Hail the fanfares! Release the beast! It's Windows XP! The oppo system no-one will be able to crack! Released on the Monday, cracked copies available by the Wednesday.
I do, however, use a genuine copy of XP - the edit already loaded onto my new HP Pavilion.
Now Windows 98 edit 1 and 2 crashed for a past time, ME was a bit touch and go - if you got a good edit, you never had a problem. If you had a bad edit, you were lucky if it ran for an hour before going pop.
So my hopes for XP were unsurprisingly low. I will admit, it is a lot more stable than ME and '98, but it still seems - like all the rest of the more recent oppo's released by Microsoft to be nothing more than '95 with fancy bits.
The interface is a lot more user-friendly, it's runtime is quick and the graphics aren't as garish as usual.
But it does still like to throw itself from a tall building every now and again. The free patches from Microsoft do seem to be solving most of the holes I've found in XP, but I still can't get Media Player to play a CD without jumping, stopping or refusing part of the disc when I start running too many other programs.
I've cleaned the CD drive, I've cleaned the disc, I've changed the CD drive, but it hasn't made a bit of difference. Good ol' Windows!
XP can be picky about it's drivers too. When I tried to install an older printerto see if it still worked, I had to spend ages trawling the net to find the exact drivers for said printer. After being unable to find them, out came the Dingly Dell with '95 on it, plugged in the printer and used a set of drivers already loaded in with the oppo system and a happy, smiling printer was given a new lease of life. By the way, the printer did still work. Deep joy, I knew you'd be pleased to know that one.
System Recovery - there's a nice sounding bit of kit. Summary: When XP shouts 'No way!' and self destructs, SR is supposed to allow you to restore your computer to a previous point in time, i.e. before the crash. Fine, so long as you don't mind either backing the system up yourself every day or having to select a date anything up to two weeks previous to the crash if XP is left to backup on its own. For some things, once a fortnight just isn't enough...
This review isn't trying to discourage people from using XP, I just want to make people aware of the problems when you start pushing XP to anything faster than a slow canter.
As Windows seems to be the industry standard for software now, I would have to recommend it to users and as far as Microsoft's oppo systems go, it is one of the better ones. It is quicker, it does look better, it is more customizable with regard not only to the appearence but to the security levels for different users and system recovery should your system crash (See? Even Microsoft knew it was a pile of pants and put something in to bail you out when, not if, things went a bit pear-shaped!).
Just be aware that until you have received those wonderfully free patches from B Gates & co, you are more than likely to come across more than a couple of problems.
I don't know how much XP costs to buy seperately, but if it's anything like previous Microsoft attempts, it isn't totally worth it, considering Linux - Window's main rival - is free and a lot more reliable and customizable. (This doesn't seem the place for a discussion on Linux, check out reviews in the Linux section of ciao for that!)
UPDATED 21/9/03
My system has now 'forgotten' some of its coding from a file it incorrectly deleted last time it crashed on me. The worst part is that there is no way to recover said file. Also, I have several patches Microsoft-in-the-head recommend I download that won't install!
One other point worth noting about the recent Blaster worm and its new variant that is due to hit users this week (from the date of this update) only attacks Wind-blows Xtremely Pants users. Anyone using 95, 98, 98SE, 2000, NT or Me are supposedly immune to this worm as these operating systems do not carry the same flaws and vulnerabilities as XP. Microsoft as yet do not have a patch to stop this new worm, but are said to be 'Looking into the problem'. How good of them.
Where did I put that Linux CD...?
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
good op but you left out the tech fundimentals: pricing (upgrade and full version), availibility, min. hardware spec. needed to install, there is no explaination as to what these service packs you mentions are, no mention of the new functionality (or versioning) included with the software. Let me know if (when) u add more detail and I will gladly re-rate higher. :) xx E
shaoli2 12.11.2003 12:39
I us XP home, and it crashes continuosly...
SandyG 29.10.2003 14:16
Not one of my favourite subjects. I work in software testing and Microsoft cause me no end of problems. As soon as you manage to work around the existing flaws, they bring out a new version which does things completely differently. Great op! Sandra.
Advantages: Faster and better looking operating system that is easy to repair/resore Disadvantages: poor driver and software support, unsurity on security
Advantages: internet Explorer 6, Windows Media Player 8, More Reliable, Compatible with nearly everything, it looks and feels great, Totally Customizible Disadvantages: Costs around £75
Nov 22nd, 2002
(Sep 21st, 2003)
very helpful by (85%):
helpful by (15%):
