Which OS to use, XP or 2000?

[mattm58]

I'm sure this has probably been answered before, but I couldn't find it in searching.

Which OS do you guys use on your HTPC? Are there any benefits of going with XP over 2000, or vice versa?

Any input appreciated.

[IVB]

I like XP, because I've found that it's got so much support for drivers/etc out of the box as opposed to W2K. I've only found 2 things that didn't have out of the box support, and they were no name brands and products.

[SHS]

IVB as for XP vs 2000 they are the same there no diff other then the UI but XP has major downside it Calling Home Thing know as Product Activation.
As for drv heck I can take NT4 drv and install on 2000 and I it also work with XP to.

[falchulk]

I didagree shs. 2000 was not meant to be used with games/multimedia. XP was from the start. I am a network admin and mandate 2000 on the desktop at work but use xp at home. Also, XP's builtin compatability with 96/98 apps makes it much better in my opnion.

[SHS]

Well in that case falchulk you need head over to NTCompatible by the way guest who over there also from time to time that rigth good old SHS, I and Philipp got that site off ground floor I help him when use be call NTGamePalace
You see this my page here and lot the stuff I did over there
http://www.ntcompatible.com/3dfxfaq.shtml
Oh did know I'm also well know for SBLive stuff under Win200 and few other things.

[falchulk]

As I said, I don't like 2000 for multimedia/game usage. There are commands to make dos apps run correctly under 2000, but its a hassle and does not always work properly. There are also ways to make older 32bit apps work, but it's a hassle. Windows 2000 was meant to be a buisness operating system the same way that NT 4.0 was. XP from the start was intended to make up the 2000 shotcomings.

BTW, I am aware that you are "famous" and have seen you on may boards. I was not questioning your credibility. I was giving an opinion.

[SHS]

Ok falchulk

[padre]

I'd have to vote for 2000 over XP, from a stability standpoint. One of my latest systems was pre-installed with XP from Compaq and it had nothing but problems (freezes, apps crashing, etc.). I reformatted and installed Win2k, not one error since. And, when I bought a second identical configuration, I was simply able to ghost my Win2k config onto it. Can't do that with XP, because of the activation process.

I have Win2k on my 5 machines at home, running non-stop with absolutely no problem. I use all sorts of multimedia applications, from video and audio capturing, to Macromedia Flash presentation creation, and more.

And, I can play every game I want without any problem. Matter of fact, a few of the games run better on my 1.9ghz Win2k machine vs. my 3.0ghz machine with XP. Why do I still have XP on that machine? XP supports hyperthreading, Win2k doesn't. Otherwise, it would also be Win2k.

[salsbst]

Don't XP and 2000 differ in their ability to use VMR9 renderer? And isn't it true that DVD player companies aren't releasing Win2k versions of their Directshow filters?

[Myth2Sage]

Originally posted by falchulk
I didagree shs. 2000 was not meant to be used with games/multimedia. XP was from the start. I am a network admin and mandate 2000 on the desktop at work but use xp at home. Also, XP's builtin compatability with 96/98 apps makes it much better in my opnion.

I am going to have to agree with SHS on this one. XP may be pretty to look at and it may do a lot of thinking for the End User, as far as drivers and updating are concerned.

But the Call Home feature really scares the hell outta me. I honestly believe that the Ben Franklin quote applies here:

"Those who are willing to give up a little freedom for a little security...etc etc etc"

Yes, XP does give an End User "security", insofar as they get updated w/o having to lift a finger. But the freedom the End User loses is that they have to open up their machine to a huge congolmerate that is not known for it's integrity.

While ANTI TRUST was only a fictional movie, true, it had enough real world possibilities to make me cringe if I ever think about turning over control of my system to someone or something else.

Sorry, got off on a tangent here.

Suffice it to say that is why I always recommend 2K over XP any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

Actually, I recommend Linux over anything, but let's not open up THAT can o' worms...


M2S

[PGPfan]

XP is the way to go for Sage. Win2K was designed for business, XP was designed to use the NT kernel, but to be a multi-media OS for personal and business use.

There are those of you who believe that 2K and XP are the same, just with different 'eye candy' but that isn't the case. XP is 'based' on 2K, but is still very different at the core level.

I say these things because prior to my retirement, I worked at Microsoft on both the Win2k and XP development teams.

I understand the 'fear' that people have with activation, but as MS does it, it's nothing to be afraid of. (just don't "register" it and your identity won't be linked to it in any way) The 'real' thing to be fearful of is the Paladium initiative and that is lead by Microsoft, but has all the hardware guys involved as well and THAT is what is scary!

-PGPfan

[dagar]

Having been a Win2K convert since RC3 I must say that HEXPEE is a vast improvement in regards to handling various multimedia and wireless tasks.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by padre

I'd have to vote for 2000 over XP, from a stability standpoint. One of my latest systems was pre-installed with XP from Compaq and it had nothing but problems (freezes, apps crashing, etc.). I reformatted and installed Win2k, not one error since.

That's almost certainly due to all the CRAP OEMs pile on those pre-built machines. I'd bet that if you had wiped it and reinstalled XP fresh it would be fine as well.

To the original poster's question, if you're buying a new liscence, buy XP MCE, it's the same price as XP Pro, and you can't really argue with MCE "for free". If you've already got a 2000 lisence, give it a try.

On the XP/2000 differences, there are some, for instance 2000 doesn't support 7.1 channel audio, really high samplerates (192), at least not through directshow.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by stanger89

To the original poster's question, if you're buying a new liscence, buy XP MCE, it's the same price as XP Pro, and you can't really argue with MCE "for free".

But, isn't MCE based on XP Home? If not, then never mind. If so, I would much rather get XP Pro and have its capabilities -- such as dual cpu support, among other things. I can't remember what all Pro does that Home doesn't... I just know that I preferred Pro when I made the comparison a long time ago. Anyway: that's my personal preference.

Edit: I guess the point I really should have made was that if XP MCE is based on Home, then the MCE add-on isn't really 'free' when compared to Pro or Home.

- Andy

[stanger89]

No, MCE is based on XP Pro but with domain joining removed.

[Opus4]

I don't remember what domain joining is... is that like living together?

- Andy

[SHS]

If I recall rigth domain joining it just allow you logon on from any PC within network or even over internet like big College, etc, etc networks.

[zz5]

The reason I decided on XP Pro instead of Home was that Pro was that Pro had better ability to control another computer. This would make it a lot easier for me because I have very limited access to my server since it's in the living room. I also like having the extra encryption ability of Pro. I figured it was worth the $30 extra.

I don't know what domain joining is either. For practical purposes in home use, would I want that? What are the advantages of getting MCE instead of Pro? I'm asking because I'm about ready to buy 3 licenses. I was thinking I would get Pro. Should I get MCE instead?

[zz5]

Ok, so based on SHS's response, I don't really think I care about not getting domain joining. I should have mentioned that I plan to use two of the three licenses for non-HTPC use. Is there anything wrong with using MCE for non-HTPC? Would I be missing anything or limited in some way?

[stanger89]

The jist of Domain Joining is you have one computer (Domain Controler) and other computers can logon and be authenticated by that PC and you can have your profile stored there (roaming profiles). So yeah, it's not really useful in a home setting unless you're crazy.

As for MCE, I'd say why not. MCE is just an app that runs on top of XP (almost) Pro, plus I think MCE may be slightly cheaper than XP Pro OEM.