topic replacing XP OS - some advice please in Selling

replacing XP OS - some advice please

pruetrading — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 03:59:42 GMT

XP is ending updates and support in early April, so I need to replace it. Currently I run automatic operating system updates and use Trend Micro Maximum Security titanium, with XP security protection disabled (I think..).

But Windows 8.1 has so many bells and whistles that I just won't use - I have an older computer that I use just for eBay, photo editing and email, I don't need touchscreen and support for latest apps etc. I don't really want to upgrade my computer either, its fine for the basic things that I do, though a bit slow sometimes. We already have other faster computers in the house

Can anyone advise me if I can get away with using an earlier Windows operating system than 8.1?

Thanks for any help

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

barney_rubbles — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 04:36:02 GMT

i have Windows 7 on my laptop & love it, i found it very easy to adapt from using XP to 7, the interface etc is very similair but it also runs better. Whereas tried windows 8 on friends computers & hated it, its so radically different it just took ages to work out how to do things, much more useful for tablets/phones though i think. What are the specs on your older computer?

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

kopenhagen5 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 05:01:33 GMT

I also like win7.

I think it the best windows ever produced.

Will continue with it until I can.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

clarry100 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 05:50:12 GMT

We have windows 7 on two computers and seems to be stable and OK mostly.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

davewil1964 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 06:34:11 GMT

I'm using XP SP3 and haven't updated it in the last 2 years. As I haven't had any problems in that time, I will continue to use it while I can, regardless of Microsoft support.

And it is my main (only) computer. In your situation it should be even less critical.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

go-tazz — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 08:20:08 GMT

It is better to go to Windows 7 which will be supported till at least 2020,(by which time their next windows 9 which

is due next year should be fully operational and PC friendly).

The main problem with XP will be that there will be no security updates,(which will make the system more

vulnerable to malware.

Why upgrade from XP

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

davewil1964 — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 09:36:15 GMT

i haven't updated in 2 years, Corny.

Maybe the scammers are targetting 7 and beyond these days?

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

pruetrading — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 11:10:42 GMT

Thanks Dave and every one else for your replies. Will upgrade to Windows 7 based on everyone's advice

Prue

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

bright.ton42 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 02:40:11 GMT

So you've been lucky, but I think once the Win support finishes for XP the hackers

will have a field day. Google 'XP security' to see what the boffins say.

I'm also on Win 7 and think it's terrific, so easy to navigate. I dread getting a new pc and have to use Win 8.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

xprs1 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:00:44 GMT

Yes, you can use an OS earlier than Windows 8.1. I use Windows 7 and there is really only 2 caveats I can think of that you may need to consider. Amount of Ram: Firstly, I would recommend 4Gb of RAM if you can afford it and you run several programs at once. I recommend 2Gb as a minimum amount of RAM for day to day work with one or two programs at a time. Older peripheral Hardware: While some device types (routers, keyboards, mice etc) are usually perfectly fine with newer Windows there are problems for older printers, scanners, multi function printers etc. Although Windows 7 (and I believe this would apply with any version of Windows 😎 can support older printers, as it can sometimes work if you install an older Windows XP driver, the Windows 7 support for said printers can sometimes be weak. I would suggest from my experience (as an office admin, and technical support person of many years) that the older your devices are (besides your PC) the less well any newer Windows OS (7 or 😎 will support them. for printers this is because Microsoft did a major revamp of printer support that changed how driver were implemented. Also, in case you can score a free copy of Windows Vista, its support is weak for older Windows XP era devices. As always search the web for upgrading advice for your hardware. PS: Actually I would avoid Windows Vista as I find it to be slow (and with the earlier non service pack versions) buggy.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

pruetrading — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 03:39:54 GMT

Thanks xprs1, thats helpful advice. I plan to use Windows 7 after everyone's advise. I don't run many programs so will go for 2G of RAM. I use an old HP photosmart printer C4289 all in one, I guess I'll just test it and see if there are any problems, otherwise I'll buy a new one.

With all the work from Aust Post postage increases and now eBay's FVF on postage, i'm dreading another job of having to back up and clean everything off my computer, and then having to re-install everything... might just go to a computer shop!

Prue

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 08:34:46 GMT

If you go to a computer shop, for back up and transfer to a new system, go to one that has been recommended to you if you can.

a lot of guys/girls in those stores are great, but you would want a quick turn around if you need your computer for eBay sales/other income.

some of those stores have staff which are heavily into other projects so it might not be that quick 🙂

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

davewil1964 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:18:21 GMT

@bright.ton42 wrote:
So you've been lucky, but I think once the Win support finishes for XP the hackers
will have a field day. Google 'XP security' to see what the boffins say.
I'm also on Win 7 and think it's terrific, so easy to navigate. I dread getting a new pc and have to use Win 8.

Why? I don't go to suss sites, don't click on links in emails, have good up-to-date virus protection and a firewall.

I suspect the hackers won't bother with XP when nobody but me is using it.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:32:48 GMT

Dave, hackers do not have to specifically target XP.

7, and 8, contain components of XP.

Hackers targetting vulnerabilities in those, could be, by default, able to target those same vulnerabilities in XP.

Microsoft would provide a security patch for those using 7 and 8, leaving XP users vulnerable to the same flaw on XP.

Security issues can happen without clicking on dubious links or visiting dodgy websites.

websites can be mirrored or "cloned", where the user is unaware it is not the real site; ports can be accessed by just being connected to the internet, if there are weaknesses in a firewall...

Antivirus providers are going to do the best they can to maintain protection for XP, and provide a strong firewall. However, they are not guaranteeing complete protection.

For anyone concerned, see the website of your Antivirus provider for what they are offering regarding XP, as there will be time limits that vary.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

davewil1964 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 10:41:34 GMT

Then those patches would have already been provided by Microsoft?

I won't be using a different OS until I have to buy a new computer.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 11:03:53 GMT

Not for XP.

because they will be new patches for newly exposed vulnerabilities, in XP's code, but the patch only given to those on 7 and 8, soon.

not patches released for 7 and 8 for previously known flaws in XP, those will have been issued already.

XP has been around a long time, but not all flaws may have been patched yet.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 11:15:40 GMT

Essentially, Antivirus providers can say they will provide software to protect XP, but they cannot guarantee protection against all attacks, as they did not write the system code, so are not responsible for discovering and patching flaws.

Microsoft is, as it is their code, but they have decided to stop, to encourage a move to the new system.

Which is why the best form of protection for any system is to have both Antivirus and Microsoft security patches.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

davewil1964 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 12:59:20 GMT

I'll risk it. As I have for the last 2 years.

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

amber-eyed-girl — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 13:19:49 GMT

Cool.

but you would have had security patches in those years.

not advocating any course either way, just information 🙂

Re: replacing XP OS - some advice please

harley_babes_hoard — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 13:29:51 GMT

Go with win 7, 8 is just cr.ap. I had to pay to pur a darn start button back because it was to hard to use without it. I had to google how to turn the thing off, fisrt time. I not a computer illeterate person either.