Search:

Home | Computers


How to keep Windows XP after June 30

By: Kay Brenner

Our most beloved operating system is packing its bags for the big switch off. At the end of June 2008, Microsoft will stop offering support for Windows XP.

The news comes as a big disappointment to those of who have come to trust the system, which we have grown to love and still favor over the troublesome Microsoft Vista. Since its release, the average user has spent 8000 hours in front of their PCs connected to the Internet.

If you are not prepared to go down the path of uprading to Windows Vista, what are you options after the cut-off date other than switching to Mac OS X or Linux?

Solving Tech Problems with Windows XP

In terms of getting support for the numerous technical issues that XP users come across everyday, some form of support from Microsoft will exist until at least 2014, so that gives you another six years, although the support may be more difficult to get hold of.

The other way around this problem is to simply type your problem into Google. Chances are if you've had a particular issue, so have loads of other people, and you're bound to find the solution somewhere online, as well as it being a lot easier than phoning Microsoft.

Options for XP on New PC

As for buying XP on a new PC despite the bosses at Microsoft quite categorically stating that you won't be able to do so after 30th June in reality you will. So they lied but it's actually done us XP lovers a favor so we're not going to complain.

Smart vendors who have an inventory of unused licenses, and same goes for other retailers, will still be able to sell you machine with XP preinstalled.

Switching Operating Systems

Downgrade rights are the second way for you to get your hands on a new computer with XP. If a manufacturer has downgrade rights from Microsoft, they'll be able to sell you a PC that started on Vista, but which they downgraded to XP before they sold it to you.

If this is the case, you'll be supplied with the discs for XP and it's drivers, as well as the same discs for Vista, so you can re-upgrade at a later date if you decide to. Dell have confirmed that they will make this option open to customers, but it only lasts out until January 31st next year.

'Limited Hardware Capabilities'

The final way you're going to be able to get XP is by purchasing a computer with what Microsoft refers to as having 'limited hardware capabilities,' a solution which is open until June 2010. This is basically a machine that can't handle the enormous demands of Vista, so has to run XP instead, and includes laptops with low power CPUs, and low cost desktop PCs which have slow processors, not much RAM, and no separate processor for graphics.

XP Still Has Life Yet

XP still has some shelf life yet. There are still legal ways to purchase XP at least until June 2010, which is likely to be extended. Support for XP will be until 2014, allowing us enough time to get used to another operating, probably Vista's successor. Long Live XP!

Article Source: http://www.particlearticles.com

Kay Brenner is a PC Tune Up expert who restores slow PCs, saving you from the hassles of struggling with a sick computer. To reclaim your dream machine you first bought, download a free PC Fix

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Computers Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Computers
Sign Up for a free account or learn more.
Join Helium Now. Earn Cash When You Post. Try It!






Submit Articles
Member Login
Top Authors
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds



About Us
Site Blog
Forum
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service



Articles 4 Me And U.com
Credit Mend.net
K.A.G.E.D. Band Website
Article Pyramid.com



Join Associated Content






Particles Articles © 2007 All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Powered by Article Dashboard