Computer Help and Support

ucrdem

(15,702 posts)

5. Good point.

Mon Mar 17, 2014, 06:10 PM

Mar 2014

I left it out of the OP but here's my story: Some older 16-bit programs (like WP 5.1) will only run on DOS, Win 95/8, or Win XP. DOS and Win 95/8 are useless for most internet applications, so for connectivity, i.e. if you want to send your data to another PC somewhere, XP is the best alternative. Also, DOS and Win 95/8 machines can't handle most USB hardware, meaning floppy disks or nothing, and they stopped selling floppy disks several years ago. If that hadn't happened I'd still be using my 1996 HP Pavilion.

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To XP or not to XP . . . ? [View all] ucrdem Mar 2014 OP

another idea d_r Mar 2014 #1

Once you grok Linux, you'll never go back. hunter Mar 2014 #31

It's a good idea if you have Virtualbox to do the last updates while you can. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2014 #34

Thanks for the informative post! gvstn Mar 2014 #2

hey thank gvstn . . . ucrdem Mar 2014 #3

Part of the discussion should include why folks are still running XP ManiacJoe Mar 2014 #4

Good point. ucrdem Mar 2014 #5

I've got WP 5.1 and some other 16 bit software on an XP machine... TreasonousBastard Mar 2014 #7

Yeah but can X6 preview 5.1 files? ucrdem Mar 2014 #9

I've read it can, too, but the truth is... TreasonousBastard Mar 2014 #10

Yep publish to PDF is awesome. ucrdem Mar 2014 #12

70% of ATM's run on XP, IRS, Hospitals, UK doesn't want to give up on it... Mondavi Apr 2014 #40

There's nothing wrong with Windows 8.1 ... Fantastic Anarchist Aug 2016 #56

thread pinned, thank you ! nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #6

hey thanks Steve.. ucrdem Mar 2014 #8

Great post. And I agree heartily with the Linux Mint recommendation below it. n/t jtuck004 Mar 2014 #11

Thanks! ucrdem Mar 2014 #13

More on Oracle's VirtualBox VM ucrdem Mar 2014 #14

New drives come unformatted hobbit709 Mar 2014 #15

Drives in new machines are formatted. ucrdem Mar 2014 #16

I don't buy prebuilt machines If I can help it. hobbit709 Mar 2014 #17

If Windows 8 had been more accommodating it could have been a huge hit. ucrdem Mar 2014 #18

My review of it when I did an OEM install hobbit709 Mar 2014 #21

Profits over quality and something very worng at Microsoft.... Mondavi Apr 2014 #41

I've had some luck with the latest Opera browser on XP... ucrdem Apr 2014 #42

Yes, I went to Opera before Safari and liked... Mondavi Apr 2014 #43

Here's how to set up an XP-Win 7/8 dual boot: ucrdem Mar 2014 #19

ps - cautionary advice from an EasyBCD user forum mod, March 4, 2014: ucrdem Mar 2014 #20

MicroSoft Answers 10 End-of-Support FAQs: ucrdem Mar 2014 #22

WSJ, March 18: "How to Survive the Windows XPiration Date" ucrdem Mar 2014 #23

Of course the WSJ wants you to spend money for something you most likely won't need. hobbit709 Mar 2014 #24

LOL, true. But nothing lasts forever, ucrdem Mar 2014 #25

I can build 4 PCs for the price of one Mac. hobbit709 Mar 2014 #26

But you don't get free eyebrow waxes at the Apple store ucrdem Mar 2014 #27

"For the extreme computer literate" d_r Mar 2014 #28

"How to Install Linux Mint" ucrdem Mar 2014 #29

So you can do this with a direct download to try it out.... Mondavi Apr 2014 #49

Actually, dowloads can be tricky.... Mondavi Apr 2014 #44

I hate that happened to you d_r Apr 2014 #45

LINUX offers a disc you can buy with the program on it because.... Mondavi Apr 2014 #46

Never had a problem downloading an .iso and burning a disk from it. hobbit709 Apr 2014 #47

Thank you for the help.... Mondavi Apr 2014 #48

I'm using that wallpaper on Win8.1, love it nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #33

How to disable Secure Boot in Windows 8/8.1: ucrdem Mar 2014 #30

Windows XP support is ending on April 8 and scammers from India has become hyperactive! David_ness Mar 2014 #32

I Have A MacBook & Will Switch Over, BUT ChiciB1 Apr 2014 #35

did you mean Silverlight? Service Pack 3 is not a "driver update" hobbit709 Apr 2014 #36

^ good advice. ucrdem Apr 2014 #37

Got Your Messages... A Friend Of Mine Is ChiciB1 Apr 2014 #38

Message auto-removed Name removed Apr 2014 #39

UPDATE - A couple of notes on XP, MSE, WP, and Windows 9: ucrdem Aug 2014 #50

You can "trick" XP into getting updates until 2019. Ampersand Unicode Oct 2014 #51

How can I tell if my XP is 32 bit? truedelphi Nov 2014 #52

XP is 32 bit unless you have the 2003 XP pro X64 version hobbit709 Nov 2014 #53

Message auto-removed Name removed Feb 2015 #54

Update to end all updates ucrdem Aug 2016 #55