Computer OS Question

[Zudnick]

Hello,



Well, this isn’t the first place I’d think of to post a computer question, but it’s the website I visit most often and I’ve noticed lots of other computer based questions being posted, so here goes…



I have an older computer (from 2000) that works perfectly but it uses the Windows Millennium Edition operating system. This operating system is now obsolete -- there’s no support for it anymore and most new software won’t run with it anymore.



I also have a newer computer that came with Windows XP, and I am wondering if I can load XP onto my older computer using the XP CD that came with my newer computer?



I guess technically I would be running two computers on Windows XP using only one licence and activation code… Is this possible?



Thanks for the help.





Z

 

[Caleb Hendry]

It would really depend on what type of disk came with the newer computer. If it is a restore disk you would not be able to load the OS onto another computer. If it is a Windows XP disk with a license key provided then you would. If you have the later the licensing key should be in the paperwork you got with your newer computer. New computers normally now come with a reformat disk only.



C

 

[Casey B]

Caleb is right, if it is a restore disc it will not work on a second computer with different hardware. In short, it is possible to run on both computers if it is a retail or oem bought disc. You will run into update issues though. I would suggest buying an OEM disc (upgrades to XP pro +/- $90). Since your computer had ME on it, check your hardware compatibility before buying.

 

[biznaga]

Go to COMPUSA and get XP for $40.00

 

[George C]

Windows XP that you get with a new computer will usually make you activate it. If the computers are both the same brand you may be able to do it but otherwise you need to upgrade. If you have a copy of Windows 2000 you can throw that on there and there is no activation needed. It is not "legal" but will work.



George

 

[Curt NA]

Not legal, but if the restore disc from the newer computer is the same brand as the older computer (e.g. new computer is a Dell and the older computer is a Dell), it will work. The restore discs look for the manufacturer in the BIOS, with no activation needed.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

I'd check out the Ubuntu website. I don't think XP will perform on a computer that old without upgrades. Ubuntu has a "light" version designed for slower computers. It is a free program too.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Q, have you tried Ubuntu?

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Q, So that's a YES?



P.S. I find it hard to believe you. All flavors of Linux and Unix is a huge list.



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Kewl...but Q, since the beginning of time, the flavors of Unix and Linux probably number in the dozens if not hundreds.



Have you ever used IBM's AIX? Or Concurrent's RedHawk? Or Lindows?



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Q,



Sorry, Q, I never wanted an argument of semantics. Words have meanings. When people say or type them I expect them to have the meanings which are common.



I asked you if you tried Ubuntu, to which you answered indirectly (talk about "semantics") by saying that you have tried "all flavors of Unix and Linux".



If I take that answer literally, then I have to assume that means you HAVE tried Ubuntu. But clearly as we discuss the matter, it becomes clear that you probably haven't actually tried "all flavors" of Unix and Linux.



So, now I have to ask again...



Have you tried Ubuntu?









P.S. Having used many flavors of Unix and Linux, I too would have never recommended them for a regular PC user...that was UNTIL I used Ubuntu and since Google has provided GoogleDocs. Those two in concert make for a compelling combo for anyone who needs an OS for internet surfing and simple document generation (which is what many use a 2nd, older-model computer for).





Zudnick, if you want to upgrade your old PC to an OS that will provide Internet access and document creation, then Ubuntu might be for you. If you go that route, however, you will have to limit all your new windows apps to your new computer. Chances are they would run like a pig on your old computer anyway, even if you did get it up to XP.



TJR

 

[Dale Carlson]

Two things:



1. Almost any computer that came loaded with WinME will run WinXP without any problems (The reason is computer manufacturers designed and built their machines to WinXP specs, expecting to install WinXP. When Microsoft was late with WinXP, they released that piece o' crap WinME, which got installed into all those WinXP-spec machines). You didn't say Z, but I'd guess that computer of yours probably has a 700-900 Mhz CPU in it, with either 128 or 256MB of RAM - well within specs for WinXP (but if you can, install at least 512MB RAM).



2. I'm not sure how this happened, but I agree with TJR. Ubuntu is a fine Linux distro. It's been designed for use by non-geeks. I've used it. Works great. However, if your machine has proprietary hardware in it (and where an open-source driver has not been released), installing any version of Linux on it could be problematic. Only one way to (easily) find out though, and that's to give it a shot. And why not, it's free!

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Kefguy,



Another point: Ubuntu's distro CD will work just fine when booted from your computer's CD drive and you can run from there. If all works well in that mode (though it will be slower than when installed on your HDD), then you should be reasonably assured that there are no device issues and can perform the install with piece of mind. A true "try before you buy"...and the buy is painless too, since it's free.





P.S. I'm about to install WinXP on an old PIII 600Mhz HP Pavilion that was labeled by HP to NOT support ME or XP. But I am sure it will work.



TJR

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I agree with that, Q. If you need to run windows programs, Ubuntu or any other Linux is not for you.



Also, Q, Zudnick said he already bought another computer. He is just trying to update his old ME computer to make it more productive. He did say he was having trouble running newer Windows apps on it, and as you said, and I have said, even if he can upgrade the old computer to XP, the newer apps might not run "well".



I offered the advice I did because I have seen many, many people do just what I said:



- take their old computer (circa 2000 to 2002, PIII, 600MHz to 1Ghz)

- install Ubuntu

- use GoogleDocs or OpenOffice

- and use the PC primarily for net surfing and some doc work



It's a perfectly good use for older computers, even for relatively novice users. So much so, I have recommended this approach to dozens of people, and it has breathed new life into their old, second (or third), backup computers. The end result is a low maintenance, internet terminal, that doesn't need AV. Everyone I have steered in this direction has thanked me.



But as you say, if Zudnick needs to run Windows apps, Ubuntu isn't for him, and as I have said, if he needs to run the latest and greatest Windows apps, than his older computer probably isn't up to the challenge anymore. So what's one to do with that boat anchor?



TJR

 

[Zudnick]

Hey,



Wow, thanks for all the replies!



Both machines were bought from Dell. The old one was bought in 2000 and came loaded with Windows ME. It’s a Pentium III at 933 MHz and 256MB of RAM. The new one was bought a year or so ago and it came loaded with XP.



My wife and I have a fitness business; doing outdoor boot camps, strength & conditioning for athletes and some personal training. I also do some voice-over announcing work from home. So, both computers are used for fairly basic home business things – internet, email, MS Office, MS Money, basic photo editing as well as some fairly simple audio editing work.



I have had no problems with the old machine as far as reliability, it’s just that there’s almost no new software or even updates to software that I already have that will work with this OS.



I just didn’t want to screw up one, or both, computers by trying to install XP on two different units with only one licence.



I still don’t think I know what I’m going to do…





Z