Are You Still Using Windows XP?

Discussion in 'polls' started by appster, Mar 8, 2015.

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Are You Still Using Windows XP?

  1. Yes, because of legacy PC support issues with Windows Vista/7/8

    6.9%
  2. Yes, because I simply prefer Windows XP to Windows Vista/7/8

    12.1%
  3. Yes, because of another reason (please reveal in post)

    21.6%
  4. No, I replaced/upgraded my legacy PC with Windows Vista/7/8

    41.4%
  5. No, I switched from Windows XP to Linux

    7.8%
  6. No, other (please reveal in post)

    10.3%
  1. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

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    I forgot all about XYPlorer. I think I still have it. Thanks for the reminder. If I recall, there's also an XP compatible version of NDN, Necromancers DOS Navigator that works quite well as a command shell.
     
  2. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

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    What about removing Windows components from the SYSOC.INF file? Delete the "HIDE" and leave commas.
    Currently I have 2 instances of svchost running. More Windows apps need removing though.
    There is also Mini Windows XP - Portable Windows XP that runs from CD/USB/Ram Drive to repair/recover dead windows operating system.
     
    Last edited: Mar 31, 2015
  3. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

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    I wouldn't attempt to advise you regarding that file. I don't understand its function or syntax well enough to try. As long as you make a full system backup before you experiment on it, you're safe. Looking at the virtual XP that I'm experimenting with, nothing I've done has altered that file.
     
  4. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

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    The sysoc.inf is described as setup information file that shows hidden components when you open up
    Windows XP Add/Remove Windows components. There you'll find stuff like Windows Messenger, MSN Explorer, Pinball, Word Pad, and more.
    There is though from what I've read about it a statement that one should be careful
    about what you should remove from this inf file.
    Always good idea to have backups in place.
     
  5. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

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    @noone_particular
    In Add and Remove Programs > Windows XP Add/Remove Windows Components > Network Services > Internet
    Gateway Device Discovery and Control Client. (allows you to find & control Internet connection sharing hardware
    and software that uses UPnP) Do you have this and is it checked or unchecked?
     
  6. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

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    No. None of the items listed under Network Services are installed. On the virtual unit, none of them seem necessary.
     
  7. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

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    So just to clarify you have no items listed under Network Services or there are items listed there but unchecked?
    (not installed)
     
  8. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

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    Everything in that section is unchecked, not installed.
     
  9. Compu KTed

    Compu KTed Registered Member

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    Okay, thanks. Also have all items listed there unchecked. Actually most items listed in Add/Remove Windows
    Components have been unchecked and everything seems to function properly.
     
  10. Slink489

    Slink489 Registered Member

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    No. I'll keep XP until my last backup system (Hardware) stops. Besides the growing price of Windows, privacy erosion, and DRM, why does billy boy and his clan think that if you pay for the OS, install the OS, that somehow he and his clan OWNS your computer? No. Billy boy, YOU don't OWN my computor regardless of the EULA!

    Details? Why waste my time typing that crap since someone already did. Its all over the net.

    My next full blown OS using modern hardware is likely Linux based. So long windows, we had a good run.
     
  11. wat0114

    wat0114 Registered Member

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    No, I switched from Windows XP to Linux. Windows 7 I use rarely nowadays.
     
  12. x942

    x942 Guest

    I have used linux for the past 10 years give or take. But I need to be able to use windows for certain things, most of the windows stuff has moved to windows 8 but I have one windows XP VM for a couple of old school games that don't run on anything else. The VM isn't networked and neither is the host.
     
  13. jwcca

    jwcca Registered Member

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    No, I finally found a replacement for an app that only ran on XP so the box is now just a physical backup of hardware should I lose the MB/system running W7.
     
  14. Slink489

    Slink489 Registered Member

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    Actually, 'Old School Games' is precisely the reason I'll keep XP until the hardware blows out. I could be wrong as I haven't checked, but I thought I read somewhere that many old school windows games could indeed be run under Linux with fairly good results. A paid for "Wine" implementation perhaps? So what exactly does 'Old School Games' actually mean? Let me count some ways in no order.

    1. Don't need or require the internet!!!
    2. Minimal or acceptable DRM that doesn't need the internet.
    3. Patches and updates can be manually downloaded and installed. Internet use isn't tied to the machine or an account.
    4. Modern Windows versions resist running these games. On purpose perhaps to enforce software life cycle. Which is total MS b*llshit. Code isn't alive!
    5. Minimual hardware needed. More often then not, good games don't require flashy 3D or multiple $1000 video cards.
    6. Invasive, privacy eroding, and possible security related issues with modern DRM tactics non-existent. Greedy Bastards.
    7. o_O

    Eh, can't think of more right now.
     
  15. luciddream

    luciddream Registered Member

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    Good points Slink. Lately I've compartmentalized things, so to speak. I have an old box (Dimension 3000) with XP Pro dedicated only to the things you mention, offline. Retro gaming/emulators, other old/DOS games, other multimedia. It's basically a versatile console. And then also have an XP/Debian VM'd combo system hardened to h.. and back, built for a different purpose with only stuff/apps on it I need for that purpose.

    And also a Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit setup that I'm still getting my feet wet with, but I feel pretty good about. I certainly would trust it with my life, or my privacy though. But against malware/intrusion other than from 3 letter agencies I do. It's a new machine and to get the most out of the hardware/drivers I have to use at least Win7. I often connect it to a big LED TV via HDMI and want everything to look & sound pristine when I do. It is versatile as I'll game (new & old) and surf with it... just about anything. But I know it's limitations too.

    I think it's gotten to the point where it's a good idea anyway to consider this type of approach. I won't say "necessary". But if I had to choose just 1 OS to do everything on, XP would be it.
     
  16. MisterB

    MisterB Registered Member

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    I use Xp online with no real security worries. It is what I use for all of my forum posting among other things. My Xp systems are well imaged and locked down. I am still learning new things and something I learn in Xp usually applies to newer versions of Windows. I've just finished setting up several Xp Vms which I will use online for some time to come. I had multiple unused Xp Product keys that I've been using for this. Due to its fairly minimal resource use compared to Vista and newer versions of Windows, Xp makes a good system for VMs.
     
  17. StillBorn

    StillBorn Registered Member

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    http://www.techradar.com/us/news/so...emaining-windows-xp-users-to-upgrade--1270027

    Assuming there's no hardware issues at stake, it will be interesting to see if this thread is still in circulation a year from now. A chance to leap ahead to the latest and greatest (always debatable) Windows OS-- for free.
    I'll wager a year from now and in spite of all the GUI complaints, internal glitches, etc.; at least 85% of all Wilders posters (and the world at large) will be @ Win 10. Simply because it's new, current, and FREE.
    After all, who can resist those fake leather seats, that new automatic transmission that may or may not self-implode three years from now, and that new car smell (gasp!).

    For better or worse, Microsoft will succeed in garnishing their needed new market share with their newest and FREE operating system to date. What could be worse? Win11? Win12? As always, time will tell. At least our greatest consolation at that point will be whether or not to pay or pass on proposed updates and remain current and relevant from a security point of view.

    Edit: After a brief bit of bouncing around the web, does Windows even offer the "free" update to XP users? Perhaps a case in point. Is updating really that essential? I'm on Win7 and will take that leap of faith, regardless. It was only a matter of months ago when I clutched on to XP and thought otherwise.
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2015
  18. chrisretusn

    chrisretusn Registered Member

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    I had to change my vote to "Yes, because of another reason (please reveal in post)" Kind of cool you can do that I might add. :)

    At an organization I belong to we were using PCLinuxOS on our PC. All was going well until we had to do our taxes. The BIR put a new requirement out that all returns had to be submitted using their program. Guess which OS was needed. Windows of course. That not a dig on Windows. I tried to get this program to work in PCLinuxOS but really did not want to invest a lot of time trying. This PC is a Pentium 4 with limited memory. Windows 7 (and of course above) will not run on it. We really do not have the funds to buy a new PC. I own a few copies of Windows XP Pro SP2 so I wiped and installed Windows XP. It was like a trip down memory lane. That said it was not all done at install completion. Needed to install SP3 and IE 8 for the correct ActiveX for the BIR tax program. All is well now.
     
  19. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Did you try simply installing it in wine or installing XP in a VM?
     
  20. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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    How does one install XP in wine?....I don't even know what wine is. Do you need to get XP reregistered? I have a retail version of XP Pro XP2. I have only ever installed it the one time in my present custom desktop setup, back in 2007.
     
  21. noone_particular

    noone_particular Registered Member

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    Wine is a layer that can be installed on linux. It enables the user to run software designed for Windows on linux. The user wouldn't install XP itself on Wine. They would install the needed Windows application. Wine doesn't completely substitute for Windows. It doesn't run all Windows software but it will run quite a bit of it. When I was trying out linux, I used Wine to run Proxomitron. It ran quite well.
     
  22. Behold Eck

    Behold Eck Registered Member

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    Yes I have XP on a desktop for music and printing as it has a really good sound card installed.It`s also on some storage computers and one for testing.

    Regards Eck:)
     
  23. Reality

    Reality Registered Member

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    I want to keep using XP as long as I can. Can any XP users tell me what is the last known compatible hardware (the higher end the better) that will run XP. Not thinking in terms of a system like Dells or whatever, but component-wise, like motherboards etc. I know the main issue is drivers and the 4GB RAM thing. Also I believe something to do with IDE and SATA issues.
     
  24. MisterB

    MisterB Registered Member

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    I've got an i7 quad core 2010 Lenovo laptop. It came with Windows 7 but Xp 64 bit is supported and Lenovo has drivers for it. Xp VMs just fly on it so a native XP install should be even faster. The 4gb ram limit is for 32 bit OSes, so Xp 64 bit would handle the maximum it supports which is 32gb.
     
  25. Reality

    Reality Registered Member

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    Thanks for your answer MisterB :thumb:. Sorry I should have specified I'm not a laptop person. What about desktop? I was thinking i7. Now the kicker is my Install disks are 2002 and 32 bit. Assuming 64 bit was out then ( :doubt: ) I would doubt they would have both on the same install disk, right? So far the store I dealt with all those years ago, are making all good noises in the right direction about activation and so-forth regarding my recent hardware issues, which we discussed a few days back.
     
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