Windows XP's demise - sits back; opens popcorn

[Eric The Viking]

Last week I had a Microsoft security alert update which gave the impression it was urgent so I allowed the update in.

Next time I used my scanner/printer Epson, the scanner would not work and I had to find out why, I cured it with requesting scanner default settings . Next thing I needed to replace all colour inks they were low I know but all of them at once, no way.

Don't blame Microsoft: I had an Epson printer once.

Every time I tried to print out the manuscript for my novel, it came out as complete rubbish: poorly drawn characters, transparent plot lines, terrible, clichéd dialogue, etc.

I was so upset I threw the printer away, and haven't tried to print the book since.

I've no idea how they got it to do that, but I'm definitely not having another one.

E.

 

[Mark A]

My first impressions with Ubuntu are very good - it's nicely laid out and the Chromium web browser is very rapid, even on my dinosaur of a machine.

Pleased you're pleased!

I think the as-supplied browser is actually Firefox (it was in my installer), but it is indeed faster than my Windows equivalent (on a more powerful machine).

You'll find loads of handy goodies in the "Ubuntu Software Center", including WINE, which is a Windows emulator for those troublesome "no-version-for-Linux" bits of software. I'm having a little frustration at the moment with the free version of Sketchup, as its installer is complaining about needing an XP service pack! People have made it work, however, so I'm optimistic that it can. Happily most of my other specialist programs either have very good, free alternatives (e.g. GIMP instead of Photoshop*) or already run under Linux (AfterShot, my photo workflow processor). There are a few oddities that might cause problems (Vegas Pro video editing and Sound Forge audio), but on the whole, I'm beginning to realise I've wasted quite a lot of time and money on Windows in the past.

I don't like the look of the standard Ubuntu desktop though, and on my second Linux box I've replaced it with "Xfce" from "xubuntu" It looks and behaves very much like a cross between the best bits of the 'traditional' old Windows and Mac OSX. The status bar is at the top of the screen, and the 'start' menu drops down, for example. I've had my windows machines running like that for more than ten years (to be more like Macs), so it's not strange. There's also a mac-like "dock" at the bottom. It's also significantly faster than the standard Ubuntu desktop too. I think I'll stick with it. The only drawback was that I had to install Libre Office separately, as it wasn't pre-loaded, but that took about five minutes, literally.

This particular machine is running 64-bit Ubuntu 13.10, with 4GB of memory. The main box has 8GB, but, as it's only a server, I intend to swap the memory over. It's blazing fast now, even though the processor is a lot slower than my fastest Windows box (the Linux ones have two processor cores, the big Windows box has four!), so it will fly with 8GB of RAM. Overall it cost me £140 approx, which was initially £175 with £50 cashback and shipping. To be fair, I already had a gash monitor and keyboard. The server box was £200 all-in, including a refurbished 19" flat panel and the extra memory (that one was bought on a £100 cashback scheme that's had ended when I bought the second one). So there are bargains out there.

I enquired yesterday at a local PC shop about upgrading my XP licences to Win 7. They're not Microsoft refurbishers, and weren't very interested. It would cost me around £150 for the Windows licences alone (need the Pro version), without the cost of their time. There IS a refurbisher a few miles away. I intend to get in touch to see what they can offer.

I'm beginning to think the days of 'stand-and-deliver' marketing in the software business may at last be coming to an end.

E.

*I haven't run Photoshop for about 13 years, as I've found faster and far cheaper tools to do what I need. GIMP is slow under Windows (there is a version for XP and above), but fast under Linux, and it's a very comprehensive graphics tool. There are some odd quirks, for example you 'export' to most standard file types (jpeg, png, etc.) rather than 'save' them, but I can easily live with that.

Thanks for that, Eric. I've had a play about on "Ubuntu Software Centre" but since the PC is only used for internet browsing I don't think we'll need anything other than Chromium on it. On Wednesday I called into a local computer shop and they wanted £125 to upgrade our home PC to Windows 7 (this included £40 for labour).

Mark

 

[MMUK]

£125? :shock:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Profess ... s+7+32+bit

£50 for the 32 bit Professional version. It'll take about an hour to install. You can either select "new install" which means it will re-format the HDD and you will lose any data on it, or you can select "upgrade" which will keep any files and programs already on your PC. There's no guarantee that all the programs will work but all Microsoft programs should.

It's an easy process, just put the disc in the drive, it should auto-run (it'll log you off and start doing it's stuff). If it doesn't auto-run, open "My Computer" and double click on the CD/DVD drive icon.

As a precaution, I would recommend backing up anything important to a removable drive first.

If you want a step by step as you do it, PM me for my mobile number.

Or, if you're anywhere near Cardiff / St Melons, I can put you in touch with my mate who's a Microsoft registered engineer

 

[Sheptonphil]

If they are registered refurbishers, the Windows 7 licence and disc is £23, plus £40 labour, we do the job for £70.

As there is no upgrade path from XP TO 7, it entails a backup, clean install, all drivers, restore of data and core programmes, at least two and a half hours work. No programmes can be left from one O/S to the other.

Phil

 

[nanscombe]

For the potential DIY upgraders, a step by step guide by Microsoft.

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Introduction

To upgrade your PC from Windows XP to Windows 7, you'll need to select the Custom option during Windows 7 installation. A custom installation doesn't preserve your programs, files, or settings. It's sometimes called a "clean" installation for that reason.

A custom installation is more complex, and it can sometimes take a couple of hours to complete. We created this five-step tutorial to help guide you through the entire process each step of the way.

What you need

An external hard disk. You'll need to move your files off of your PC before you install Windows 7. To make this easier, we recommend a free download called Windows Easy Transfer, which will require an external hard disk. They're readily available at electronics and office supply stores, and they provide an easy way to add additional storage space to your computer.

The original installation discs or setup files for the programs that you want to use with Windows 7. You'll need to reinstall your programs by hand after installing Windows 7. When you run Windows Easy Transfer you will get a report that lists the programs that you are currently using with Windows XP.
...

 

[Mark A]

£125? :shock:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Profess ... s+7+32+bit

£50 for the 32 bit Professional version. It'll take about an hour to install. You can either select "new install" which means it will re-format the HDD and you will lose any data on it, or you can select "upgrade" which will keep any files and programs already on your PC. There's no guarantee that all the programs will work but all Microsoft programs should.

It's an easy process, just put the disc in the drive, it should auto-run (it'll log you off and start doing it's stuff). If it doesn't auto-run, open "My Computer" and double click on the CD/DVD drive icon.

As a precaution, I would recommend backing up anything important to a removable drive first.

If you want a step by step as you do it, PM me for my mobile number.

Or, if you're anywhere near Cardiff / St Melons, I can put you in touch with my mate who's a Microsoft registered engineer

Thanks for the offer! The problem is a) the office is in Liverpool, and b) I'd rather let someone else do it in case it goes wrong and I get blamed! I'd happily experiment on my own computer but the business PCs are too important to tinker with.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks all above for that advice on upping to W7.

Can I get away with using a W7 program disk from my wifes computer if she is ditching that one and put on one of my old xp desktops?

 

[JohnPW]

I feel there's some amount of scaremongering from those with vested interests; from Microsoft of course and all those who want us all to constantly upgarde this and that. In some cases there some improvements or more features but most of it is just useless bloatware which slows down your computer which means you have to get a more powerful computer to compensate.

If you must stop using XP then I suggest Linux. There's no reason why you have to pay for an operating system unless you're forced to because when you buy a new computer it already has Windows on it. But the biggest problem with Linux is getting devices to work due to a lack of drivers, eg I couldn't get my TV tuner to work with Linux although my printers and scanners do work.

I'm typing this on a 2009 netbook with XP Service Pack 3 that has never ever been updated. If a website can put some code/software on your computer without your explicit consent then there's must be something fundmently wrong with Windows itself. Don't allow CDs, DVDs, external drives etc to automatically run when you insert them, install Noscript on Firefox and only allow Javascript on a site by site basis, don't open attachments unless you know what they are, don't download anything with a .exe unless you know what they are.

 

[RogerS]

I feel there's some amount of scaremongering from those with vested interests; from Microsoft of course and all those who want us all to constantly upgarde this and that. In some cases there some improvements or more features but most of it is just useless bloatware which slows down your computer which means you have to get a more powerful computer to compensate.

If you must stop using XP then I suggest Linux. There's no reason why you have to pay for an operating system unless you're forced to because when you buy a new computer it already has Windows on it. But the biggest problem with Linux is getting devices to work due to a lack of drivers, eg I couldn't get my TV tuner to work with Linux although my printers and scanners do work.

I'm typing this on a 2009 netbook with XP Service Pack 3 that has never ever been updated. If a website can put some code/software on your computer without your explicit consent then there's must be something fundmently wrong with Windows itself. Don't allow CDs, DVDs, external drives etc to automatically run when you insert them, install Noscript on Firefox and only allow Javascript on a site by site basis, don't open attachments unless you know what they are, don't download anything with a .exe unless you know what they are.

But John, there are nasties out there that you only need to highlight in your email inbox before setting them off. You can't beat a good AV package on your PC (which I am sure you have).

Did I say I had a Mac ? 8)

 

[Eric The Viking]

I'm typing this on a 2009 netbook with XP Service Pack 3 that has never ever been updated. If a website can put some code/software on your computer without your explicit consent then there's must be something fundmently wrong with Windows itself.

There is. You're taking a risk, but you evidently know what you're doing, to an extent.

The problem is relatively ignorant people, who don't have the information or interest or background in IT, telling yet others, "I've been doing XXX for years and I haven't had any problems THEREFORE there aren't any and it's all nonsense."

That, of course is an argument from the specific to the general, and invalid, and people get hurt, expensively so.

Don't allow CDs, DVDs, external drives etc to automatically run when you insert them, install Noscript on Firefox and only allow Javascript on a site by site basis, don't open attachments unless you know what they are, don't download anything with a .exe unless you know what they are.

You're right, of course, in every detail, but not balanced.

It's far worse than that. Viruses can exploit flaws in the Acrobat format (or its readers), errors in Outlook's code, bugs in Windows' networking, bugs in firewall/router firmware, bugs in various media streaming protocols, and so on (got a Quicktime update just this morning!). There are many other attack vectors.

They're real - the lads in our office have to sort out the messes (and deal with the owners!).

Are you absolutely certain that Microsoft's security patches since Service Pack 3 have all been unnecessary for you and don't matter? Are you certain you can confidently tell other people they don't matter for them, either? Are you keeping any data on your machine (other people's names and addresses, or passwords for sites like this one, for example) that might be used to attack other people if your machine was compromised?

Are you confident you can detect a rootkit, if one installs?

Microsoft release very little information about what's wrong with their proprietary code. Security patches have certainly kept a team busy since XP's launch, including all the distribution resources, too. I'm not sure Microsoft would do that merely as a PR exercise.

I write javascript code occasionally. I write HTML5, and CSS3 almost every day, PHP and on occasion SQL (which hurts!) rarely. I understand the source code of web pages (mostly). Even then there's a lot of cross-domain scripting that's very hard to follow, and compressed javascript is (obviously) unintelligible. Even NoScript doesn't guarantee safety if the root domain of the site in question is compromised (and there are many ways of doing that, from man-in-the-middle attacks through DNS hijack to straightforward server hacking).

I hope nothing happens to the machine you're using, but personally I wouldn't be taking the risk.

E.

 

[Sheptonphil]

Thanks all above for that advice on upping to W7.

Can I get away with using a W7 program disk from my wifes computer if she is ditching that one and put on one of my old xp desktops?

Hi Woody

Can you 'get away' with it, probably yes, would it comply with the terms of the win7 licence, definitely not. The licence can only be used on the computer it was originally shipped with. Licences (COA's) are not transferable from machine to machine. Certainly through the workshop I could not do it, that of course is not to say it wouldn't work.

Phil

 

[devonwoody]

I assume I have got to increase the memory, etc.?

 

[Harbo]

In the past, I've transferred licences to newer machines under XP - had to phone Microsoft and go through a "grilling".
Have they stopped allowing this with W7?

Rod

 

[MMUK]

In the past, I've transferred licences to newer machines under XP - had to phone Microsoft and go through a "grilling".
Have they stopped allowing this with W7?

Rod

No. You can still transfer an OS from one machine to another, it's just the same process as changing your HDD if it fails - you have to phone Microsoft on the freephone number to re-register the license and explain the situation. What you cannot do is run the same license on more than one machine, unless you have a multi-PC or Corporate license.

would it comply with the terms of the win7 licence, definitely not. The licence can only be used on the computer it was originally shipped with. Licences (COA's) are not transferable from machine to machine.

See above.

 

[Sheptonphil]

Devonwoody's licence appears to be an OEM licence,supplied with the computer and as such the answer remains no.

From Microsoft, and the rules we must adhere to,

If it's an OEM license - NO. OEM licenses, including Windows preinstalled on a computer before purchase and Windows bought separately, are tied to the first computer they are installed on and can not be transferred to a different computer. To install Windows on a different computer you will need to buy another copy. End quote.

The way MMUK suggests can only be done (legally) with a retail copy of the windows purchased. This excludes all licences provided by manufactures and system builders. We use OEM licences as they are 30% cheaper than retail and are then dedicated to that computer, although some hardware change is permitted such as a new hard drive or graphics, but specifically excludes a motherboard.

Been a registered Microsoft partner for over 15 years and we have to accept their rules.

Phil

 

[devonwoody]

Thanks Phil., I wondered why my desktop builder would not supply me with anything but an OEM disk. ~We argued for sometime on the subject and I suppose it tied me to his services as well.

Think I have got a W7 disk that is not OEM somewhere. :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[Robbo3]

I assume I have got to increase the memory, etc.?

Windows 7 upgrade advisor will tell you if your hardware is capable of running it
- http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/wind ... de-advisor

Think I have got a W7 disk that is not OEM somewhere.

Where or how you get a Windows install disc is irrelevant.

Mod Edit:- Post edited. Links to Pirated Software Sites are not allowed under forum rules.

(4.) No Piracy
Discussion of illegal activities such as software, music, video & DVD piracy and other intellectual property violations are not allowed.

As far as I'm aware what I posted was quite legal otherwise I wouldn't have done so
Digital River is "Microsoft's online service" & the Windows 7 ISOs can be legally downloaded from their site
- http://best-windows.vlaurie.com/boot-disks.html#full

Some people have either limited downloads or a very slow connection thus I offered to help if required.
What I can't (& wouldn't) help with is a legitimate product key (serial number) which should be either on the COA label stuck on the machine or on the original disc case.

So I will repeat my offer to DW - if you don't know to burn an ISO file let me know & I'll do it & send it you on a DVD.