My story; would appreciate accurate info.

[TheGoldenDays]

Hey y'all.
So, over the years since Windows XP, I've been upgrading to the new OS as they come just like the rest of the known world, although there's always been this nagging bug in the back of my mind at the outset of innumerable issues that says "god, i sure miss XP".

At this point I'm completely fed up. Irate. Enraged.
I'd like to know if and where I can get Windows XP Pro, free or paid, doesn't really matter. I also need to know if my current somewhat newer hardware supports it and if I can even delete 8.1 in favor of it.

Please. I want. Windows. XP. Back.

Here are some links from the Toshiba website of the machine I'm currently using and a second link from same website about the detailed technical specifications of said machine.

http://support.toshiba.com/supportmodel/PSKULU-03200S

http://support.toshiba.com/support/staticContentDetail?contentId=4006532&isFromTOCLink=false

Thank you very much to anyone for your help.

 

[FranceBB]

Just create a partition and try to install xp on it and to install drivers as well from the site (even if I don't know if it will work or not).

As to an XP ISO, just google around and download an updated version (like the home made SP4) or try on kickass torrent.
If you still have your former keygen, you can still legally activate it, I think.

 

[eatup]

Don't bother. Most laptops that came with Windows 8.1 pre-installed don't have drivers for XP.

What is the problem that you're having with Windows 8.1? Most ppl who stuck with XP only do so for the raw power and are uber geeks (ie. programmers and hackers). There's not really a good reason why the average user would resort to driving a supercar (XP) on city streets...

 

[Aunty Jack]

Hello TheGoldenDays,

Yes, I am in the same position with a new Lenovo H30.00 desktop. Windows 8.1 pre-installed and the Win 8.1 setup in a hidden partition. Same with the other desktop in our home, an Asrock build with Windows 7. The gripe we have is that such machines, Toshiba, Lenovo, perhaps any machine with UEFO bios and manufactured in the last two years or so is that it is near impossible to wipe the current OS (Win 7, Win 8.1) and install XP. The only way possible would be to buy a new hard disk and swap hard disks over and then do a fresh install of XP. A lot of work and driver support for your new Toshiba for XP may not be there with XP or the machine manufacturer.

After facing the same issues and realising that there is no practical way to "retro-install XP" I decided to educate myself with regard to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.
Windows 7, fairly intuitive and knowledge and skills with XP flow naturally to Win 7.

Windows 8.1. After gathering knowledge from many forums and digging into my somewhat aged memory process I have Windows 8.1 running as close to XP as practical. Win XP experience "ports over" to Win 8.1 really.

Win 8.1 is where many may disagree with me. Win 8.1 is not so bad after all. I prefer Win 8.1 over Win 7.

Changes can be made to Win 8.1 :-

No tiles.

Starts to desktop.

Services, startup programs, virtual memory, desktop, "performance or eye candy" can be changed at will.

A few old programs that ran under XP don't like Win 8.1. Mainly very old games from the 16 bit era which is understandable.

On a Laptop like yours which seems to be rather "high end" XP (sorry old friend) may not give of it's best.

Should you decide to "jump into the deep end" and stay with Win 8.1 I will be very happy to send screen shots of the changes that can be made to Win 8.1 along with my poor attempt at a "tutorial".

When a lot of the not needed apps, features and such are stripped away from Win 8.1 and some changes and tweaks made, after a while the difference in perception or usability between XP and Win 8.1 becomes blurred. At times you will think your are running XP but alongside that perception is the fact that you are running Win 8.1, a not so bad Operating System.

My personal view, stay away from Windows 10.

Anyway, if you wish to "jump into the Win 8.1 pool" I, and I am sure, we on the Forum are happy to help.

Cheers,

Mark. (Aunty Jack).

 

[eatup]

TheGoldenDays, have you thought about upgrading to Windows 10? It's FREE if you upgrade before July 2016. Some ppl might have problems (minor glitches only) with it, but everyone has different hardwares. Plus, it's currently installed on 100 million devices thanks to MSFT's generous free upgrade offer.

I'm hearing lots of ppl are loving Windows 10 over Windows 8.1. If you decide to give it a try, head over to TenForums.com to get started...

 

[TheGoldenDays]

Help Offer Accepted!!

Hey Aunty Jack and all. Thanks so much for the detailed, informative post. I appreciated the other posts as well, although they suggested fixes which I believed it was apparent I would have tried myself, or had obvious limitations to doing such before searching on forums.
I'm not just dying to have an older operating system lol, and I sure don't want to mess with any current failsafes trying to delete what I have.

Anyways, yep, you guessed it. Unfortunately I don't agree with the "high end" comment lol, but I'd very much like to do exactly as you said, and strip away that which is unneeded. Flashy menus, undeletable bs, etc, you know more than I. Some of which was interfaced in XP, being the main reason I thought of it.

It's late, losing focus, let me quote you to wrap it up.

Quote:
"When a lot of the not needed apps, features and such are stripped away from Win 8.1 and some changes and tweaks made, after a while the difference in perception or usability between XP and Win 8.1 becomes blurred. At times you will think your are running XP but alongside that perception is the fact that you are running Win 8.1, a not so bad Operating System."

Nuff said
Your help would be most appreciated.
Thanks.

One more thing.
I like to advocate things I like and I probably sound dumb and I hope no one hates me as this is unsolicited but I swear I don't work for anyone and it's not an ad.
whew! disclaimers lol. Anyways, I'm completely addicted to World of Tanks on Xbox One, free game, y'all should check it out if you have one

Annnd I was just waiting for spellcheck to kick-in like on my phone lol
Yeah, it's late. ttyl

 

[Aunty Jack]

Hello The GoldenDays,

I did post screenshots of my Win 8.1 set up a few weeks ago. You can find these in the Off Topic part of this site under the title "Hand Built PC's". These are probably a good starting point.

Just looking at an image of a particular "tweak" is not enough I think. An explanation of what has been done and why is needed.

I will go through these screenshots and put the explanations/illustrations together and write, well, it won't be a magnum opus but I hope it will lay out what can be done with Win 8.1.

Some of the tips and tricks are not my work and I will claim any credit for them.

I will send these things to you by private message so as not to clutter up the Off Topic part of the forum.

I would say I should be able to put it all together in about two days, perhaps three. I will send each completed part rather than save the lot and then send.

Happy to help and this reminds me of writing manuals and drafting legislation as I did years ago.

Happy to help.

Cheers,

Mark. (Aunty Jack).

 

[Aunty Jack]

I meant to say, "I will not claim any credit for them".

Mark.

 

[Aunty Jack]

For TheGoldenDays 1

 

[Aunty Jack]

For TheGoldenDays 2

 

[Aunty Jack]

For TheGoldenDays 3

 

[GX270]

Microsoft Updates web address redirects cant always get the "up date" site for xp

Hello my good friends!

I am running XP SP3 all updates current, today Oct 6, 2015 I clicked on "windows up date", and here comes on some kind of screen that is from Microsoft that is about "internet services". and has nothing to do with the correct up date screen.

I have four computers, all Dell GX 270s, all XP SP3. Sometimes I can get the correct screen for windows up date if I reset clock to internet time, but this does not always do the trick. I tried Firefox and Chrome, deleting the history, made sure no virus was on the computers, no malware etc but no change in results

I am running AVG antivirus.

Sometimes the correct "up date screen" comes on some times its the "Internet services screen." There doesn’t seem to be any way to make the proper “up date screen” come on every time.

I do notice that after re booting or first boot in the day, if you click on the "windows Update" icon and do it right away after all the things load on the computer, then i seem to get more constant lock up with the proper windows update web site, but if you leave the computer on for a while and if I try to go to the windows up date site then it will redirect to the window internet services site. Again I have four computers here all are doing the same thing.

I when I click on “Microsoft updates”, the computer will go to any of one of these sites:

http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us

This is the correct Microsoft web site that should appear for updates, but at random it will redirect to one of the below sites:

This is the “internet services screen that comes up some times when I click on "windows Update" http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Or the screen below ( web address) comes up some times which says the web site isn’t available, or there is something wrong with it so it cant be viewed:

http://www.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/thanks.aspx?ln=en&&thankspa[/

I am fully aware support ended in 2014, but I have never had any problems connecting to the updates web site until recently. I am concerned because any re installs of XP that I do may not work if a person cant get to the proper update site to install all the back updates.

Any help would be appreciated.
GX 270 in Minnesota

 

[GX270]

Sorry I have re posted this in a new thread this was not meant to be posted here !
GX 270

 

[Aunty Jack]

For The GoldenYears

I think I missed this one.

 

[TheGoldenDays]

Attn: [Auntie Jack] Too proud? (irony)

Pre1st: Sorry to post here, noticed -15 pm restriction after having written post.

Title is a joke first of all; clear that up first thing so as not to trigger ruffle-feather syndrome. I personally thought it was hilarious how you said you'd take credit for everyone's work, and was actually pretty cool in that context, as if you were making a stand your ground individualism type of rebuttal to my own nonsense about disclaimers.

Second, I had just now noticed my previous post was like 10 or so days ago! I was a little worried I had been forgotten, as I'm not aware of what timeline y'all live on, and I've statistically evidenced that the majority, move quickly. Overwhelmingly and quite laughably so, in fact. I, for one, am more of a tortoise.

Last, and very certainly not least, is a great and genuine thanks for, first of all, your notice. And later, all of your individual help and understanding. To be honest, I haven't even taken a close inspection of the information given (embarrassed) lol; but I have no doubt it will be concise, given the author.
I also appreciate your calm demeanor, obvious intelligence, and refreshing professionalism, as it is not experienced often, and pity the world as we know it for the loss of these qualities.
Have a great day, and take warm comfort, in the fact that no one else sees it the world, in quite the same way.

 

[Aunty Jack]

Hello TGD (TheGoldenDays),

I do not know about posts being "held" and taking an inordinate amount of time to appear. My experience is that posts are as instant as the speed of light (as applied to an electrical signal).

Than you for your compliment, very much appreciated.

Please check your private messages inbox if you have not already done so. There will about six messages in there of varying length.

In all I think there is sufficient material on Win 8.1 to sift through and while away many hours.

Should I think of anything of use as I exercise the mental synapses I will post or send as a private message.

So, we now work with perceptions as we both know the world is not real. Interesting to deal with the first set of perceptions being the world as it presents to us and the second set of perceptions in our experience with XP and Win 8.1.

The world and all that we know are merely inputs to be decoded. (hmmm, overtones of The Matrix. Thank heavens it is not Soylent Green).

Cheers,

Mark. (Aunty Jack).