End of XP?

Hi, I've heard that support for XP will be stopping either this year or the next, is this true? Surely they (MS I suppose) can't just stop 'dealing' with it? What about games etc for XP, will these become unavailable too?

I know I always lag behind cos I was using Windows 95 until the 2k's!lol. Skipped the other then got new pc with xp. Now I'm going to lag behind again aren't I, sob!

cheers

 

Microsoft won't be able to fully stop support as the business sector is still very much against upgrading although I believe the plan is to totally faze xp out by 2014

 

Rats! I hate Vista!

 

Me too! This is not good news ...

I have just been browsing around the internet thinking of updating
but can't find XP computers anywhere.

I did read somewhere that the early problems with Vista had been
sorted out. I would still rather have XP again!

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Windows 7 will be out by the time XP support ends.

 

I wouldn't touch Vista there's still too many problems with it and I wouldn't contemplate Windows 7 until it has been out for a couple of years.

This company (there are more) will build a PC to your own spec and you can choose XP as an operating system option. There's loads of on-line help to assist you in choosing your specification and they are very good on the phone too. I've had two PCs from them.

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/index.php?page=formindex&gclid=CMCeuN-h-5kCFUKK3godeDrRFQ

 

This is part of a document published on a techie site:

In addition to supporting XP through 2014, Microsoft is now actively promoting a program that allows customers to downgrade Vista systems to XP through a loophole in the company's licensing terms. Microsoft's software license allows customers who purchase a copy of Windows to install and run a previous version of the OS at no additional cost.
"It's true that we will stop selling Windows XP as a retail packaged product and stop licensing it directly to major PC manufacturers [after June 30]," wrote Veghte. "But customers who still need Windows XP will be able to get it," he said.
Beyond the downgrade program, Microsoft will continue to make Windows XP available to manufacturers of low-cost PCs incapable of running Vista through June 2010. Low cost PCs, like the Asus Eee PC, are gaining popularity in fast growing emerging markets like India and China. Without continued access XP, manufacturers of such systems would be forced to offer them with the rival Linux OS on board -- a situation Microsoft is hoping to preempt.

The company I work for have already ditched Microsoft for Linux on their latest machines because of complaints about Microsoft from customers.

 

That's a very sensible move, the French National Assembly have done it, and the Gendarmerie are on a three year changeover which will save them â?¬70,000,000.

I changed over the year before last, I don't buy any software now.

 

My brother-in-law's laptop has Vista; it has an annoying habit of closing down unannounced to install updates in the middle of an Internet session whereas my XP system asks me if I want to install updates when I choose to shut down the computer. Is this meant to be an improvement?

 

I keep an XP hardisk for use with a film scanner only, never go online with it and it won't matter if they support it or not. For everything else I use Ubuntu/Linux, free updates, free new versions and free software.
My 64bit Laptop is utterly reliable now.

 

most new computers come with the option of booting in Vista or XP (ask if unsure) I am still running XP and I am very happy with it. Trouble is glitches apart every new OS seems to require umpteen extra gigabytes of disc space just to run the thing.
My next computer may be a Mac at this rate.

 

I may be a bit late, but this default action can be changed:

Go to Control Panel, double click the 'Windows Update' icon, click on 'Change Settings' and select the most appropriate option.

 

My Time XP computer is just about grinding to a halt - so haven't managed to get on GC very often
for the past few weeks. I have even done a complete RELOAD but it's still not working very well
- 5 years well used I am told is about the life of a computer. (?)

I have also read that Time computers are rubbish from the start anyway but thought
paying £699.99 five years ago it should have been ok.

So I have been browsing - when I can get on line - and find there is a
Windows XP available at PC World - if they have one in stock!
Anybody tried this model - I would be glad of any comments before I
part with my cash

 

Personally, I'm not sure that Vista isn't an option for you. I have 3 Vista and 2 XP machines and all are working in harmony in a wireless network at home.

For home use there's not that much difference, and the SP1 update for Vista seems to have ironed out most of the initial problems. The XP machine you've quoted seems, to me, to be a bit expensive.

This: http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/106252 would appear to be a better deal, 3GB memory as opposed to 1GB and plenty of processing power. If you're using Wireless then I expect you'll have to buy a wireless USB adapter (circa £ 30 ) in addition - the spec doesn't mention wireless so I suspect it's not in-built.

If you remember the 'olden days' when XP was first introduced there was lots of opposition and 'problems' - for the most part those have vanished and it's a stable platform now. Vista might not be quite as stable yet, but it's not far off, IMHO and experience.

 

Hi Doogle

Thank you for that - I did manage to get to PCWorld this afternoon and they had a
display model of the Advent computer but I really didn't like it as there was no tower -
the computer was the 'stand' - very space saving I was told - but I didn't like it

sooo - I looked around and decided that it would have to be Vista after all - and the
one I like best is the Packard Bell in your link :thumb:
--- your advice/experience is much appreciated.

Trouble is I don't like changes but I expect I will soon get used to it.


Now waiting for my helpful son to come with me to pick it up! :D





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