Leave Windows 9x behind
Greg Shultz
Published: 02 Apr 2003 08:49 BST
5. Better software support
Just as the computer peripheral hardware has evolved, so too has the wonderful world of software. There are many more variations of software out on the market today than there was back in the Windows 9x era. While most of this new software will run on Windows 9x, some of it really requires Windows XP and modern hardware. For example, digital photo and movie editing software, desktop publishing, and games are just a few examples of the types of software that really excel when run in Windows XP.
Making the move
If you're starting to come around to the idea that it's time to move on to another operating system, you're probably wondering what your next step should be. Should you purchase an operating system upgrade and install it on your existing computer? Or should you just buy a new computer with Windows XP preinstalled?
Well, the answer to that question will depend on how old your computers are, what version of Windows 9x you're running, and how much money and time you have to invest in this project. Let's take a closer look.
If you're running Windows 95, chances are good that your computers don't meet the Windows XP hardware requirements. Besides, the Windows XP upgrade path doesn't support Windows 95. As such, your best bet would be to look at purchasing a new computer with Windows XP preinstalled.
If you're running Windows 98, the first step will be to download the Windows XP Upgrade Advisor. When you run it, the Upgrade Advisor will scan your current system and let you know if it finds any incompatible hardware or software. If everything checks out, then you're good to go.
If the Upgrade Advisor finds incompatibilities, it will provide you with a detailed report on what hardware or software you need to upgrade to make your system Windows XP compatible. You can print out this report and use it to further investigate your upgrade options. A good place to start is at the manufacturer's Web site. Also, be sure to check out the Windows Catalog Web site.
If your existing system doesn't meet Windows XP's system hardware requirements, and you're just not ready to purchase a new computer, you might want to think about moving to the Windows 2000 Professional operating system. The system requirements for Windows 2000 Professional are about half of what the system requirements are for Windows XP Professional/Home.However, keep in mind that the Windows 2000 Professional upgrade carries a suggested retail price of $219, which in many cases is about half of what you would pay for a brand new entry-level computer with Windows XP preinstalled.
More information
Whatever route you take, making the move to Windows 2000 or Windows XP will definitely make your computing experience more enjoyable and much less stressful. If you want to learn more about these operating systems, be sure to investigate the Windows XP Home Page and the Windows 2000 Home Page.
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