Hi there
If you like XP and are still on TechNet why don't you download W2003 (W2K3) SERVER and then follow these steps to run it as a desktop OS -- mainly as a VM though it's easier.
Use XP drivers for installing any specific hardware.
Life support is longer than XP -- you have until JUNE 2015.
There was a time when I used Server 2000 as a desktop and it worked quite well. But one issue was that most free AV software would not run on a server. This is specifically prevented in the software because the supplier has expensive versions for server use. There were a few free options but not many.
There was a time when I used Server 2000 as a desktop and it worked quite well. But one issue was that most free AV software would not run on a server. This is specifically prevented in the software because the supplier has expensive versions for server use. There were a few free options but not many.
Hi there
Ms's MSE works fine on W2K3 server (Microsoft security essentials and is FREE).
Most 3rd party free vendor AV software IMO is rubbish anyway -- no better than MS's - especially for Windows 8 and above. Also if you isolate your VM from the Internet you won't need much protection anyway.
Comparison reports are no good either as these are always DAYS if not WEEKS out of date.
These days it's things like Identity theft and money scams are likely to be more of a problem than simple viruses (or even complex ones). Most Hackers have moved on to more profitable ventures now -- the biggest danger is USERS themselves -- they answer emails etc without checking the senders, give Bank account data out without thinking and fall for filling in data when an official site "mimicks a real one" such as an Income Tax refund site.
Even downloading stuff from torrents is less risky these days - at least from the point of view of malware being added to your system than downloading stuff from some legit download sites where the actual download is hidden away - so people often download all sorts of toolbars and "trialware" rather than the real piece of software they are after.
Usually true but I have some old expensive hardware which will probably OUTLIVE ME !!!. For example I still can make Vinyl records -- the hardware I've got only works on XP - and I'm not going to be able to find any decent Hardware / Software for physically cutting Vinyls at any reasonable price that will work on W8. I get the live gig recorded via Minidisc -- also needs Win XP (although it can be kludged to work on W7) to get the FLAC / WAV music into the computer and then transfer the Minidisc music to Vinyl (XP).
Minidisc recording is quite decent unlike mobile phone voice recorder !!! .
BTW there's a surprisingly large market for Vinyls these days -- I get loads of Blanks from a factory in Taiwan.
People don't stop going to Art galleries even though they can use the Internet to look at the art -- same way Horses can still be ridden even though Cars will get you to your destination a lot more conveniently (usually) and quicker. Same way with boats - a big ship is usually quicker than a small sailing boat - but people still use those too.