Windows 2000 vs. Windows XP

[Kain]

Which, in your opinion, is the better Operating System for my PC? Why?

[The Baron]

Win2K would probably be cleaner off the bat, but WinXP would do just as well or better if you tweak it a bit...

[Kain]

Thanks.

Which is more system dependant? Will Windows 2000 run faster on my PC?

[lame duck]

win2k is crap!
xp all the way - looks better, more stable, faster, can't beat it!

[Kain]

Originally posted by lame duck
win2k is crap! Reasons??

[netviper13]

For me I prefer XP because of its better multimedia integration. Sure you can get all those features with Win2k, but I am lazy and I like it set up for me off the bat.

One thing I dislike about XP is the default interface, but that's always the first thing I change after re-installing.

[The Baron]

WinXP is Win2K with a different interface and a few new services. To be honest, if you can get WinXP Pro or Win2K for the same price, you should probably go with whichever's cheaper (or WinXP Pro if they're the same).

[Kain]

I can get (install) Windows 2000 for free because my dad can borrow the CD from work. But, I'll have to buy Windows XP if I want that.

So, I should go for Windows 2000?

[The Baron]

Give Win2K a shot. If it works for you, bingo, you're set. WinXP offers no real improvements over Win2k.

[DenverBuc]

I just upgraded from W2K to XP over the weekend.

XP is much faster in booting up and in launching programs. I have even noticed that within games certain things are faster like in Battlefield 1942 when a server switches maps and you load the next map, it is MUCH faster up to three times faster at times.

Bootup is around 40-45 seconds for me now under XP.

Both are VERY stable.

My advice would be to pick what is more important to you - price or faster bootup and program launches. Let that be your decision point.

I liked W2K very much, but now I like XP just as much.

By the way, one last word of advice - CLEAN INSTALLS ONLY. Don't do the upgrade over a current OS - that process almost killed me and I ended up reformatting and installing clean anyway.

[saturnotaku]

On your particular system, Windows 2000 would probably be the better choice. XP can be a bit of a system hog. Just make sure with Windows 2000 you have the latest service pack ready to install - that will provide a ton of bug fixes and compatibility updates.

Word of warning, though - if you like to play older games, you may still have compatibility problems with Windows 2000. For example, Need for Speed: High Stakes absolutely refuses to even install on Windows 2000. I can get it to work in XP, though after using a few tricks.

Edit: I noticed you only have 256 mb of RAM. While XP typically runs fine on 256, Windows 2000 does much better. My analogy with this is Windows 2000 runs on 256 how XP does on 512.

[volt]

Originally posted by Kain
I can get (install) Windows 2000 for free because my dad can borrow the CD from work. But, I'll have to buy Windows XP if I want that.

So, I should go for Windows 2000?

You do a lot of multimedia work? Video / picture editing etc.
If you only play games and do some simple application work, no need for XP. Some say XP is better for gaming, but I have yet to prove that :)

[Kain]

I only play games, send pictures from my digital camera to my PC, and use Microsoft Office.

[Kain]

By the way, will I have to install the VIA 4-in-1 drivers if I installing Windows 2000?

[volt]

Originally posted by Kain
By the way, will I have to install the VIA 4-in-1 drivers if I installing Windows 2000?

Yes you will have to. You don't want random reboots and sucky Hard Drive performance :p

VIA's drivers install automatically in XP but they are pretty much outdated as far as I know.

[saturnotaku]

They may be outdated for newer (KT333/KT400 chipsets) but the stock 4-in-1 drivers that come with XP (based on 4.32 if I'm not mistaken) are excellent for older VIA chipsets. I used the stock XP drivers with my KT133A and didn't have a problem.

[Kain]

Thanks.

So, when I do a fresh install of Windows 2000, the first thing I do when Windows 2000 has installed is install the latest VIA 4-in-1 driver, right?

[volt]

Originally posted by Kain
Thanks.

So, when I do a fresh install of Windows 2000, the first thing I do when Windows 2000 has installed is install the latest VIA 4-in-1 driver, right?

Correct. At least do that before you start any game.

Saturn...
That is not always true. I had to find particular release that would actually work and not hang my system. It's an old AMD system with KT133X chipset. I have yet to find the newest drivers or XP drivers to work as good as the ones I found.

In most cases the newest drivers provide very poor hard drive performance on my system.

[Kain]

Thanks!

[VeritechK7]

I had to give up my 256 stick of ram to my brother so my sister would either have one or both of his 128 sticks. WEll either way that's the primary reason why im on win2k. NIce and fast and all, but i do like xp 's power options over 2k. I have this god brother who's going to be three soon, and he's quite computer literate for his age (word and all, as well as turning on and off the computer[reading the keys on the keyboard] )and every now and hten he'd turn off a computer or two.. . But yeah primary reason why i'm on 2k. I reinstalled last time but will reinstall again (repetitive? yeah Tedious? yeah but worth it. I wanna trace all my steps and do everything right)

[styles-T]

I honestly didnt see any difference in speed..It was pretty much the same thing other than the Bloatware XP has..