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Win Xp Status?


Cluttermagnet

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Cluttermagnet

Hi All-

 

Just wondering if when MS dropped updates support of XP whether or not they dropped activation support?

As a separate issue, this increasingly vulnerable OS could continue to see a useful life off line, but only if

the activation is still working.

 

I have a tower with a COA for XP Pro, but not the installed OS. I don't know if it is 64 bit or not. How would you

tell from the sticker? Did the 64 bit OS sticker say that it was 64 bit? If so, this one had a 32 bit XP- yet the tower

is 64 bit architecture- so I'm also confused there. Anyway my sticker is mute about 32 vs 64 bit.

 

Assuming I could get an install disk for the OS on the cheap, I might consider putting XP back on the box...

But if activation is now dead, so is that idea. Comments?

 

Thanks, Clutter

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Cluttermagnet

It's a Dell Precision 390, Fran. 2006 vintage, roughly.

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.66GHz, 64 bit machine.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Usually, XP showed no 32 vs. 64 bit if it was 32. The 64 bit COA stickers had 64 on them.

 

I installed XP on a computer a few months ago. I was able to fully update it through the April 2014 updates and activate the install.

 

After that disable and delete all network connections and uninstall the network driver.

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I turned on my netbook and was about to use it. when I was advised that WinXP was about to download and intalll an update. That was quite unexpected! I had to wait until it was finished,before I could turn it off. This happened about 4 days ago.

 

If I use it, I depend on ZoneAlarm firewall/antivirus to protect my system, and expect no more from Microsoft.

 

Cheers!

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Cluttermagnet

Usually, XP showed no 32 vs. 64 bit if it was 32. The 64 bit COA stickers had 64 on them.

 

I installed XP on a computer a few months ago. I was able to fully update it through the April 2014 updates and activate the install.

 

After that disable and delete all network connections and uninstall the network driver.

 

Can you imagine, then, that Dell intentionally and knowingly installed a 32 bit copy of XP Pro onto 64 bit architecture?

That just makes no sense- unless XP 64 bits was not yet released at the time my tower was manufactured.

 

Here's something that might tell- the ~2006 release of the Dell precision 390 series vs the date of the initial release of XP 64 bit?

Anyone know that Xp milestone date?

 

It sounds as if activation and updates still work, but of course no new updates for XP, only those already released.

Would it be naive to assume then that MS will keep those two capabilities operative online in perpetuity?

XP would obviously be useless, otherwise, as XP self- cripples after 30 days if not activated- at least that's how

I remember it being at the time...

 

My situation now devolves into another highly related question- if the original install was 32 bit and I were to

install 64 bit, would the COA sticker number still validate? Or is that box forever locked into 32 bit XP?

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Almost all PC type computers have been 64 bit architecture for a long time.

You still install the 32 bit version of Windows XP if your COA does not specify 64 bit.

It will work perfectly fine.

Edited by amenditman
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Cluttermagnet

OK, but what if I installed 64 bit XP. Would activation fail?

 

BTW yes I knew a 32 bit OS would run on 64 bit hardware. I did that inadvertently with Linux Mint on my Dell XPS-600.

Later on when I redid Mint on that box, I went with the 64 bit version, of course.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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I've seen on TigerDirect, their occasionally selling 32bit Windows, in 64bit systems, as an excuse to charge less money for the equiment. I have always thought that this was a shame!

 

However, this topic started my consideration of sometimes using a 32bit OS in a 64bit computer.As an instance, The OS that I'm currently using is a 32bit OS (Knoppix), and my laptop is a 64 bit latptop. You see, Knoppix is running in a 32bit USB memory stick. And I might say, it's doing a pretty good job. And, no, it is not a "live" version. This OS has persistance in the memory stick, along with crypto security.

 

The advantage of my doing this, is that I can put the memory stick in my pocket, and take it with me. Everything that I need is built-into that little memory stick. I can turn the power on, and nothing is lost. If I lose it, it will be useless to the one who finds it. That is, unless the finder can decrypt it.

 

The other advantage is that a 32bit OS will work anywhere. Whereas, if you take with you a 64bit OS, then you are stuck in having to find only a 64bit machine. 64bit wii not work in a 32bit machine.

 

Cheers!

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Cluttermagnet

Darned good point! I see where you are coming from. That sounds like a very practical way of doing things, too. Let me think on that. I'm sort of of the mindset "I have 64 bit architecture, why waste it?" But you make a whole lot of sense. My problem is that I don't yet have any experience with the 'OS in a flash drive' approach. It's high time I learn how to do that...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Guest LilBambi

If you are using Windows XP, I would think for the sake of good (non-Dell hardware standard drivers) and ones that do not cause blue screen drivers, I would go with 32-bit drivers and OS. There was a dual core Win XP from TigerDirect that a guy got that had 64-bit WinXP, and even something as simple as a standard Logitech webcam at that time caused it to blue screen periodically.

Edited by LilBambi
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Hi,

 

If you'd like to try using an OS in a USB memory stick, Id suggest that you use the largest memory-size you can afford. This way you'll have a good amount of memory left over for personal storage.

 

I'm running a full-blown Linux OS, in that stick. It's not a "live" version. Your personal information and OS setup will not be lost when you shut down the power. Of course there are a lot of Linux OS's available for this, but I'm currently using Knoppix. Unless you specify "English", it will default to German. Mr Knopper was the first one to invent the reality of "live" OS's. before it caught on universally. You just burn it as usual, to a DVD, then either install it into a regular hard drive, or into a USB memory. It is already setup to do this, and nothing special on your part will have to be done. to do this. Then just plug it into a computer, and boot it up. Just make sure that your Bios is setup to first select USB booting, before going to boot the internal hard drive.

 

Knoppix is not eye candy. It's style is more like the older versions of OS's. I like it because it is very easy to find what one is looking for. And for being crammed into a tiny memory stick, it is well stacked with quite a variety of applications, to suit anyone's needs.

 

Cheers!

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Cluttermagnet

I understand everything you wrote above, however I am a little sketchy on how exactly one causes the flash drive to have that Linux OS installed onto it. I've simply never gotten around to doing this- ever- up to now. I'll soon be doing my first. So I'm assuming I could do this while booted into an installed Linux OS? With the intended OS on a DVD sitting in my drive? Plug in the flash drive and install onto it? Linux is pretty much all I use these days, so I'd want to do it from Linux and install Linux. I just need to learn specifically how to do this task.

 

OTOH this thread represents renewed interest on my part in keeping at least somewhat proficient in using Windows XP and Win7, and continuing to have access to them. I presently have access to one install off Win7 on a machine I maintain (constant, daily access). Sometimes it would be handy to be able to launch XP or Win7 and use a few scientific programs I have accumulated. I have a nifty one for calculating component values for 'filters' (it's radio/electronic in nature). BTW I'm not sure which OS I would put on my first flash drive, but probably one that is Debian based, since I know Debian OS's best. I'll start a thread in the Linux forum when I'm ready to do that. Right now I have a 32G flash drive that has gone missing somewhere around the house. That's the only 'big' drive I own presently. Funny I never seem to lose or misplace my 2G drives...

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Cluttermagnet

If you are using Windows XP, I would think for the sake of good (non-Dell hardware standard drivers) and ones that do not cause blue screen drivers, I would go with 32-bit drivers and OS. There was a dual core Win XP from TigerDirect that a guy got that had 64-bit WinXP, and even something as simple as a standard Logitech webcam at that time caused it to blue screen periodically.

 

Yes, Fran- you guys make it clear the 32 bit is the way to go for a thumb drive OS. That's what I'll plan on doing. And maybe 32 bit XP would be fairly good on my (64 bit) Dell PW390. It's not going to see internet much- only when absolutely necessary (patches, activation). Therefore XP security is not a high priority for me (used to be). All I need is the functionality and I'll use it to good effect off line.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

Yes, guys- it's starting to come back to me- 64 bit hardware was out early on, but for a long time there was a real dearth of good (or even available)

software and drivers for 64 bit Windows. So maybe even today things are still not real smooth when it comes to 64 bit software.

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Regarding your question about the dates, John Carrona has that documented here: http://carrona.org/winreldt.html#10 Just scroll down to Windows XP x64 and click the link. It will open the table and show both x32 and x64 dates, including Service Packs.

 

(@Fran, John Carrona is the "other John", usasma at Sysnative)

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Hi.

 

I've used Windows or Linux to download and burn a CD/DVD. And it didn't make any difference whether it was a 32bit or a 64bit system to do this. A 32 bit system can easily download and burn a CD or DVD, even if what's being downloaded is a 64 bit software. The deciding factor to which OS I'd use for the downloading is determined on how much disk space I still have available to contain the (*.iso) file. K3B burner, burns the *.iso file into the platter by actually using the "dd" command. This means that K3B actually doesn't look at the entire software structure that it's burning. It just finds every .iso bit, and transfers it into the platter, bit-by-bit.

 

And Knoppix is based on Debian. You can use apt-get, aptitude, synaptic, etc... Perhaps you should download and burn a copy of this OS? And, this OS is live, so you can try it before keeping it. Installed or not, they both work the same, except that in live mode, you lose everything you did when you shut it down.

 

Installing the burned OS into a CD or DVD, is the same as doing it as when you install the OS into a hard drive. After all, the thumb drive is being treated as a hard drive. What makes it easy is that the particular OS that I'm using, the ability to install it into a thumb drive, is built into the installer. No blending with another external piece of software is needed to do so.

 

On another topic:

 

I still have WinXP on a netbook. I still use it for Internet access. I do realize that I won't get any new updates in the future, but that's fine. However, I do protect it using "ZoneAlarm" anti-virus and firewall combo. I've used this free application for way more than a decade. I've never had any problems with it. Should I lose XP, I'll just have to grin and bear it. I'll have to replace it with Linux. I do use it to update commercial applications that don't support Linux, such as TOMTOM and Magellan Road Mate, as well as the MagicJack telephone appliance. If it wouldn't be for that, Windows would be long-gone. But there are some products that Windows can't be gotten rid of. I mean a tablet that I have. I can't boot anything with it, using the USB, or SDD slot. The USB works fine with a USB mouse/keyboard, SSD card reader, but nothing that needs booting. Is this consipiracy??

 

Cheers!

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Hello,

 

As far as I know, Windows XP's activation and update servers are up and running and likely going to remain so for a very long time. I have not heard anything about Microsoft announcing shutting them down, and I would imagine that any notice would be given years in advance. For that matter, Microsoft still provides all of the service packs, hotfixes, patches and rollups for even older operating systems like Windows 2000 and NT, so I would not expect updates for Windows XP to disappear anytime soon.

 

That said, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to download any important updates via the KB articles and save them offline, just in case they did go away, someday.

 

From what I recall , most systems with Windows Vista initially (2006-2007ish) shipped with the 32-bit version over concerns of driver compatibility. Systems with 64-bit versions were sold as well, but targeted more at developer and professional users. As more and more hardware with 64-bit drivers entered the pipeline, this flipped around. Something similar occurred Windows 7 as well, as I recall, but a larger percentage of systems shipped with 64-bit versions. I think the last year or so before Windows 8's release, pretty much all Windows 7 systems shipped with 64-bit, unless ordered with a 32-bit version. As for Windows 8, the only place I've seen 32-bit versions offered of it offered is on Atom tablets, either due to the CPU only being 32-bit, or not having 64-bit driver support ready yet for the chipset.

 

Regards,

 

Aryeh Goretsky

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Cluttermagnet

Thanks, guys. A lot for me to digest, but I'm starting to form a clearer picture now! So I do think I may get an XP disk and put it back on that new (to me) tower- as an exercise. I'm remembering a scanner I haven't used for a while, that should work fine with XP. It will be good to have that back. Totally incompatible with Linux, as I remember...

 

As far as I know, Windows XP's activation and update servers are up and running and likely going to remain so for a very long time.

 

Thanks, Aryeh- A good, definitive answer. That's putting my mind at ease, and FWIW it makes good intuitive sense to me that they would maintain those servers for many years to come. Hope so, anyway.

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Cluttermagnet

Onederer- I had forgotten (or never knew) that Knoppix was Debian based. I'll take a fresh look at it. I've tried it before, was impressed, too. That's another story- but this is the Windows forum so I'll try to keep my comments a little more on topic.

 

Thanks for the great link, Corrine and Aryeh- isn't it fascinating how the 32 vs. 64 bit situation totally turned around. I sort of distantly watched all that unfold. Now the better security comes when you take advantage of the strengths of 64 bit architecture with Win 7 and 8.

 

But getting back to my situation, involving prospectively casual and intermittent use, 32 bit OS's sound like a better fit for me at this time and in this particular situation.

 

 

 

 

And Knoppix is based on Debian. You can use apt-get, aptitude, synaptic, etc... Perhaps you should download and burn a copy of this OS?

 

I'm running it live-DVD right now, but more on that in the Linux forum. Back to XP... I think I shall go look on Ebay for a reasonably priced copy of XP Pro 32 bit...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

If I may... what do you all think of this one? It's the only reasonably priced XP Pro 32 bit that I saw on Ebay-

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETELY-WINDOWS-Re-INSTALL-Repair-Restore-WIN-XP-32bit-PRO-Premium-Disk-/281387246966?pt=US_Operating_Systems_Software&hash=item4183fca576

 

Private source makes me nervous.

 

Ironically, I have authentic MS disks, at least a couple of them, for XP Home 32 bit. But my COA sticker is for XP Pro.

Could I do the lesser XP Home install under an XP Pro COA?

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Cluttermagnet

Yeah, but no Dell disk or any other software came with this tower- only a power cord, and no OS installed but a COA sticker on the case, which was one of the selling points. The hard drive had either been wiped or replaced. I'm guessing wiped.

 

Maybe I can find someone who has the XP Pro 32bit disk and would loan it long enough for me to do my install and activation. I don't see myself repeatedly installing XP, fiddling much with Windows, etc. Besides, I'd be imaging every step of the way, from new install through service packs through install of 3rd party software through install of free AV and anti- malware, etc. I always kept lots of images around for Windows. Bootit NG is my friend (it does imaging)...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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I'm no historian when it comes to Windows, but most machines I've seen from 2006 have run the 32 bit O/S. Most did not ship with enough memory to justify 64 bit anyway, and given the incompatibility issues 32 bit seemed wiser. I remember one of my neighbors getting a 64 bit machine around 2007 and she had all kinds of issues with everything from video to browser performance. 64 bit Windows XP was a little bit ahead of its time. Maybe it was 32 bits ahead of its time.

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Cluttermagnet

Yep, I think you're right about that, Mac. So 32 bits it is for me!

 

BTW some kind person has come up with an install disk for me. Yay!

 

So I'm going to redo this PW390 Dell tower yet again. I have a second

160G drive to put in there. I'll just pull the plug on the first one- or maybe

if the Linux OS I later put (dual booting) on that drive can handle it, I'll

re-connect the original drive and let grub sort it all out- then I'll have XP

and two different Linux flavors in the box.

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Linux has always been ahead when it comes to 64 bits. I have a 2005 Dell Optiplex 620 that has 3 GB of RAM and a Pentium D CPU. It ran Windows XP 32 bit but now it works great with Debian Wheezy 64 bit.

I don't bother with many older machines these days if they don't have 64 bit architecture. Maybe the odd Atom netbook, but that's it.

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Cluttermagnet

if you have a dell disk with microsoft xp, they work in any dell pc or laptop, from ancient to new.

they are self-activating.

(i've never had a dell disk (xp) in a dell pc bark at me for activation.)

 

This didn't fully register with me at the time you wrote it, Temmu. I've also heard this very same thing independently from another source. So I have this Dell PW 390- and soon I will have such a Dell disk on hand as well. I'll use it to get XP on the drive, do any service packs and updates that are available, and then protect the resource by keeping it offline. I'm at 'Casa Clutter' right now, and am about to wander downstairs to look for my old Visioneer USB scanner. I'll bring it to Betty's where the new (to me) Dell tower lives...

 

 

 

Found it- Visioneer 5800USB. Hope it still works after its 7 year vacation...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

So I have installed a second hard drive in my Dell PW390. It's a 160G 7200 IDE type.

I'm looking for opinions as to how much drive space to give XP. The general plan is

to put a big NTFS partition at the beginning, an extended partition in the middle, and

a FAT32 partition at the end. My inclination would be to allow maybe 50/60/50G

respectively. That's 50G for XP, 60G extended partition, which includes two ext3

partitions and a swap partition for Linux, then 50G for a common FAT32 partition.

Bearing in mind that this copy of XP will not accumulate a lot of files, nor will it be

heavily salted with 3rd party software, I'm thinking that 50G may actually be overly

generous. What is the usual footprint of XP? How about after all the service Packs?

BTW 40/80/40G is also making sense to me at the moment. Comments?

 

Thanks, Clutter

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Bearing in mind that this copy of XP will not accumulate a lot of files, nor will it be

heavily salted with 3rd party software, I'm thinking that 50G may actually be overly

generous. What is the usual footprint of XP? How about after all the service Packs?

BTW 40/80/40G is also making sense to me at the moment. Comments?

 

Thanks, Clutter

I generally allow a minimum of 4 GB for XP, but that is the bare minimum. If you are not going to load up on 3rd party software, 25 GB is generous for XP.

Make your shared data partition bigger with that extra space. 80 GB for your Linux partitions is a lot.

Edited by amenditman
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