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Thread: Could do with some O/S advice please.

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    Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Hi guys,

    I'm looking at building a new rig soon and could do with some advice, it should have 4gb or 8gb of RAM as I will be running largish databases and virtual machines.

    As such been looking at x64 operating systems, now I just cannot get along with Vista, it has lasted less than 24 hours in the past when it came pre-installed on new hardware before reverting back to XP.

    The problem is that I need to be learning Vista as I plan to upgrade my MCDST qualification to MCTS and MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician certifications for Vista.

    I am wondering if Windows XP x64 (aka 2003 WS) will be a viable choice for my regular everyday O/S, my current XP x86 install has been stable for over 4 years, in fact I use to reinstall 2k every 3 to 6 months back in the day.

    I think I can just about live with Vista in a VM.

    Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
    Last edited by rs4847; 30-05-2008 at 02:09 AM.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    There are a fair number of people on here who dislike XP64 with a passion, and I have to admit, I did myself (stung by when it was released) until recently.

    I decided to give it a try a couple of months back, and I've noticed little / no difference to a normal XP32 install, bar the extra use of the RAM and the additional speed (which probably is all pretty much derived from the fact its a new install, not being 64-bit)

    If this due to the latest service packs + patches / updates from MS making it into a better OS, of if its because more app's that have been ported to Vista have more in common with XP64 then previously (If thats the case) - I've honestly no idea.

    All I can say is that from the last couple of months of planning to use it to "play around with", its very close to becoming my primary Windows OS, next to Ubuntu.

    I'm sure there is going to be software out there that doesn't work with it, but I've not come across any yet which I was *very* surprised about. More so as I use some really obscure 3D programs and development tools which are hardly considered mainstream.

    All I can suggest is that you try it. The worst that has to happen is you fall back to 32bit XP / Vista. I am not a huge fan of Vista either, so I know how you feel - but I just hope everyone else who replies doesn't turn this into a "OMG Vista is FINE SINCE SP1!?!!11" thread that we commonly get.

    Regards
    Last edited by directhex; 30-05-2008 at 07:10 AM.
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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Vista x64 is pretty good, especially if you install it yourself(My little bro got a laptop with it pre-intsalled and it was horrid, loads of bloat) and kill UAC. It's my main OS now, wasn't a fan at first, but it's fine for home use now IMO. Having 4GB RAM helps a lot to.

    If it was just for the large DB's and VM's. I'd use XP64 personally, but you want to learn vista for your qualifications. Which is more important/pressing right now? That'd be the deciding factor for me.

    If you do decide on vista I'd recommend the 8GB rather than 4GB for what you're doing. Vista really likes RAM like a fat kid likes cake.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Thanks guys!

    I still have some ancient programs that need 16bit support so will be running XP x86 in a VM.

    I am wary of running Vista as my main O/S as I will be no doubt breaking it a few times, so I think I'll go down the XP x64 route and stick Vista in a VM until I think it's ready, at least I can break it and not worry about it.

    I have had past experiences with Vista beta's, RC's and RTM, so I'm not a total n00b, I just can't stand it.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    if its large DBs and such i'd look at 2008, most peoples annoyances with vista are UI related, sorry if i'm almost insulting you buy suggesting your one of them.

    but 2008 of course has the interface aimed at the user who knows what he's doing a bit more. (please see this for chaning the prompt behaviour for UAC, disabling it IS ****ING MORONIC. Blue : Windows Server 2008 User Account Controls Video ).

    I wouldn't say to use it for a production thing that can't be reset once a week. But i've been playing with this absolutely fine on a much lower spec box (clocked 6600 2 gig ram).

    XP64 is mature now, and most apps that run under it have fixed their 64bit worries.
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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Vista UI is one thing, my main problem is continually ending up in a BSOD loop most times, seems just to happen out of the blue and doesn't require user intervention. Hardware is fine as are the drivers.

    We have been evaluating 2008 at our place, from what little I've played with I really would of liked to of seen 2008 Workstation as I think it's great. Will have a proper play if/when time permits.

    It will probably be sometime next year before it's put into production as we still have quite a few 2k servers to decommission, as such I'd rather not be using it as my main O/S.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Would a server-oriented OS be better for you rather than a desktop OS? Something like Windows 2003 Server perhaps?

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Quote Originally Posted by Taz View Post
    Would a server-oriented OS be better for you rather than a desktop OS? Something like Windows 2003 Server perhaps?
    Not sure for everyday use, I still game occasionally, use media player classic, iPlayer, winamp etc.

    I am sorry I should of been more clearer, the DB side of it is not in frontline production, just me auditing stuff when I have the time.

    VM's I do need, again not in frontline production or running 24/7, but rather me using them to test changes and for study.

    I am looking for stability on my home rig more than anything as I don't have the time to be looking at my own rig, so XP x64 being mature is a good thing in my eye's.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    remeber XP 64 is based on server 2003 64bit.

    if you will use the extra benefit of the server OS, its easy to get it so you can game on it.

    i'd really go with 2008, got it running on two machines flawlessly now since the middle of last month (when i got said machines). If you buy an XP 64 now its not really that good value for money because its going to be depcrachated by the middle of the summer.
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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Just use Vista FFS, it works, XP was a bad dream and we should all forget it ever existed. Seriously... a day isn't enough to get a feel for an Operating System, that's like test driving a car around the garages car park.
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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Well he made it clear he doesn't want to use Vista.....

    Its his machine and his choice. Telling him to use an OS he doesn't want, for whatever reason, is about as useful as telling him to install OS/2 on it
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    I have a dual boot XP32 / Vista x64 rig. After going dual use for a while, I've pretty much fully migrated to Vista and like it a lot. That's after plenty of frustration, trouble shooting and tweaking by the way. I don't like the thought of going back to a fresh Vista install, where as on XP it was quite appealing.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Quote Originally Posted by TheAnimus View Post
    remeber XP 64 is based on server 2003 64bit.

    if you will use the extra benefit of the server OS, its easy to get it so you can game on it.

    i'd really go with 2008, got it running on two machines flawlessly now since the middle of last month (when i got said machines). If you buy an XP 64 now its not really that good value for money because its going to be depcrachated by the middle of the summer.
    I will look at 2003 server 64bit standard edition again, like I was trying to say I do like 2008, but I think it's too new atm. Depreciation isn't really a concern to me, I didn't upgrade from NT4 WS to 2k Pro unil SP2 was out, and didn't upgrade to XP Pro til SP2 was out and I am still using that said install around 4 years later.

    Quote Originally Posted by aidanjt View Post
    Just use Vista FFS, it works, XP was a bad dream and we should all forget it ever existed. Seriously... a day isn't enough to get a feel for an Operating System, that's like test driving a car around the garages car park.
    Wow didn't realise the Vista love was so strong on here! I appreciate your opinion, but you also have to remember some people buy cars on just how the door close clunk sounds.

    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    Well he made it clear he doesn't want to use Vista.....

    Its his machine and his choice. Telling him to use an OS he doesn't want, for whatever reason, is about as useful as telling him to install OS/2 on it
    Indeed I don't want to, but have too.

    Quote Originally Posted by Uriel View Post
    I have a dual boot XP32 / Vista x64 rig. After going dual use for a while, I've pretty much fully migrated to Vista and like it a lot. That's after plenty of frustration, trouble shooting and tweaking by the way. I don't like the thought of going back to a fresh Vista install, where as on XP it was quite appealing.
    This is sort of what I am planning, I will run anything x64 but Vista as my main everyday O/S, and then run Vista in a VM for study, if/when I am happy with it then I will consider migrating fully. Okay everyone happy now?

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    .. is about as useful as telling him to install OS/2 on it
    God, i rember trying OS/2 years ago, i think it came free on a magazine. The word horrendous comes to mind

    I've just gone the Vista x64 route and am very happy. I don't game much but use CS3, CaptureNX and couldn't be happier, CS4 x64 is due soon and looking forward to trying that out.

    I think alot of the problems relating to vista are driver related (Creative anyone?) or people expecting too much from oldish hardware. I run it with a Q9450, 8 gb ddr2 and an old 7800gtx with no problems whatsoever. I'll be upgrading the gfx card soon to the new Nvidia one but this old GTX scores 5.8 in the performance index so it's not too bad for an old card.

    Stability wise it's as stable as i could want, no bsods at all.

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    Consider VMWare & Linux...

    I am happily running Ubuntu (64bit - dual-core AMD)

    I have VMware workstation with which I have tailored a variety of specific XP variants (a baseline and then offfice / VPN / Multimedia variants) which have only the software I want on it - Windows works better without multiple versions of software being installed and de-installed.

    I think you need to do the initial install with workstation (for which a 21 day trial is usually available) but I have never had a problem creating new variants or installing new software using vmware player.

    I've got the stability and OS I want, with the software I need from time to time...

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    Re: Could do with some O/S advice please.

    VMware-server is free, too, and near enough as good as workstation.
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