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| Acmlm's Board - I3 Archive - Hardware / Software - Possibly Getting a New Computer |
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beneficii Broom Hatter                  Since: 11-18-05 Last post: 6331 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| Okay, right now we have a Windows 98 (first edition) PC with 366 mHz processor that we bought about 5 or 6 years ago. I am thinking of upgrading to a newer PC, but I have several concerns:
The computer I am looking for would probably have Windows XP already installed, but I am uneasy about using Windows XP exclusively, because I heard that Windows XP won't allow DOS programs that require uninhibited access to hardware to run, which could prevent me from running some of the DOS programs that I currently have (though I'm not sure which would stop running), and I also don't like the product activation feature too well and other aspects of what I have seen of XP. I'm wondering if it might be possible to "downgrade" to Windows 98, or to perhaps have Windows 98 installed alongside XP so I could have the choice of accessing either? Any tips on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.  |
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neotransotaku Sledge Brother Liberated from school...until MLK day   Since: 11-17-05 From: In Hearst Field Annex... Last post: 6330 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| You can downgrade to Win98, provided you still have the installation CD. Asking the retailer to install Win98 for you instead will not happen as the last Win98 computer that was ever rolled out was back in 1999 (before WinME was released)
Product activation is a valid concern but that usually happens when you buy WinXP seperately from your computer. If you get a packaged deal with a computer maker, you usually don't have to do product activation--i remember with my laptop, I didn't have to do product activation. As for DOS programs running in XP, you probably do want to stick with 98. But there are DOS emus for XP so it would depend on the game you are playing. But if you insist with sticking with 98, there is no problems installing it. You just have to do a little more work on your own end to get it to work, which isn't too bad. |
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Trapster King Dedede  Since: 11-19-05 From: Sweden Last post: 6436 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| I donīt think that upgrading such an old PC is worth the effort. You should buy a new one instead.
And you know that you can have two OSs on the same computer right? I donīt really know how that works, though. There is a DOS emulator called DOSbox. I have it on my computer but I seldom use it. I have DOS games that works on my computer but I donīt know how. I have WinXP. |
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neotransotaku Sledge Brother Liberated from school...until MLK day Since: 11-17-05 From: In Hearst Field Annex... Last post: 6330 days Last view: 6328 days |
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Originally posted by Ran-chanTo help your english along, beneficii was talking about buying a new PC, the words "The computer I am looking for would probably have Windows XP already installed," infer a new computer. Why would upgrading your own computer that has Win98, all of a sudden have WinXP installed? Anyways, dual booting is another option--where you run both Win98 and WinXP. But I find it a drag to have to switch OS just to play a game. Plus, if the computer already comes with WinXP, you would have to install Win98, then install WinXP. If you get packaged deals from HP, Dell, and company, highly unlikely you actually will have a WinXP installation CD. |
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Trapster King Dedede Since: 11-19-05 From: Sweden Last post: 6436 days Last view: 6328 days |
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Originally posted by beneficii That could easily be mistunderstood, you know. I wonīt tell him how to form his sentences but it would be easier if he said "buy a new PC".  |
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BMF54123 Since: 11-18-05 From: MOOGLES Last post: 6328 days Last view: 6328 days |
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Why not just keep the old PC, and network it with the new one (Windows 98 and XP can share files, with a little work)? You can even buy a KVM switch to share the monitor, mouse, and keyboard between the two. I have three computers of varying age hooked up to one KVM switch: one for DOS games, one for Internet and ROM hacking tasks, and one for newer games, emulators, and assorted multimedia stuff. It's really a great, convenient setup.  |
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Ailure Mr. Shine I just want peace...  Since: 11-17-05 From: Sweden Last post: 6328 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| I seen a such switch at my old school, and yes it's quite convient.
Besides, apart from running old DOS programs. Win98 sucks. Win 2000 and XP runs alot faster than 98. :/ And there's always possibility of dualbooting to DOS. |
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Zem Permabanned. Flaming, trolling, reregistering. Since: 11-18-05 Last post: 6651 days Last view: 6651 days |
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Originally posted by Ran-chan And you shouldn't because your english isn't so hot either. Take a look at the thread title. (edited by Zem on 01-10-06 05:21 PM) |
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||bass Administrator  Since: 11-17-05 From: Salem, Connecticut Last post: 6329 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| Downgrading to Win98 would be a seriously bad idea. XP is several orders of magnitude better in terms of stability and performance.
Your best bet would be to install DOSBox on your new machine. It's a freeware program designed to run old dos software in new versions of Windows. It even lets you run 16-bit dos apps in 64 bit versions of XP. Get it at: http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/ Seriously, this soloution is much better then downgrading. |
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beneficii Broom Hatter Since: 11-18-05 Last post: 6331 days Last view: 6328 days |
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Originally posted by ||bass Yes, I heard that XP was indeed much better and was often praised so. Thank you for the DOSBox link; I had not been aware of the program's existence. neotransotaku, Well, the computer that I have now came with a Win98 installation CD (which I've had to use quite a few time over the years to reinstall Win98). So if you get one of those packaged deals, and you don't have the WinXP CD, what would you do if you had to reinstall WinXP for whatever reason? BMF54123, Hmm, a KVM switch eh? Since this Win98 computer is actually my dad's, and since the new computer will be mine (since I will have paid for it), that may not be too difficult to set up, as my dad will probably keep this computer for the forseeable future. Thanks y'all. |
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HyperHacker Star Mario Finally being paid to code in VB! If only I still enjoyed that. <_< Wii #7182 6487 4198 1828 Since: 11-18-05 From: Canada, w00t! My computer's specs, if anyone gives a damn. STOP TRUNCATING THIS >8^( Last post: 6328 days Last view: 6328 days |
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| Most store-bought computers either come with the OS install CD or a recovery disc that wipes your hard drive and re-installs everything to the way it was when you bought it. I'd suggest you ask for the install CD though, if possible.
I think it's possible to make an XP install CD from an existing installation, though, and should be legal since you technically own it already. |
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||bass Administrator Since: 11-17-05 From: Salem, Connecticut Last post: 6329 days Last view: 6328 days |
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Originally posted by HyperHackerIt is possible but it's anoying and complicated. A much easier thing to do is to get a copy of Norton Ghost and make a backup image of your harddrive before you install anything else. |
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HyperHacker Star Mario Finally being paid to code in VB! If only I still enjoyed that. <_< Wii #7182 6487 4198 1828 Since: 11-18-05 From: Canada, w00t! My computer's specs, if anyone gives a damn. STOP TRUNCATING THIS >8^( Last post: 6328 days Last view: 6328 days |
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But that'd be the same as using the recovery disc. You couldn't just re-install XP without wiping the hard drive. You would be protected if installing something or using the original recovery disc messed things up, but that's it. (Pretty much anyone who uses Windows should know it needs to be reinstalled every now and then for no apparent reason.  )(edited by HyperHacker on 01-11-06 11:47 PM) |
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