Windows XP Pro

[MovingtotheCove]

We are still running Windows XP Pro both on desktop and laptop with MS Office 2003. When are we making a mistake not upgrading to MS 7 and MS Office 2010? I have used MS 7 and sure...some nice functions but does it really matter for what we do at home....doesn't seem like it? I believe XP Pro is not supported but how and what does this mean to a home user not on a network? I've even considered a laptop upgrade to an off lease Dell still running XP Pro? Any input is much appreciated! Thanks.

 

[ratto]

I'm also using XP at home on a laptop bought about 12 years ago. It runs perfectly fine. You really don't miss anything crucial from MS 7 because I have access to it at work. IMO, for a regular home computer user, a simpler OS is always a better, faster and more robust choice. Try to mount a network drive in MS 7 and copy some files over, to see how many more new white hairs you have while waiting.

 

[REWahoo]

I'm also using XP at home on a laptop bought about 12 years ago. It runs perfectly fine. You really don't miss anything crucial from MS 7...

+1, except the 12 years ago is five in my case.

Also, I would never spend money on any Microsoft Office software when Openoffice.org and LibreOffice.org are available for free.

 

[MovingtotheCove]

Just curious...does Open Office work ok with MS 7? Also if you want an e-mail client to replace Outlook is Thunderbird a good choice and what calendar add on might be best? Thanks again for input!

 

[Lsbcal]

We are still running Windows XP Pro both on desktop and laptop with MS Office 2003. When are we making a mistake not upgrading to MS 7 and MS Office 2010? I have used MS 7 and sure...some nice functions but does it really matter for what we do at home....doesn't seem like it? I believe XP Pro is not supported but how and what does this mean to a home user not on a network? I've even considered a laptop upgrade to an off lease Dell still running XP Pro? Any input is much appreciated! Thanks.

I don't know about security on XP. Is it safe for financial transactions? Personally I would not take the chance unless I knew it was secure. When I moved from XP to Windows 8, I really liked the new look and features. MS Office 2007 was better then MS Office 2003.

 

[easysurfer]

I think XP support doesn't end until 2014.

Microsoft Pledges Windows XP Support Through 2014 - Windows - Operating system - Informationweek

I'll probably be holding on to XP until the bitter end.

 

[Major Tom]

I think XP support doesn't end until 2014.

Microsoft Pledges Windows XP Support Through 2014 - Windows - Operating system - Informationweek

I'll probably be holding on to XP until the bitter end.

+!

The only other things that have caused me to upgrade OS in the past have been the need for a feature that my existing OS doesn't offer (I needed to create a virtual private network a few years ago, so had to upgrade from W2000 to XP Pro) or a piece of software that will no longer operate under a particular OS.

I have a feeling I'll be saying goodbye to XP Pro in 2014.

 

[REWahoo]

Just curious...does Open Office work ok with MS 7?

Yes.

 

[TromboneAl]

Re a calendar app, Google calendar works great for me.

 

[Nords]

Just curious...does Open Office work ok with MS 7? Also if you want an e-mail client to replace Outlook is Thunderbird a good choice and what calendar add on might be best? Thanks again for input!

1. Flawlessly. Although I'd recommend using LibreOffice instead, since OpenOffice is quietly being starved to death by Oracle and most of the programmers have moved on to LO.
2. Thunderbird is great. I have 15 years of e-mail from several different providers all backed up to T-Bird. I use e-mail online but run T-Bird every month or so to synch a backup.
3. Google Calendar seems to be the best of the calendar bunch, although there's an active developer's forum working on calendar enhancements to Thunderbird.

 

[FocusedInfinity]

I'd recommend not upgrading your OS unless you're upgrading your hardware too. If the hardware is meeting your needs, then don't waste your money.

Most people I've helped make the move from XP to Win 7 has involved the move from 32bit to 64bit. Although XP has a 64bit version it wasn't widely adopted. That allows for virtually unlimited RAM rather than the 3.6ish GB you're capped at. If you're only using office and a web browser, you're not likely going to need it. It also provides better support for SSD drives and the like. One thing to keep in mind is paripherials like printers. If you move to 64 bit, a lot of manufacturers did not release 64 bit drivers meaning you could have to replace an older printer as well. I also think W7 is much more user friendly. It does things proactively like defragging your hard drive. Much better driver support, etc.

If you're also the kind of person who gets angry when the next version comes out - W8 isn't far off. W7 is tried and true to me and I can't predict if W8 is going to be solid or another W ME/Vista.

 

[Walt34]

I've (almost) always taken the position that it's best to stay with OS you have until it won't do what you want it to or it won't run software that you want it to.

Of course, this is a guy who was running Win98 until about two years ago. And the computer running that came with Win3.1 installed. So I'll probably be using Win7 until I'm 80.

 

[JakeBrake]

I'd recommend not upgrading your OS unless you're upgrading your hardware too. If the hardware is meeting your needs, then don't waste your money.

Most people I've helped make the move from XP to Win 7 has involved the move from 32bit to 64bit. Although XP has a 64bit version it wasn't widely adopted. That allows for virtually unlimited RAM rather than the 3.6ish GB you're capped at. If you're only using office and a web browser, you're not likely going to need it. It also provides better support for SSD drives and the like. One thing to keep in mind is paripherials like printers. If you move to 64 bit, a lot of manufacturers did not release 64 bit drivers meaning you could have to replace an older printer as well. I also think W7 is much more user friendly. It does things proactively like defragging your hard drive. Much better driver support, etc.

If you're also the kind of person who gets angry when the next version comes out - W8 isn't far off. W7 is tried and true to me and I can't predict if W8 is going to be solid or another W ME/Vista.

I have an 8 year old Dell desktop with XP Pro Service Pack 3. Recently, the PC appeared to have crashed when I logged on. I left the PC for awhile and when I came back the PC had loaded. I logged off and retried a couple of times. Then I picked up my trusty, corded, land line phone and called Dell tech support. I had to pay for this since my PC is way out of warranty. I was on the phone so long I felt like I had developed a personal relationship with the tech support rep. She said she was in Manila and spoke better English than I do. She waited while I opened the PC case and swapped RAM cards. The diagnosis was that one of the RAM cards had failed. She ordered and sent new RAM cards that increased my RAM to the XP maximum. This seems to have cured that problem.

Another problem with my XP is that it will not recognize SDHC cards 8gb and above. They work fine in DW's laptop with Windows 7. Microsoft says there is a hotfix for this, but it only applies to XP SP2 and not to my XP SP3. When I try to download the hotfix, it says I do not need it.

 

[easysurfer]

In my earlier days, I wanted the latetest and greatest. But now, I resigned to the fact that those getting the latest and greatest are also the guinea pigs for the system. Today, I'd rather stick with the old and steady until it no longer meets my needs.

On keeping the OS clean, every so often when the system is running so sluggish, I make sure I have the data stored externally, then do a restore of the system from a clean, stable backup. Just did that the other day to my Win XP home system and now it's runny smoothly for the time being.

 

[Goonie]

The desktop and laptop that I use the most both have XP on them, and I use OpenOffice, and an OLD version of EudoraPro for email (that was hacked using a keygen about a decade ago).

Heck, I still have one computer that's running WindowsNT that I don't use hardly ever anymore, but has my AutoCad program on it. And out in my workshop I still have an Ooooold 486 running MSDOS 7.2 and Windows 3.1, that I use for writing notes and keeping track of the collection of my hobby stuff. I back that up to a 3.5" floppy and then "sync" that onto my desktop.

I'm thinking about a major upgrade in the shop this year! I might move my 14 year old Dell laptop (w/ WinXP & a wifi card) out there, and retire the 486 from active duty. Haha!

 

[MovingtotheCove]

Thanks for all the great input.....!! Will keep my XP Pro Serv. Pak 3 going on all machines for now and use Office 2003 and Open Office!

 

[target2019]

Another problem with my XP is that it will not recognize SDHC cards 8gb and above. They work fine in DW's laptop with Windows 7. Microsoft says there is a hotfix for this, but it only applies to XP SP2 and not to my XP SP3. When I try to download the hotfix, it says I do not need it.

It could be the power requirements of the SDHC card. Still, you're stymied.

 

[target2019]

I support a lot of XP systems, and have a few at home. WIn7 was so fast on my dual-processor notebook when new. MS fixed that with a hundred or more updates.

Don't upgrade to Win7 on old hardware. Take your time and identify a reliable PC or notebook, and go from there.

 

[eytonxav]

XP Pro user here. When present desktop dies, I'm going switch to either a MacBook Pro or iMac.