Is it possible to buy a new Windows XP machine?

Discussion in 'Windows XP Hardware' started by LEBurns, Mar 22, 2017.

  1. LEBurns

    LEBurns

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    I have a lot of files and programs for Windows XP SP3 and my machine is getting old.
    I understand that there can be security and repair problems with XP and an old machine and XP.
    I haven't found an easy way to change my old text files in Lotus Word Pro to Word or PDF (I know I can resave them individually in word or scan print-outs) so I would like a new reliable machine to run XP and use a new machine with a current OS for the Net.
    1. Is it possible to buy a new computer that will run XP? (I have XP and my XP programs on disc)
    2. How well does XP work on a virtual machine on an Apple? I understand it's very slow. Any experience or advice on specs to get it up to speed?
    3. There is an article in Forbes about using the updates of the business version of XP on a home machine until they discontinue those.. Anyone tried that?
     
    LEBurns, Mar 22, 2017
    #1
  2. LEBurns

    priscus

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    priscus, Mar 22, 2017
    #2
  3. LEBurns

    cornemuse

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    You could build one, , , ,
    What I'm using right now is, , ,

    new stuff:

    $33.00 mobo ± (<-alt+0177!)
    $30.00 cpu ±
    $20.00 4 gig ram ddr3 ±
    $40.00 WD 500 gig hdd ±

    old:

    case & psu
    cd/dvd rom
    KVM (keyboard monitor (Video) mouse)


    mobo Gigabyte AM1M S2H from Newegg (<- has XP drivers)
    CPU AMD Athlon Frys
    ram (2 4 gig sticks $40.00- XP32 uses only 4 gig = $20.00)
    hdd Frys on sale
    I never (I'm a hoarder!) toss (still good) old cases or psu's
    ditto good cdrom's
    " " keyboards-monitors-(Logitech Track-ball's)
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    (FWIW) Another thing I came up with:

    I typed various & sundry 'ascii' characters down the page with actual keystrokes following, 'format-font-size' = large, 'Print Scrn' -> opened PaintdotNet, & paste, cut crop select move etc etc, saved as alt codez.png. Save it anywhere you can remember! Make shortcut (rename-remove that .doc part!) & move it to Start Menu.

    codez.jpg

    Click on it & wallah!!

    (I'm doing this on-the-fly right now!)
    alt codez.png

    Opens with pic&fax viewer

    I use about ¼ (<-alt+0188 hah!!) of 'em regularly, , , ,

    -c-
     
    cornemuse, Mar 22, 2017
    #3
  4. LEBurns

    priscus

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    Yes, I would agree with cornermuse, build is an option which I would prefer.

    Just check (Google) that manufacturer of motherboard that you intend to use offers chipset drivers for XP.

    If you don't fancy building one yourself, get a dealer to build one to your spec. (In UK, they only charge about £25 to assemble a machine, and they can probably source the components for less than you will be able to.)

    Your last point, I think is a reference to embedded XP. This is on what M/S call extended support, which means security patches only, until 2019 (Same as W7) And, yes you can edit the registry so than XP pro will receive these.

    I think elsewhere on site the details can be found, but you can always summons them by Google search..
     
    priscus, Mar 22, 2017
    #4
  5. LEBurns

    priscus

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    Elizabeth has just published link for this ^^^^^^ registry edit on the
    'possible xp browsers for 2017' thread.
     
    priscus, Mar 24, 2017
    #5
  6. LEBurns

    cornemuse

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    cornemuse, Mar 25, 2017
    #6
    eatup likes this.
  7. LEBurns

    eatup

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    Me wants. If I had $100, I'd probably assemble this kind of spare XP PC...
     
    eatup, Mar 29, 2017
    #7
  8. LEBurns

    priscus

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    If you are prepared to shop for second hand stuff off Fleabay, you can put together a Pentium4 Machine for peanuts. Not state of the art, but fine for XP, with which it is likely to be contemporary.
     
    priscus, Mar 30, 2017
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  9. LEBurns

    eatup

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    Only problem I have with an AMD CPU like the Sempron 145 is the 45W TDP for a single core, which will be much higher with the 2nd core unlocked.

    I've purchased a used Intel G1620T with 35W TDP total for both cores just last year...
     
    eatup, Mar 30, 2017
    #9
  10. LEBurns

    towgers

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    I used to assemble NEW PC's and ship them all with XP from 2008-2013 because Xp was the most versatile OS. I stopped my Ebay store though but might eventually get back to it. If anyone would be interested I would probably still make 100% new PC's with XP installed.
     
    towgers, Apr 5, 2017
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  11. LEBurns

    cornemuse

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    Second hand stuff is cheaper, but one can buy new cpu's etc etc. I use mainly used cases & psu's.
     
    cornemuse, Apr 5, 2017
    #11
  12. LEBurns

    priscus

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    Just noticed whilst poking around elsewhere, the vendor I mentioned in #2, still offers DOS machines new.
     
    priscus, Apr 8, 2017
    #12
  13. LEBurns

    Mike_Walsh

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    Have to agree with priscus. A P4-based system is easy to put together with second-hand components off eBay, and will cost very little in real terms.

    Example:- My old Dell lappie got an upgrade from a 2.2 GHz 'Celly' to a 2.6 GHz P4 around 18 months ago. Cost on eBay? Around GBP £7.00 (approx USD $11-12). And this is a component which, when new, 15 yrs ago, cost in the region of $450-500.

    Makes you think. The only things I recommend buying new are the RAM & PSU. Everything else, second-hand is fine.

    (If you're feeling mad enough, find yrself a Socket-775 mobo with a chipset that supports the 800 MHz FSB, and you've got the option of going all the way up to the 3.73 GHz 'Extreme Edition' Prescotts, with 64-bit, SSE3's and H/T. But if you 'can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen..!')

    The buggers do run hot. 115W TDP.....


    Mike. ;)
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2017
    Mike_Walsh, Apr 8, 2017
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  14. LEBurns

    towgers

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    My suggestion would be to use hardware made BEFORE 2010. Windows XP, from experience, lacks drivers for MANY devices made after 2010. Biggest are Wifi, Display and Sound drivers. What I noticed is this is a common problem with Samsung, Acer and Toshiba hardware manufactures.
     
    towgers, Apr 9, 2017
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  15. LEBurns

    Mike_Walsh

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    ^^^ + 1 !!

    That, I'll second. Toshiba, in particular, are one of the most awkward manufacturers bar none. And Samsung are well-known for 'locking' everything down tight, so the changes the user can make are minimal at best. They like M$ to be the 'official' supplier for everything.....

    And as for Acer....pffft! Wouldn't touch them with a barge-pole.

    Really, the best-supported hardware for XP is contemporary stuff, from XP's early 'hey-day'. And there's still drivers & all sorts out there for 12-14 yr-old gear; it's just a case of tracking 'em down.....


    Mike. ;)
     
    Mike_Walsh, Apr 9, 2017
    #15
  16. LEBurns

    cornemuse

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    What it is, , , ,

    -c-
     
    cornemuse, Apr 10, 2017
    #16
  17. LEBurns

    priscus

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    Those brands, I have never considered attractive to builders.

    Asus
    Abit (no longer with us)
    Asrock
    Gigabyte
    Supermicro

    and the like, ie specialist motherboard designer/builders, I think usually are the more attractive offers.

    To anyone considering a build for the first time, sometimes chip set manufacturer such as Nvidia has the drivers, but do search online and get the reviews and comment on mobo you may be considering using.
     
    priscus, Apr 10, 2017
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  18. LEBurns

    xbliss

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    Try a Thinkpad T series from T6x-T41x/51x - Check for their driver support online and you'll be pleasently surprised that Business machines such as this had longer support than most.
     
    xbliss, Apr 24, 2017
    #18
  19. LEBurns

    priscus

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    Yes, I like Thinkpads, but I am not a gamer, and it may suit less those who are.

    (I do not have any experience of XP on them though)

    On T420, I have Windows 10 on a 250GB mSATA SSD on the WWAN connector, leaving the main SSD free for Linux, without sacrificing optical drive. Very pleased with that arrangement.

    Recently had a BIOS update. It was offered by Lenovo Updates. All I had to do was enter Yes. It does not get much more user friendly than that, does it.
     
    priscus, Apr 25, 2017
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    xbliss likes this.
  20. LEBurns

    xbliss

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    What I meant to add was, these machines are likely to get LONGER support for Older OS drivers - Even when Win 7 came out, they had Win XP Downgrade rights and as a consequence driver support - why because Corporates/ Business buy them and need support for older OSes (to some extent)

    The same logic may apply to certain Desktops, but I've seen extensive Old OS/ Driver support on Thinkpads and especially with great community on TP forums.
     
    xbliss, Apr 25, 2017
    #20
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