Computer Help and Support

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts) Mon Dec 9, 2013, 05:55 AM Dec 2013

XP user here - should I go with Vista or Windows 7? [View all]

I just found out on DU that XP is going to be unsupported after this April. Which is better though, Vista or Windows 7? In another thread there were pretty even complaints and cheers for both, so I have no idea which one I should get, and I DEFINITELY don't want the one that is set up less like XP.

I also have no idea how to get a new version or if I have to buy it. I'm also really worried that when I make the change that it might cause problems with some of my programs especially the expensive ones like PaintShopPro and Flash. I don't have discs for them since I was really lucky that years and years ago the place where I worked had all kinds of good programs and let us take the discs home to install them on our home computers.

The only time that I've switched what OS I use is when I had gotten a whole new computer and with this one XP just happened to be what it came with. My first and only other computer I just used 98 which is what it came with as well. Is there somewhere online that I can see what they both look like at least?

I'm going to be really pissed off if I have to purchase either Vista or Windows 7... it certainly wasn't my idea to stop using XP, and I just can't afford it (I hope I can by April, but money's been tight for quite a few years). And a huge POX on Windows for stopping support for XP! It's the only thing they did right!

57 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

XP user here - should I go with Vista or Windows 7? [View all] TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 OP

Windows 7 is Vista improved. Go with Windows 7. Also... PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #1

it's an Intel Pentium 4 516 TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #12

1024 isn't much memory these days, Windows 7 really should have at least 4 x as much. n/t PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #17

Your computer is totally underpowered for Vista or Windows 7 TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #33

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH! TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #36

You may be a bit out of your depth, but you aren't helpless... TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #38

my major problem is that I'm broke and unemployed TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #39

Try Craigslist Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #41

XP was nice A Little Weird Dec 2013 #2

Damn - how much will it cost? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #8

Windows 7 is good until 2020 (and I do think it is a bit better than XP). PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #16

They're not cheap A Little Weird Dec 2013 #30

From a technical standpoint, XP is far from the best OS they've released. TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #34

It won't stop working just because you don't get any more "updates". It may work smoother. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #3

I don't use remote access either TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #11

If you can download an .iso of the program from their website. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #19

I believe the poster already stated... TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #35

Could have been totally legal and licensed at the time, you don't know and neither do I hobbit709 Dec 2013 #37

The disks came from the IT guy TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #44

IMO Windows ME still holds the title of worst m$ os released to date PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #15

ME sucked but at least MS took it off the market after a couple of months. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #18

That's because ME was horrible, what's bad about 8 is the UI, not the underlying OS. PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #20

The problem with 8 is that it's an OS designed for touchscreen. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #21

I completely agree, microsoft missed the boat on this one. PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #29

Wait... they're getting rid of Outlook, too???? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #40

xp unsupported? Pharaoh Dec 2013 #4

Microsoft confirmed that as of April 8, 2014 XP will no longer be supported TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #5

It won't magically stop working. That just means you won't get any more updates or call in help. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #6

What about drivers though? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #9

Drivers come from the hardware manufacturer. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #10

I've never updated drivers in all the years I've had this computer TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #13

If it ain't broke, don't fix it is my motto. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #14

I'm buying my mom a laptop for Christmas and polly7 Dec 2013 #7

Seems a good choice. ucrdem Dec 2013 #22

The thing is, she thinks she really has to push hard on the on/off switch polly7 Dec 2013 #23

LOL ucrdem Dec 2013 #24

I tried telling her to leave the front switch on and just let it hibernate, or sleep polly7 Dec 2013 #25

. ucrdem Dec 2013 #26

Hey ..... it was a brand new mouse and mousepad still in the wrapping! polly7 Dec 2013 #27

I've got a 6545C Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #43

It sure looks exactly like it when I do a google image search. polly7 Dec 2013 #45

I've gutted the insides and the box is just sitting waiting for me to take it to recycle place Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #47

OMGosh, that would be amazing! polly7 Dec 2013 #48

Awesome! Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #49

Power switch is fairly easy to replace, polly 7. Old and In the Way Dec 2013 #51

Thanks so much .... polly7 Dec 2013 #52

My pleasure, polly7! Old and In the Way Dec 2013 #53

Awesome! polly7 Dec 2013 #54

Windows 7. ohheckyeah Dec 2013 #28

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2013 #31

There's not much to worry about. I doubt if you go to any dangerous sites and... BlueJazz Dec 2013 #32

they're not discontinuing XP Pro? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #42

Xp Pro is basically the same. ...and no, it doesn't matter. BlueJazz Dec 2013 #50

Wow, you would do that??? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #55

Sure...no problem. You'll have to wait for about a week though. I'm going to a friend tonight.. BlueJazz Dec 2013 #56

No problem TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #57

The best advice imho was upthread about disconnecting it from the net Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #46