It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
avatar
TheJoe: Imagine if your dog died and you still took him for walks. That's what using XP today is like.
avatar
Lexor: Imagine asking small baby to take a walk outside with big wolfhound. The result could be similar to installation of Win 7 on my anciently specced PC.
Sounds like one tough baby! Have fun on Windows 7!
avatar
Lexor: Imagine asking small baby to take a walk outside with big wolfhound. The result could be similar to installation of Win 7 on my anciently specced PC.
avatar
TheJoe: Sounds like one tough baby! Have fun on Windows 7!
Yea, right.. :P
Some people like me have Windows 7 desktops, but see no reason to junk their ancient single core laptops that still run their old applications well (internet, ide, office)

Of course by all means get Win 7 if you can. It sucks to use XP imo after getting Win7 a month after release .
Post edited February 09, 2012 by Kabuto
avatar
TheJoe: Sounds like one tough baby! Have fun on Windows 7!
avatar
Lexor: Yea, right.. :P
It will run absolutely fine unless there is something wrong with your computer. Sure you might have to turn off Aero, but it will still run absolutely fine.

Just don't expect to be able to play Crysis.
I'm just putting this out here, as I'm not sure. But from what I've heard, I'm pretty sure that every machine that runs Vista can easily run Windows 7? (without some grahpical stuff, but still).

So everybody using Vista should really change.
avatar
TheJoe: They do. XP is supported until 2014 and only becomes officially obsolete in 2020.
avatar
Fenixp: Really? I thought they have dropped support altogether, but they DID stop selling it, right? Right?
Mainstream support for Windows XP has ended in 2009. Extended support will continue until 2014, but won't be of any relevance for consumers - it's mostly an offer for paid support, and private consumers have little reason to make use of it. Theoretically they could get the odd security update out of it, but I'm not sure if Microsoft is still releasing those for XP.

I don't know where TheJoe got the 2020 date from. Microsoft's official support page does not give any indication of such a date. Microsoft may have some technicalities that keep a product from being "outdated" for 6 years after support has ended completely, but that won't be of any relevance to customers either.
Post edited February 09, 2012 by Psyringe
avatar
SimonG: I'm just putting this out here, as I'm not sure. But from what I've heard, I'm pretty sure that every machine that runs Vista can easily run Windows 7? (without some grahpical stuff, but still).

So everybody using Vista should really change.
Every machine that runs Vista can run Windows 7. The system requirmements are identical. For that matter any PC that runs Vista will run faster with Win 7. Mine sure does.
Post edited February 09, 2012 by Kabuto
avatar
Psyringe: Mainstream support for Windows XP has ended in 2009. Extended support will continue until 2014, but won't be of any relevance for consumers - it's mostly an offer for paid support, and private consumers have little reason to make use of it. Theoretically they could get the odd security update out of it, but I'm not sure if Microsoft is still releasing those for XP.
Security updates will be issued to all XP users until the end of the extended support period.

About 2020, Windows 7's extended support ends in that year, and also IE9's extended support, and Silverlight 5's extended support.
avatar
TheJoe: They do. XP is supported until 2014 and only becomes officially obsolete in 2020.
avatar
Fenixp: Really? I thought they have dropped support altogether, but they DID stop selling it, right? Right?
Not all at once.

Windows XP SP3 is the only service pack level that has any support. If you don't have SP3, trying to get updates will get you a message telling you to install SP3.

"Mainstream" support for any level of XP ended in 2009. New features, non-security bug fixes, warranty support, and the like ceased then.

"Retail" sales of XP SP3 ended in 2010, and "OEM" sales ended in 2011. But nobody was selling it anymore anyway.

"Extended" support, which amounts to security updates and knowledge base access only unless you're a paying customer, will end April 8, 2014.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/products/lifecycle
XP still works great for me. I have no need for Windows 7. Sure true 64 bit and vast increase in RAM should be an improvement but I have no need for it at the moment. When I will buy a new PC I will install XP first as part of a dual-boot system since I'm so far not very impressed with how older games work with Windows 7.
avatar
Sargon: I'm so far not very impressed with how older games work with Windows 7.
you mean almost perfectly? very very few XP games don't work with 7
avatar
Fenixp: Really? I thought they have dropped support altogether, but they DID stop selling it, right? Right?
avatar
Psyringe: Mainstream support for Windows XP has ended in 2009. Extended support will continue until 2014, but won't be of any relevance for consumers - it's mostly an offer for paid support, and private consumers have little reason to make use of it. Theoretically they could get the odd security update out of it, but I'm not sure if Microsoft is still releasing those for XP.

I don't know where TheJoe got the 2020 date from. Microsoft's official support page does not give any indication of such a date. Microsoft may have some technicalities that keep a product from being "outdated" for 6 years after support has ended completely, but that won't be of any relevance to customers either.
2020 is the date Windows XP becomes "officially obsolete". Even after 2014, you will still be able to downgrade volume license versions of Windows 7 to XP, but that ability will be lost on Jan 14 2020, which is when XP becomes officially unobtainable; no new license keys will be issued and no first-hand copies will be sold. You'll be limited to £200 copies from eBay.
Most games work fine in Win7. The biggest issue is the change to 64-bit, which invalidates a lot of older non-game software if it's not designed for it. It's usually relatively easy to change it to work on a 64bit, but if the software isn't being supported any more, then you're basically out of luck. This is true of Vista 64 too though.

The other issue is that all drivers in Win 7 have to be digitally signed, which means paying MIcrosoft money for the signature. There are some programs that are designed for 98/XP that simply won't function because Win 7 won't allow their drivers to be installed. There are ways around it, but it's a hassle.

In general, however, Win 7 is a huge upgrade over XP. You should switch if possible.
avatar
Sargon: I'm so far not very impressed with how older games work with Windows 7.
avatar
wodmarach: you mean almost perfectly? very very few XP games don't work with 7
Yes, perfectly like in no stuttering sound, having to find install various third party fixes that could be infected with anything and psychedelic colours. I know there is solutions for the last problem but it is a hassle.


avatar
bevinator: snip
I'm quite content with my XP still. I can play the windows version of Heroes of Might and Magic II and not have to use the inferior DOS version that GOG sells. I don't have to find various solutions for psychedelic colours. Even GOG's King's Quest V and VI had that problem on my nephews computer, which was a surprise since they run on Dosbox.
Post edited February 09, 2012 by Sargon
avatar
bevinator: Most games work fine in Win7. The biggest issue is the change to 64-bit, which invalidates a lot of older non-game software if it's not designed for it. It's usually relatively easy to change it to work on a 64bit, but if the software isn't being supported any more, then you're basically out of luck. This is true of Vista 64 too though.
The solution is to have a dual-boot system where you use both a modern 64-bit OS and a older 32 bit OS (like XP - wink, wink!). The problem arises when it becomes so outdated that the hardware will no longer support it, like with Windows 98 now. Hopefully there will be some good emulators or virtual machines then.