I need a laptop with Windows XP and Office 2003 --don't laugh
Aug 30, 2014, 10:22 am
#46
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Look closely at the desktop monitor screen - I was on one of client's location earlier this month, re-loading Windows ME (seriously, for good laugh - really, for real) as their office is setup to use a # of dedicated & older Dell GX2xx desktops to run ME/2000 only due to discontinued/outdated accounting software and its synergy with dot-matrix printers for (non-laser) check printing. With 2 port KVM switch, employees are otherwise using PC running Win7 on newer/current Apps connecting via ethernet ports, sharing printers & other resources, etc. Those standalone ME machines are not connected at all with minimal risks and it gets their "job" for their customers done. (VirtualBox worked but was ruled out for a # of reasons.) Yes, they are SLOW and do occassionally freeze up when "pushed" to run their App - 99.5% functional, otherwise and not a big deal.
The challenges facing you & your PC person are to check ahead & make sure that the newer laptop is backward compatible with the device drivers & apps to run on XP (and whichever version of MS Office.) The biggest risks for the standalone & non-networked machine are from infected USB thumb drives (layers of defenses in place)
It can be done ! Not laughing as I'm with you - surely, you are aware of the risks & limitations, etc. and your loved one is well informed. Go for it - check out the Dell Direct Sales USA site for off-leased laptops.
Aug 30, 2014, 12:04 pm
#47
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To use XP, you will have to use old software, including old browsers. Old browsers don't render modern web pages properly. Old security software is useless against modern viruses, Trojans, and adware.
Operating an XP machine that gets online, even for only a few minutes a day, is the computational equivalent of driving a car with no rearview mirrors and no seatbelts on an interstate highway.
Operating an XP machine that gets online, even for only a few minutes a day, is the computational equivalent of driving a car with no rearview mirrors and no seatbelts on an interstate highway.
BTW - a tiny reg hack and XP continues to receive updates from MS...
Aug 30, 2014, 9:42 pm
#48
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Reads like MS FUD. Exactly what stops you from using the latest version of Firefox or Opera? Running a firewall either on the computer or at the router? Running modern AV? Just because MS stopped support, it doesnät mean you'll die overnight if you continue using XP
BTW - a tiny reg hack and XP continues to receive updates from MS...
BTW - a tiny reg hack and XP continues to receive updates from MS...
Do the most recent versions of those browsers support XP? DO they operate on it and do all of their functions operate on it?
Do the most recent versions of all of the various plug-ins you need for those browsers support XP?
Do modern AV apps support XP? And sure, I run a firewall on my router, but that's not 100% effective as long as there is allowed network traffic, so you absolutely have to have software firewalls and AV software at the client level, and they have to be capable of stopping the current threats, which means they have to be continuously updated.
And how is it that a registry hack will enable you to keep receiving something that MS no longer creates and sends out? When they stopped support for XP, it meant they no longer create security or other critical updates for the OS, so what is this magic reg hack of which you speak?
Aug 30, 2014, 10:38 pm
#49
Join Date: Jun 2014
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There's a lot of interesting stuff for me to reflect on and reply to in this thread, but let me just interject here that this IS the situation: Loved One needs to be able to work in Word and Excel 2003 and with XP away from the home office at times --- sometimes in another part of the house, sometimes at a customer's house. He does not need to get on the internet while he's doing that or email files. He can wait til he gets back to a safe computer to do that. He just needs to be able to work on Word and Excel files, alone or with a customer, in the version he's comfortable with (2003 or using something like Ubit that will emulate 2003).
Just in case, convert the Win7 appearance to Classic shell and it will be very similar (at least at first look) tomWin XP ^
Aug 30, 2014, 10:39 pm
#50
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And how is it that a registry hack will enable you to keep receiving something that MS no longer creates and sends out? When they stopped support for XP, it meant they no longer create security or other critical updates for the OS, so what is this magic reg hack of which you speak?
http://www.pcworld.com/article/23103...s-rolling.html
Essentially, you can fool Microsoft into thinking your machine is an ATM, which they still are supporting. And, um, since it's ATMs we're talking about, we're all assuming that Microsoft is still creating security and other critical updates for the OS. <shrugs>
Still, I agree, XP has no future. One thing not otherwise mentioned: New printers will likely not include drivers for XP, so if you happen to get a new printer for your old XP machine, that's a whole 'nother set of issues.
Aug 31, 2014, 8:10 am
#52
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Again - here yes. It's the AV engine that counts, not the pretty UI, but you know that.
And how is it that a registry hack will enable you to keep receiving something that MS no longer creates and sends out? When they stopped support for XP, it meant they no longer create security or other critical updates for the OS, so what is this magic reg hack of which you speak?
Aug 31, 2014, 10:41 am
#53
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Aug 31, 2014, 11:42 am
#54
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Sep 1, 2014, 7:20 am
#55
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I used windows all my life... as far back as windows 3.1.... yes I am an old stubborn old geezer
could not stand win 8 after 6 months... went back to old pc with win xp... but wanted a faster machine.
until I bought a new MacBook earlier this year. All I could say was WOW!!!
it was so easy to use and i didn't even need Microsoft Office no more.
my last apple computer was the apple II from 1980s. So glad to be free from windows 8.
i also have a chromebook laptop which is also very easy to use.
just saying there are other options besides windows 8.
could not stand win 8 after 6 months... went back to old pc with win xp... but wanted a faster machine.
until I bought a new MacBook earlier this year. All I could say was WOW!!!
it was so easy to use and i didn't even need Microsoft Office no more.
my last apple computer was the apple II from 1980s. So glad to be free from windows 8.
i also have a chromebook laptop which is also very easy to use.
just saying there are other options besides windows 8.
Sep 1, 2014, 9:07 am
#57
Join Date: Jul 2014
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however, I bit the bullet and switched to Macs after Microsoft creates the idiotic windows 8.
now everyday I fire up my macbook, it brings a big smile to my face. It is once again a joy to use a computer again. (No, I'm not paid by Apple. ... in fact, I absolutely hate Apple's other product, the iPhone)
Sep 1, 2014, 10:01 am
#58
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The price tag of Apple computer had actually came down quite a bit. Looking at the same hardware, buying a PC or Windows laptop is only about 20% cheaper. The problem with Apple, for me, are the software and game support. I have a macbook but I am booting it to windows so I could run some of the programs.
Sep 1, 2014, 10:18 am
#59
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The price tag of Apple computer had actually came down quite a bit. Looking at the same hardware, buying a PC or Windows laptop is only about 20% cheaper. The problem with Apple, for me, are the software and game support. I have a macbook but I am booting it to windows so I could run some of the programs.
Of course, there might be special software that will only run Windows.
Sep 1, 2014, 10:27 am
#60
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Getting a Mac is the best of both worlds. I converted to Mac OS several months ago. I installed Windows on it as well, thinking I would need to use it for something. During the last 6 months, I have not booted into Windows even once. Of course, there might be special software that will only run Windows.
Of course, there might be special software that will only run Windows.