Is XP still an option?

[systemERROR]

I have an old box laying around and want to do something with it. It has a p4,2.5 GB RAM and a low end nVidia AGP card.

It is capable of running W7,Server 2008 and various distro's of Linux. But the reason I ask is, it has a built in wireless that seems only usable in XP and an old Ubuntu distro.
And I don't want to go down the route of Ubuntu (again) for this project.

So is using XP on a daily basis still a viable option?

[A Guy]

Not really, all support for XP has ended. You can no longer legitimately purchase XP anywhere. You'd be better off running a good Linux distro. As you say, others have successfully run Windows 7 on such specs, but Aero would be an iffy proposition depending on the GPU. A Guy

[Kees]

I have an old box laying around and want to do something with it. It has a p4,2.5 GB RAM and a low end nVidia AGP card.

It is capable of running W7,Server 2008 and various distro's of Linux. But the reason I ask is, it has a built in wireless that seems only usable in XP and an old Ubuntu distro.
And I don't want to go down the route of Ubuntu (again) for this project.

So is using XP on a daily basis still a viable option?

If you still have an usable XP-license, just use it up, but I would not spend any money on purchasing one. Anyway, what you want to use it for? For word-processing and browsing XP is fine, but internet security is mediocre.

[FunkY]

Anyway, what you want to use it for? For word-processing and browsing XP is fine, but internet security is mediocre.

That's the point what i think too. If u use it just for gaming, job, make graphics, writing text u can install even older Windows than XP if you want, there's no any rules for that If your programs just support older OS etc. The most important point is now, is this PC gonna be online?

[Ceyfer √]

Is XP still an option?

I have an old box laying around and want to do something with it. It has a p4,2.5 GB RAM and a low end nVidia AGP card...built in wireless that seems only usable in XP .

Yah, your hardware specs is superior for Windows Xp computing.

I still have two XP boxes with me, the functionality is still relevant, superb & pretty manageable.Security and Os support is still plenty at this moment.Overall, it's up to you, and what you wish to do with it.

"Adjustment" is the keyword here.

[JayCub]

Im with Ceyfer on this one, although i have an old machine i can use for linux, i will be keeping XP on it as well, and use XP mode on windows 7, i have seen Win 2000 and XP still in use in hospitals, it will never be my main O/S of choice now but it still has its uses.

[brightspark]

Is XP still an option?

If you can get your hands on a copy of XP then yes, of course it is. MS end of support date for XP is not until 2014 and it is still supported by almost all good [popular] freeware.

My advice, for an older machine like that, would be to spend as little as humanly possible (zero dollars would be good ). Do you still have an XP license on hand that would pass validation?

Cheers....Jim

[safeguy]

It is. If you're concerned over the security aspects of it (regardless of the lack of official support), you can play around with Windows hardening or/and 3rd-party tools to get the job done. If you want something "similar" (albeit not exactly the same) to the UAC (Vista/7) or sudo (GNU/Linux) experience, you can run under LUA and toy around with SuRun. And if you're concerned over aesthetics, you can always use 3rd-party themes to enhance the looks of Windows XP desktop...

But then again, if you're overly worried over using something without support or what some may call 'outdated', then why not run Win7 or some other Linux distros that the machine is capable of running and 'enjoy' the updates and other goodies/features that it may offer. If you're concerned of performance, you can always do some tweaks ( be careful to make sure they're valid and not debunked) and make a wise selection of the 3rd-party apps that you run/use...

As they say, the choice is in your hands.

[Bearcat]

I have XP installed in a dual boot on my PC and find myself using it quite a lot. I have never found security to be a problem in all the years I've used XP, but I suppose it all depends on how you plan to use the computer. I also have an older PC that still runs Windows 98 and enjoy booting that up once in a while to play around on.

[ravi]

windows XP is still favorite for most. Windows 7 is modern, stylish and more secure... but if you want to use XP, you can use XP. On windows XP, install service pack 3 and use a good security suit.