Last updated on: April 14, 2007
Windows XP
Original Release and SP1
Click for computer hardware support
Click to return to the home page
Click for information on digital photography and graphics support
Click to get the most from the Internet
Click for support on maintaining a SOHO Network
Click for simple WEB Design support including Homestead
COMPATIBILITY              Last update 8/15/04

Windows XP is NOT an upgrade of 95/98/ME. It is an upgrade of NT4.  In general you will have fewer problems if your software is compatible with Windows NT. 

A lot of difference exist between the original XP release and service pack #1.

Useful Utilities
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:         Last Update 8/15/04

Windows XP requires a lot of computer capability.  Do not try to install it on machines slower than 1GHZ or with less than 128MB of RAM.

We had LOTS of problems, click here for details.

Service Pack 2
COMPATIBILITY

Service Pack #2 is not an innocuous update that makes programs run better.  It makes about 15% of programs fail.  In many cases we have found subtle failures - most of a program may work while selected features don't.

Also, device drivers that work for prior XP releases may be non-compatible in SP2. You have to test everything!!!
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

We avoided implementing SP2 as long possible.In most cases SP2 tells you when a program has major compatibility problems.  Subtle failures occur, even on software sold by Microsoft and many are just not fixable!

Click here for more information on SP2

Build an Emergency BOOT CD/DVD

Bart's PE Builder helps you build a bootable Windows CD-Rom or DVD from the original Windows XP or Windows Server 2003 installation/setup CD.

Suitable for PC maintenance tasks it provides a complete Win32 environment with network support, a graphical user interface (800x600) and FAT/NTFS/CDFS filesystem support.
Cure the problem of lost connections

- after the removal of Adware components or improper uninstall of firewall applications or other tools that modify the XP network and Winsock settings.

- after removing network related software, Adware or after registry clean-up; and all other ways fail, then give WinSock XP Fix a try.

Expand the capabilities of XCOPY with FREE Uitility XXCOPY. Handles long file names, backups, synchronizing folders, etc.