Best operating system

**GLock** · 06-08-2003, 04:27 PM

Hi all.
Ive recently upgraded my computer to an amd xp 2200.I am currently using windows 98se.My question is,should i go to windows xp pro? My computer is only for flight sim,nascar racing,etc.Will some one tell me if one is better than the other for graghical sims?Thank u for your time
G-LOCK

**shwncplnd** · 06-08-2003, 04:31 PM

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-08-03 AT 04:33PM (EDT)[/font][p]If your computer is JUST for gaming, I'd stick with 98. No need in dumping money into another operation system. You do have to remember that the support for 98 is on its way out the door though. As long as your vid card is decent, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Shawn

**GLock** · 06-08-2003, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the info.I should have stated that i want to be ready for mfs2004.Dont know if it will matter for performance or not.I have the ti4600 video card.Figured if xp pro is better for simming.Ide get it before 2004 comes out.Thank u
G-LOCK

**taxydual** · 06-08-2003, 04:43 PM

Go for XP Pro. You will not regret it. The stability is out of this world.
Trev

**shwncplnd** · 06-08-2003, 04:45 PM

With Windows XP, I can have multiple apps going at the same time without worrying about overloading the OS. With 98, I kept them to a minimum. XP is waaaay more stable than 98, so there should be less freeze-ups on you. If you do get XP, you definitely won't have to worry about support issues for the next couple of years anyway, and you'll be up-to-speed with any tutorials that involve OS tweeking.

Shawn

**ront** · 06-08-2003, 05:25 PM

Going by what you say that you use your PC for, I would recommend XP Home. It will be all that you need. I debated as to whether to get XP Home or Pro when I put my pc together and decided on Home. I have been happy with this choise and I have really enjoyed XP. It is the most stable OS I have had. I really like it.

Ron

Windows XP Home Edition, SP1
Asus P4PE/L
P4 2.66G
512MB PC 2700 DDR
ATI Radeon 9700PRO
Sound Blaster Audigy
400 Watt PS
Antec SX1040BII case

**cascadesss** · 06-08-2003, 06:06 PM

Win98 is a dying operating system. MS will no longer be supporting it in a month or so.

Install XP and you will be able to run multiple apps much better.

Here's the programs I have open while running FS2002 with XP:

FS2002
FSNAV
Roger Wilco
SquawkBox
Servinfo
Airport Directory on the Internet
3 Monitors

Rick - KPDX - Private Pilot
P4 @ 3.4GHz 1GB-1066MHz RDRam
Water-Cooled & 3 Monitors

**W2DR** · 06-08-2003, 06:22 PM

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jun-08-03 AT 06:26PM (EDT)[/font][p] Actually, Win98SE is still a very good system for gaming. But the problem I see coming is that, as far as FS2002/2004 goes, more and more add-on developers are no longer supporting Win98. The current games will run just as well, or better, on Win98 than they will on WinXP but the day of reckoning is coming for all the add-ons. And I suspect that the mainline game developers will also start to move away from Win98 sometime in the next year or so. If I were doing it, I'd go with WinXP Home. No need for the networking or SMP capabilities of XP Pro if the machine is only for gaming. The core of the Pro and Home versions are identical and their are no performance differences (and Home is cheaper).

Doug

Edited for PS:

If you decide to go with either version of XP do not, do not, do not, upgrade the existing installation. Format the HDD and do a clean install. If you have the Win98 disc, you can still buy the upgrade version, just choose the full install option when asked.

**Wichita** · 06-08-2003, 07:47 PM

I put XP Home on this computer that I built back in Sept,works great,no problems.

Note: Don't pay $100.00 for it at a comp store. Get on Ebay and check to see who's selling. Many people end up with two copies if they bought XP when it came out and then might have got another when they bought a new comp. Or,they might have gone with XP Pro after using XP Home for awhile.

I got my copy last summer for $58.00 with shipping. I'd take a look on Ebay before I plunked down $100.00 for XP.

David

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...d01877892a.jpg

**sclincoln** · 06-08-2003, 07:56 PM

You didn't state how much RAM you have. Win XP is better at managing memory but it comes with a lot of overhead. If you're running with a marginal amount of RAM, you might want to stick with 98 anyway. Just remember to reboot before every flight. And on long flights, performance will begin to degrade after a while.