hope Microsoft will fix it, as Windows XP has a lot of potential.

But as of now, I cannot recommend this product. Even though it restarts faster from crashes, that's still not a fair trade for having a stable system. Stick with Windows 2000 until Microsoft figures out how to REALLY keep this OS from crashing. It is definitely FAR from crash proof right now as I can attest!