Which OS to use?

[Eaglestrike]

So I'll be getting a new computer in the next few days and I'm not sure what to do with the OS. My old/now broken computer had XP Pro, I should be able to get that up fine on my new computer. I also hope that my old HD will still work as it has some anime downloaded I'd rather not download again anyway, and then of course there's Vista. So should I:

1) Use old/current XP Pro.
2) Use old HD to download Vista and install it on old HD and dual-boot (would need a how on this, I once setup a Linux/2000 dual boot setup but it's been a long long time)
3) Get Vista and start everything from scratch on that.

My computer specs will be high, 2.2Ghz dual core processors, 4GB ram, 512MB card, etc. You can see my other thread for specs as I pretty much linked everything I got in there (or someone else did). I want to move to Vista but a friend of mine who has done so reverted back to XP after having lots of issues, so not really sure which I should go with. Thanks for the help.

[Vyvian]

Vista has unusual compatability problems, still being new, even after service pack 1.

You weren't specific as to your hardware vendors, but remember the sticky
A vista system with: An Intel Processor, and an Nvidia graphics card, Lags in FFXI. Some people have worked around it using 169.17, but not everyone. There are other potential application incompatibilities, on top of the fact that the vista interface is very different, and very annoying, including annoying features like User Account Control.

You have the specs to run vista without any slowness, so that isn't an issue.

Short version: too many annoyances with vista, stick with XP.

[Isiolia]

If you want to use all of your RAM, you'll need to use Vista or 64-bit XP. Basically, though a 32-bit OS can address 4GB of RAM maximum, Windows uses the top addresses to write to your video memory and the like. So you'll effectively get 3GB, possibly a little more depending on the devices you have.

Using your old XP license (assuming it was legal in some way) may be a problem depending on what type of license you have. If it's an OEM code, then it may not activate on your new hardware.

Personally I would install XP Pro on a new HD and then put in the old one to snag things off of at your leisure. Really depends on what you have for hardware and needs for Vista. Works fine for some, others have headaches. You'll have enough RAM and the like that it shouldn't be crappy to use if you want to. I'd stick with XP though.

[sekaran]

You can disable UAC. Makes the Vista experience much better.

I have no issues with Vista x64.. and that's even worse off compatibility wise. I had more issues with XP than I did Vista actually.. but as said earlier, some get Vista to work great and some don't.

[jkim1162]

I'd recommend 64-bit Vista Home Premium OEM version since it is cheaper and you have 4GB RAM(if you don't plan on changing motherboard for a while, even then, a quick phone call to microsoft tech support will let you re-authenticate as long as you just say it is retail and it is only on 1 PC).

This is from someone coming from Windows XP Pro. I thought I would run into many problems because of all the "reviews" people gave, but I have yet to run into any problem which was not human error made on my part. Honestly, if you know what you are doing and upkeep your PC by defrag, cleaning unused files, etc, then you won't run into many problems.

If you do choose to get Vista, some things I'd recommend are:
- Turn off UAC
- Turn off automatic defrag and use the one from http://www.auslogics.com You can also use their registry defrag.
- Do some research and turn off any services you don't need. I load Vista with only 27 processes, I think default is around 40ish. http://www.speedyvista.com/services.html
- Don't turn off Readyboost service, as a sub-service called Readyboot(this does not require USB flash drive) depends on it. It basically helps you boot into windows faster.
- Some people will say to turn off superfetch, but personally I recommend to keep it on, especially since you have 4GB RAM.

Just be patient and do some research if you run into any problems. You will soon begin to realize that most errors are user related and not the OS itself.

[Eaglestrike]

And so what about pirating Vista? I have a student version of XP, already spent more than I wanted on my computer so buying an official Vista is not going to happen. Are there student Vista editions out, or would the fact that I'm pirating the OS probably make it even more of headache to get running and thus I should stick with XP?

[Cephius]

And so what about pirating Vista? I have a student version of XP, already spent more than I wanted on my computer so buying an official Vista is not going to happen. Are there student Vista editions out, or would the fact that I'm pirating the OS probably make it even more of headache to get running and thus I should stick with XP?

Of all the things to pirate, pirating the OS is a bad idea. You can't get security updates, updating service packs is a pain, not to mention you could loose functionality if you're not careful. It's a big security risk IMO, but it's up to you. I've seen enough nasty trojans and know a few people who have had their identity stolen (not that purchased OSs are immune to these things, but it does increase your chances) to not take chances. You can get OEM Vista for under $150 and OEM XP for under 100, so it's really not that much money. If you're enrolled in a university check with your IT Help Desk, they usually have deals with Microsoft for student copies.

[Isiolia]

If you're enrolled in a university check with your IT Help Desk, they usually have deals with Microsoft for student copies.

Yep, if your school has volume licensing they can probably sell you a seat on that for a lot less than retail. Software Distribution here at Virginia Tech offers Vista Ultimate for $95 to students.

Most of the time, really, pirating the OS doesn't make things harder to do. It's against MS's best interests to lock out pirated copies of Windows from crucial updates. Infected Windows causing problems is bad PR, whether or not it's a legal copy.
You do run into optional things that will verify your install though.

IMO, stay legal on software, 'specially stuff like that where you'll keep it for years.

[Eaglestrike]

If you're enrolled in a university check with your IT Help Desk, they usually have deals with Microsoft for student copies.

Yep, if your school has volume licensing they can probably sell you a seat on that for a lot less than retail. Software Distribution here at Virginia Tech offers Vista Ultimate for $95 to students.

Most of the time, really, pirating the OS doesn't make things harder to do. It's against MS's best interests to lock out pirated copies of Windows from crucial updates. Infected Windows causing problems is bad PR, whether or not it's a legal copy.
You do run into optional things that will verify your install though.

IMO, stay legal on software, 'specially stuff like that where you'll keep it for years.

Yeah I'm not going to school, and as I said in my other computer thread, I paid more than I wanted for the computer, a bit much to go and buy a legal copy of Vista. But maybe I can get my father to buy a legal copy of Vista since he's looking into a new computer himself (my family technically has a legal copy of XP, I just don't have open access to it without going through the trouble of driving 10min lol)

I generally partition my HD and keep all anime and downloads on a separate partition, so that if for some reason I need to re-install the OS I only lose a couple programs. I mostly play WoW and watch anime so it's not like I have a ton of games I'd need to re-install if the OS gets messed up. With my bigger HD I can also keep some extra stuff on the other partition to make re-installs quicker.

Also, I don't play FFXI anymore so incompatibility between FFXI and Vista doesn't effect me. Unless one of the two friends who still plays becomes so desperate they'll pay for me to play, I won't be returning either.

It would be nice if I could find a student cd key for Vista, I've had the best luck in XP after I got a student key.

[Vyvian]

If you have a copy of xp that's legit and upgrades, why even bother with vista?

Sure you can spend hours relearning the interface and "fixing" it so it isn't as annoying, but then you either have to buy at least home premium, or use a 'cracked' version which could become a problem later.

And I am using vista ultimate right now, it was a pain to get used to and set up right; it can be done, it just takes a while.

Upgrading to a new OS for no specific reason seems like bad logic in my opinion, I'm only using this now because I needed to learn the interface in case I get sent on calls to deal with new Vista machines.

[levish]

I'd go with Xp still, Vista as far as gaming offers very little and stick with 32bit xp and just leave a 50-75gb partition you can install Vista or Windows7 at some point down the line

[Shuemue]

Keep it simple. You have a perfectly good XP Pro key, you'll be secure and spend no cash. You haven't given any real indication of needing Vista. 3GB of ram available in XP will be plenty.