View Full Version : XP Pro vs MCE ?
tombew
04-24-2008, 06:46 AM
I'm about to set up a new E8400 box.
Pricing from NewEgg on XP Pro OEM is $139.99
MCE OEM is $119.99
I don't actually use the MCE "features", but I'm wondering why I should spend more for "regular" XP.
Any advise on this appreciated. Pitfalls? Performance disadvantages? Comments?
PS - I have installed MCE before, so I guess I can manage it's crazy installation procedure again....
nukleuz
04-24-2008, 06:49 AM
you dont want vista?
Joe Average
04-24-2008, 07:08 AM
Seriously, with the Core 2 Duo, go get XP x64. You'll be much better off, I assure you. Better everything, including performance and stability.
And...
http://www.trustprice.com/Microsoft_Windows_XP_2002_Professional/ZAT-00008_ED_/partinfo-id-584106.html
It's only $80. The performance and stability of Windows Server 2003 (which is what XP x64 is based upon), the speed and reliability of a 64 bit OS - you're good to go.
ring.of.steel
04-24-2008, 07:27 AM
with no drivers..
General Crespin
04-24-2008, 08:11 AM
I'm about to set up a new E8400 box.
Pricing from NewEgg on XP Pro OEM is $139.99
MCE OEM is $119.99
I don't actually use the MCE "features", but I'm wondering why I should spend more for "regular" XP.
Because Pro has business releated features that MCE doesn't? :)
Mithent
04-24-2008, 09:06 AM
Well, if you want x64 and good driver compatibility, Vista Home Premium x64 is the best option, unless you need the business-related features.
If you have a good reason to go XP then okay, but don't discount Vista because of the "it sucks" FUD.
ring.of.steel
04-24-2008, 09:18 AM
Well, if you want x64 and good driver compatibility, Vista Home Premium x64 is the best option, unless you need the business-related features.
If you have a good reason to go XP then okay, but don't discount Vista because of the "it sucks" FUD.
QFT
tombew
04-24-2008, 09:43 AM
I'm not interested in Vista for this build.
griffinhart
04-24-2008, 11:39 AM
Because Pro has business releated features that MCE doesn't? :)
Sort of... but not quite...
MCE 2005 is actually Windows XP Pro. When you install it, you can connect to a domain and get all of the functionality that XP pro has. The sticky point is that if you do not set it up that way to start, you lose access to these features and you can only join workgroups.
That said, I personally think you should go to Vista 64 unless you have specific software requirements that still need XP.
ring.of.steel
04-24-2008, 03:48 PM
The op just said he is not intrested in vista.
Joe Average
04-24-2008, 04:39 PM
Hence XP x64 still remaining the best choice of an OS for his current build as listed. As for the "with no drivers.. " comment, that's typical of someone ignorant of the current situation with XP x64. It's been ignorant for years now as myself and countless others run XP x64 on an incredible variety of hardware - all with proper and full 64 bit driver support.
I'd be really surprised to find any piece of hardware these days from a name-brand OEM (meaning not the 'el cheapo' impulse crap found at the register when you're at some store or the low-quality crap found at most local PC shops) that doesn't have 64 bit driver support.
In my years of running XP x64, I've never not been able to find a driver for the hardware in any OEM builds, nor decent hardware from quality manufacturers.
If people use cheap shit useless crap hardware, obviously they shouldn't expect decent drivers - hell, if they even had tech support that alone would be almost magic anyway.
DeaconFrost
04-24-2008, 07:42 PM
Since you are buying a new OS, there's really no reason to buy a 6-7 year old one, versus a new OS. I couldn't see spending money on the old, when the new works just as well.
That being said, if you must cling to the fuzzy old OS, XP x64 should be the choice.
heatlesssun
04-24-2008, 07:46 PM
Since you are buying a new OS, there's really no reason to buy a 6-7 year old one, versus a new OS. I couldn't see spending money on the old, when the new works just as well.
That being said, if you must cling to the fuzzy old OS, XP x64 should be the choice.
I agree for the most part, except that XP x64 driver support kinda blows.
Unless you have critical software or hardware that will not work with Vista, there's no reason not to use Vista. Plus you have to ask yourself if you have hardware or software that doesn't work with Vista, how much longer is it even going to relavent?
Joe Average
04-24-2008, 09:35 PM
I agree for the most part, except that XP x64 driver support kinda blows.
Unless you have critical software or hardware that will not work with Vista, there's no reason not to use Vista. Plus you have to ask yourself if you have hardware or software that doesn't work with Vista, how much longer is it even going to relavent?
/me coughs... coughs... *bullshit*... coughs...
How long is that ridiculous belief going to persist? Show me a name-brand piece of hardware out there and I'll find a 64 bit driver for it.
WMP54GS doesn't/hasn't worked with any x64 OS I tried.
This includes XP x64 and Vista x64.
Joe Average
04-24-2008, 10:03 PM
WMP54GS doesn't/hasn't worked with any x64 OS I tried.
This includes XP x64 and Vista x64.
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14644
Second link from the top, Broadcom 943xx v4.170.27.12 driver.
That should set you up just fine. That card uses the Broadcom BC43xx chipset; that .exe contains the XP 32 bit and 64 bit drivers, as well as working Vista 32 bit and 64 bit drivers also. They are known to work for that specific Linksys card as reported in many forums related to wireless communications, so if for some reason they don't function for your particular setup, I'd suspect something else might be up with that system.
Hope that helps...
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14644
Second link from the top, Broadcom 943xx v4.170.27.12 driver.
That should set you up just fine. That card uses the Broadcom BC43xx chipset; that .exe contains the XP 32 bit and 64 bit drivers, as well as working Vista 32 bit and 64 bit drivers also. They are known to work for that specific Linksys card as reported in many forums related to wireless communications, so if for some reason they don't function for your particular setup, I'd suspect something else might be up with that system.
Hope that helps...
Believe me, I've tried every driver that people used on their x64 OS and it's a hit or miss. Linksys has some of the worst x64 driver support (pretty much non-existent from their site) that I've came across.
Joe Average
04-24-2008, 10:21 PM
Right, hence I pointed you to the actual Broadcom driver that is known to work. :p
I've owned one of those in the past, and I never used the OEM (i.e. Linksys) software or drivers, I always find out who makes the chipset on the card (I do this for every wireless device I have) and then use the latest version of that I can find. From Windows 2000 through Windows Server 2008, both 32 bit and 64 bit drivers always worked - but that's just me.
I hope you find one sometime that does.
Right, hence I pointed you to the actual Broadcom driver that is known to work. :p
I've owned one of those in the past, and I never used the OEM (i.e. Linksys) software or drivers, I always find out who makes the chipset on the card (I do this for every wireless device I have) and then use the latest version of that I can find. From Windows 2000 through Windows Server 2008, both 32 bit and 64 bit drivers always worked - but that's just me.
I hope you find one sometime that does.
I guess I wasn't clear when I said I tried every known driver that "works" with that card, including the one you posted.
It's a non-issue now because I retired that card and went with D-Link.
vBulletin® v3.8.2, Copyright ©2000-2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.