2000 Professional Or Xp Professional?

EpochEpoch Join Date: 2002-10-10 Member: 1474Members
<div class="IPBDescription">I cannot decide.</div> Hi all,

I'm building a dual-boot machine (Windows & Linux) and I need to pick a version of Windows to run, but I'm having a really difficult time, so I figured maybe your fine folks could assist me by providing your opinions on the matter.

The machine has the following:
- AMD Athlon 2400+
- 256 MB DDR3200 RAM
- ATI Radeon 7500 (8X AGP, 64 MB DDR)
- 40 GB Maxtor HDD, 7200 RPM, 8 MB Buffer
- 30 GB Seagate HDD, 5200 RPM, 8 MB Buffer

The RAM and graphics card will be upgraded before Half-Life 2 is released, but for now, they are sufficient.

Based on the knowledge of what hardware I have, which Windows version would you reccomend? Windows 2000 Professional and Windows XP Professional cost the same, so the basic issue is which one if the better pick performance/reliability/stability/flexibility-wise.

I have used 2000 Pro. for several years and I am familiar with the ins and outs of the system. I have also used XP Pro. for a few months and have noticed that it is not much different.

Thanks for your input, it is certainly appeaciated.
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Comments

  • DY357LXDY357LX Playing since day 1. Still can&#39;t Comm. England Join Date: 2002-10-27 Member: 1651Members, Constellation
    Personally I'd go for Windows 2000, but thats mainly due
    to past hassles (putting it lightly) with Windows XP.
    I'm considering buying AMD Athlon 2400+ in the near future,
    how does yours perform? Had any hassles? Whats speed it at? Tried overclocking it?
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    I prefer Win2KPro to WinXP. I think XP is too bloated with junk that's not really needed.

    However, Win2KPro is outdated now, and will soon lose any support from Microsoft (or so I've heard).

    Just some points to consider.
  • MonsieurEvilMonsieurEvil Join Date: 2002-01-22 Member: 4Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    If you are going to have that 256MB RAM for awhile, 2000 will run somewhat faster (XP has higher memory requirements). But if you are going to eventually get it bumped up go with XP, if only because it's getting much better support and gaming capabilities than 2000 will at this point. When Longhorn becomes Windows 2004 or XQ or whatever, your copy of 2000 will be 2 generations out of date and starting to suffer support issues.
  • InfinityXInfinityX Join Date: 2003-04-07 Member: 15275Members
    Definately 2000. I've had to run XP pro for months now and I've stripped it down completely it's that bloated.
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    edited June 2003
    Get XP home. It has less bloat and fewer 'features' (read: backdoors) to turn off. Unless you are running this on a corporate network you won't notice a difference in functionality. Its also cheaper.
  • NecroticNecrotic Big Girl&#39;s Blouse Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 53Members, NS1 Playtester
    XP home was the biggest sack of horrid rotting animal dung I have ever had the misfortune to install, and at release XP Pro wasn't that much better imho, although I hear the patches have vastly improved it. Once I upgrade this POS system I may bite the bullet and install XP pro again and see how she fares, and if anythign goes wrong i'm gonna blame you MonsE <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    I'd definately go with 2kpro. This is due to personal experience. With 2 seperate (legal i might add) copies of XP pro installed at different times on the same hardware (athlon 1.8/512ram etc) i've had it crash constantly (read: every 5 minutes, literally). I've been running the same copy of win2k for months now, and the stability is amazing, i go weeks without turning my puter off <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    And as for Moultano's suggestion, i'd say avoid XP home like the plague. Get syphilis instead, it's FAR better than XP home. XP home is to win2k pro / xp pro like windows ME is to a non-laughable OS.
  • DoADrunkMonkeyDoADrunkMonkey Join Date: 2003-01-05 Member: 11902Members
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    edited June 2003
    Well if any of you XP home bashers have some evidence, I'd be glad to hear it. I haven't had a single crash with XP home since I got it, and successfully avoided a worm that was going around campus because it doesn't have the network 'features' of XP pro. That's my experience. And its quite fast, not Gentoo fast, but not much is.
  • SirusSirus Join Date: 2002-11-13 Member: 8466Members, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    XP Pro is running great for me...
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Same as sirus here. XpPro does whatever I tell it to do, quickly, easily, and painlessly. I've had less than 4-5 crashes, and I use it a lot.
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--moultano+Jun 23 2003, 06:22 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (moultano @ Jun 23 2003, 06:22 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Well if any of you XP home bashers have some evidence, I'd be glad to hear it. I haven't had a single crash with XP home since I got it, and successfully avoided a worm that was going around campus because it doesn't have the network 'features' of XP pro. That's my experience. And its quite fast, not Gentoo fast, but not much is. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    There's 2 pcs and a laptop in this house which are running Windows XP Home. Guess how many are completely useless on the network without a LOT of hassle (i'll give you a clue. All three of them are useless, half the time can't see each other, half don't even want to know if they're there and ALL the time my Win2k can see / communicate with all 3).

    Windows XP Home is designed for people who don't know what they're doing with computers. And they love it.
  • InfinityXInfinityX Join Date: 2003-04-07 Member: 15275Members
    I've installed xp 12 times <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'><!--endemo--> (not bragging)
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    Poor you. I gave up after the second time went **** up.
  • InfinityXInfinityX Join Date: 2003-04-07 Member: 15275Members
    The worst time was when it locked my hardware configuration and the file permissions went to hell. Effectively making me a limited user.
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    I started to get very serious errors, kinda "your computer is totally screwed get a new one" type errors. With both XP installations. I dunno what it's worrying about, that was months and months ago and the hardware is extremely stable and in good condition.
  • InfinityXInfinityX Join Date: 2003-04-07 Member: 15275Members
    I once had an error telling me to download an unofficial unsupported patch that could damage my computer, in order to get a game to run <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • moultanomoultano Creator of ns_shiva. Join Date: 2002-12-14 Member: 10806Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Gold, NS2 Community Developer, Pistachionauts
    <!--QuoteBegin--::esuna::+Jun 23 2003, 07:21 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (::esuna:: @ Jun 23 2003, 07:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Windows XP Home is designed for people who don't know what they're doing with computers. And they love it. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Whoah man, thats a borderline flame, carefully disguised as a sociological comment <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> . I'm probably pretty naive to think that computer enthusiasts can have a civil discussion about operating system preferences, but lets give it a shot.

    I haven't tried setting up a home network on it, but I've been printing remotely all year without any difficulty. It is true though that if you really want to make the most out of a network then XP pro is the better choice, though Remote desktop is the only thing I feel the absence of with XP home.
  • NarfwakNarfwak Join Date: 2002-11-02 Member: 5258Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, NS1 Playtester, Playtest Lead, Forum Moderators, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Supporter, Reinforced - Silver, Reinforced - Gold, Reinforced - Diamond, Reinforced - Shadow, Subnautica PT Lead, NS2 Community Developer
    Strange as it may sound, I've <i>never</i> had any problems on the computer that I run XP on. Perhaps that comp's lack of an internet connection has something to do with it. But it's seriously <i>never</i> crashed. Ever. And I'm used to Win98 crashing multiple times per day. So I really, honestly, cannot relate to all the other people that hate it.

    And I run XP Home, too. Go figure.
  • airyKairyK Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11126Members
    ive used xp home for 1 and a half years, ive yet havent seen many problems w/it. occasionally windows will screw up but its just in windows nature anyways. xp home and networking problems? well me and my friends have quite a few lans and we all have xp home and i never have problems having them get networked together. from what i understand xp pro is just the same as home but w/a few more services that most people wouldnt use in the first place.
  • GadzukoGadzuko Join Date: 2002-12-26 Member: 11556Members, Constellation
    edited June 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--::esuna::+Jun 23 2003, 07:21 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (::esuna:: @ Jun 23 2003, 07:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> There's 2 pcs and a laptop in this house which are running Windows XP Home. Guess how many are completely useless on the network without a LOT of hassle (i'll give you a clue. All three of them are useless, half the time can't see each other, half don't even want to know if they're there and ALL the time my Win2k can see / communicate with all 3).

    Windows XP Home is designed for people who don't know what they're doing with computers. And they love it. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Maybe it's because Windows XP doesn't like Windows 2k. Or maybe they're configured incorrectly. Who knows. My XP Home plays well with others and is generally quite stable, and my friends and I have weekly get togethers on a LAN. *shrug*

    But to gently steer the topic back.. ermm... on-topic... I would recommend XP Pro, seeing as the useful lifespan is probably going to be longer.
  • Cereal_KillRCereal_KillR Join Date: 2002-10-31 Member: 1837Members
    It's funny because I never got my XP pro to crash, but my 2k pro occasionnally crashed. And I never had any problems on my network with XP.
    I'd just go for XP if I were you.
  • 343_guilty_spark343_guilty_spark Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17462Members
    i use to have windows 2000 and it was utter crap, it always crashed, made me download strange files so enough was enough and i went out and got windows xp which i now love, though i can't help the feeling that it treats me like someone who doesn't know what they are doing on a computer, least it doesn't crash <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Brave_UlyssesBrave_Ulysses Join Date: 2003-04-28 Member: 15922Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--MedHead+Jun 23 2003, 05:26 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (MedHead @ Jun 23 2003, 05:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I prefer Win2KPro to WinXP. I think XP is too bloated with junk that's not really needed. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    All Winblows = junkware. If you want less bloat try Linux, though the major distributions have started going all bloatware on us.
  • marksman_not_newbiemarksman_not_newbie Join Date: 2003-05-02 Member: 16009Members
    I too have windows XP- Pro and it works fine for me. Well it works fine as far as software goes, but the PC itself is dyeing. Neway. The main difference between XP Home and XP Pro is the networking stuff. To be honest XP Pro is a very good operating syystem and i am affraid people who say that its just a prety face on an old OS are very wrong. Windows XP has alot of new codeing behind it. This has made it possibly the most secure system there is (Pro at least) especialy with a good firewall. I would suggest XP but depending on what you use it for you should make the decision between home and Pro. But get more ram if u get XP. thats for sure, but dont worry its cheep atm. As i am sure u know. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    Just my opinion
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    edited June 2003
    <!--QuoteBegin--moultano+Jun 23 2003, 08:39 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (moultano @ Jun 23 2003, 08:39 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Whoah man, thats a borderline flame, carefully disguised as a sociological comment  <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> . I'm probably pretty naive to think that computer enthusiasts can have a civil discussion about operating system preferences, but lets give it a shot.

    I haven't tried setting up a home network on it, but I've been printing remotely all year without any difficulty. It is true though that if you really want to make the most out of a network then XP pro is the better choice, though Remote desktop is the only thing I feel the absence of with XP home. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    It wasn't intended as a flame. The simple fact is that XP Home is designed for people of the non-technological persuasion. Which is why so many shop bought computers (in england at least) ship with it.

    But i +know+ my network is configured properly, i've been networking for years now and tbh there's no logical reason at all for XP's networking downfalls. And also it has been looked at by my brother (who works all day doing networks for a big london company) and a few friends, all of whom know their stuff about computers.
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    For me, Win XP Pro is the best MS os I've ever used. ever. ever.

    I tried win2000 twice, and I always had problems w/ hardware and I never could get Quake III to run right (had a bunch of really really nasty visual artifacts on the screen. Kinda like Vsync off, but about 10x as bad). Also had problems with stability of all things.

    WinXP though runs like a dream for me. I've had no problems w/ any of my hardware, and my system hasn't been this rock solid stable since MS-DOS 5.0.
  • EpochEpoch Join Date: 2002-10-10 Member: 1474Members
    Thanks very much for the comments, everyone.

    From what it sounds like, I can't go wrong with XP or 2000 Professional. Based on the opinions here, I'll probably get a copy of XP Professional. The only draw-backs I can see are the licensing agreement and the higher memory usage, but I will be upgrading my RAM within a few months, so that should not be an issue.

    To DY357LX:
    1. It performs well. I haven't put it through any benchmark tests or anything, but I have been satisfied.
    2. No problems thus far.
    3. Windows XP Professional treats it as if it were an Athlon XP 1800. I am unsure if I can fix this easily or not, or if it needs to be fixed at all. I do not know how Linux will treat it (i.e. what speed it will register at).
    4. No, I haven't overclocked it. In all honesty, I don't know how to do this. Care to fill me in?

    Again, thank you for your insightful comments!
  • MedHeadMedHead Join Date: 2002-12-19 Member: 11115Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin--Epoch+Jun 24 2003, 06:51 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Epoch @ Jun 24 2003, 06:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I'll probably get a copy of XP Professional. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    <span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'><b>KHAAAAANNN!!!</b></span>
  • InfinityXInfinityX Join Date: 2003-04-07 Member: 15275Members
    Are you sure you have the right Front Side Bus setting?
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