Still using XP?

[jmurray01]

I just wondered, whilst browsing Vacuum Land on my old 2004 Viglen PC running Windows XP Professional, how many of you are still doing the same?


 


Personally I am not bothered one bit by the lack of "support" from Microsoft.  Heck, they dropped support for Windows 2000 in 2010 and up until February 2013 I was still using it problem free.  I still would be now if it hadn't been for the fact that the actual computer seems to have broken (won't turn on).  If I ever get around to fixing it one day I will happily return to 2000 in a heart beat.


 


It is a bit like a vehicle warranty.  A lot of people will, after the warranty expires, quickly sell their car and replace it with a new one because it is no longer covered financially if it breaks down.  Thing is though, if you are careful and use due care and attention, the chances of that happening are slim.


 


To convert that into computers, if you use reputable anti-virus and anti-malware programmes and are responsible on the internet with regards to links you click on and websites you visit, there should be no reason for you to worry!


 


What do you think?

 

[jfalberti]

I haven't run XP in years

I skipped Vista and went directly to Windows 7.  Been perfectly happy with it.  I also run Windows 8.1 Pro, and with the update that came out yesterday, it is much better now too.  Of course, I own strictly Mac hardware now, and on the rare occasion I need to run Windows, it is in a VM under OS X Mavericks. 


 


Joe

 

[danemodsandy]

XP:

Has been the most satisfactory and reliable Microsoft OS I've ever used, and I go back to Win 3.1.

I'm sticking with it as long as practicable. There will come a day when software is a problem; I remember that from when I held on to Win98 forever. The OS worked fine, but there came a point when I couldn't find anti-virus stuff, etc.

At that point, I'll have to move on, but I'm hoping that will be a while, because XP is still so widely used.

 

[super-sweeper]

i have too many old computers!

Mainly 98 and XP, even a 1986 IBM D.O.S Machine I need to get working once more! I was using XP just the other day, and I would use it more if I could figure out connecting the thing to Wi-Fi!


 


I hardly EVER use a computer for word processing, though. I always stay truthful to the Typewriter (and they say Windows 2000 is outdated!). I love the simplicity and vintage-ness of the procedure! All you do is turn the thing on and insert paper (some models don't even need power!). No expensive ink cartridges, no printers, monitors, or software envolved! The ribbon for my beloved Smith-Corona was purchased in late 2012, for $12.50! 

 

[Anachronism]

I have no use for fancy graphics while dealing with book keeping, hence Quicken 5 still handles all my business & personal finance, and it will run on DOS 2.5. XP is the last Microsoft platform to accomodate such software. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

As for word processing, I still have the L.C. Smith & Brothers machine that got me through college & my time as a battalion chief clerk in the Marine Corps. Instant hard copy, immune to viruses & power surges, and if you like to fish, it can hold the boat still. In service since 1930.

Likewise, I still have my Friden Calculator, which can multiply, DIVIDE, add, subtract & carry a memory, all mechanical and only $1,200.00 in 1950. It also can stabilize a fishing boat.

The idea that everything stored on magnetic media becomes inaccessible every couple years is insane!!

My next upgrade will be to Linux.

 

[beko1987]

I don't run XP now anyway, but have run OS's before with no av or firewall with no I'll effect. Half the issue is opening dodgy emails, clicking web adverts etc.

Be a bit savvy, install adblock and chrome and XP will be fine for years. Most routers have a built in firewall anyway nowadays, our pos sky router does!

I have a PC for the shed ready, that will probably have xp or Linux mint on, haven't decided yet!

 

[parwaz786]

On our laptop/notebook mini laptop thing (Acer Aspire) it has Windows 8 which I hate.
In School we have Windows 7, used to have Windows XP though. And the Home Computer has Windows 7 (My fav)
The Home computer is a Thinkpad/ Lenovo thing
Pretty good TBH

STAY AWAY FROM TOSHIBA- They don't last and are crap. They are good at first, (like a Vax)

 

[ultimatevacman]

Tayyab, I have a Toshiba laptop from 1991 that still works.

 

[tase]

Ugh. I ditched XP on all of my computers a year ago. There's no reason for me to use it outside of a virtual machine. Vista, 7, and 8 are all superior to XP anyway.


 


Once Windows 8.1 gets the start menu back (There's a PCWorld article about it coming back) my daily computers will get upgraded to that. I enjoy Windows 8 on my Thinkpad x60 tablet, but I don't like it on my Macbook.

 

[beko1987]

Oooh that will only run windows 95. I heard support for that is a bit lax...

Maybe 95 will be uber safe now that all the hackers have moved on! Maybe we are missing a trick, maybe it's time to make my Q6600 Core2Quad 2gb (one stick died)ram 512mb graphics old faithful fly!

'Windows 95 can only recognise 512mb...'
oh...

 

[super-sweeper]

Windows 8,

I couldn't find notepad for the life of me!

 


I CAN, however, EASILY flip the little turn-switch of my beloved SCM machines! I was running a secretarial marathon last night on the deluxe Electra 220, with power return and keys! Had to break it out after the little brother machine (Electra 110, Electric Keys but manual return) blew the plug off it's cord after a slight case of electrical confusion the other night! You should see how fast and accurate I was on that 220, if I could type that fast on a newer keyboard they'll be little plastic keys flying around the room!

 


1991, now to get the '86 IBM going and show you a working old computer!

 


-Alex.

 

[Anachronism]

Unfortunately, mice took up house-keeping in my Xerox 860, leading to it's demise. I still have quite a pile of 8" floppies, tho.

 

[super-sweeper]

'pile of 8 inch floppies'

I couldn't help but laugh at that sentence! But I'm sure you mean DISKETTES! Didn't bother upgrading to reel-to-reel, huh?

  


 


Here's you the tv add for the 1959 model 914 Xerox, defined as 'sexist'. Ms.Jones plays the part of an under-skilled Secretary, who is incapable of tying, filing, etc. How this ad is seen as sexist is beyond me. It is her paying job as a Secretary, not her job as a women. I doubt a corporate CEO would know how to file, anyhow!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=swyqrf1PZjg

 

[bikerray]

XP on my desktop
Windows 7 on my laptop

The desktop is a Compaq Presario, the motherboard will only support 512 Mb of memory and it has a 20 gig harddrive devided into 16 gig for the C drive and 4 gig for the D drive. Compaq stores Windows XP and all the programs they give you on the D drive since they don't give you a copy of Windows XP on CD rom. So if the whole hard drive dies you're pretty much screwed. By the time I loaded Windows 7 on the Compaq I wouldn't have any room for the other programs.

I know people who have Windows 8 and are now reinstalling Windows 7.

 

[Anachronism]

Reel to reel

By the time I found a reel to reel drive I had already parted out all the Burroughs Datamatic panels for the tube sockets, caps & resistors

 

[davetranter]

Still using XP??

Yes.... I'm typing on an XP machine now!! I only use XP for the Internet, and the few other things which I can't do on Win98SE, which is my favourite OS... (DOS 6.2 coming in as a close second)

All best

Dave T

P.S. I agree that remaining 'virus-free' has more to do with careful browsing than software updates.

P.P.S. I have never owned a car with a 'warranty' ;-)

 

[jfalberti]

And so it starts

Microsoft confirms major hole in IE versions  6 through current security.  No fix coming for XP.



http://www.cnet.com/news/stop-using-ie-until-bug-is-fixed-says-us/

 

[jmurray01]

 And conveniently, they didn't know about this security flaw when XP was still supported but rather came across it just as support was dropped...  Yeah, I believe you Microsoft - just a coincidence.  

 

[suctionselector]

XP

I don't need to worry about Window's XP, or 7, or 8 to be honest.


 


I use Snow Leopard on my iMac and my MacBook Pro, and I never get any hassle!


 


Will be upgrading to Lion soon - but not too sure about the phone-like interface that comes with it.