XP SP 3 or Vista (or MBP?)

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Saffa

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I've been having performance issues with my 3 mionth old, work issued HP Compaq 6510b. (2gb Ram, Dual 2.4 Ghz Intel Core Duo). I run Windows XP (SP2) and quite a few analytical programs - mostly SAS, Cognos and some big financial models in Excel.

My machine is very slow and crashes quite a bit (blue screen of death). So my question is: Is it worth it upgrading to Vista (laptop is Vista compliant) or XP SP 3.

Or should I cut my losses and go for the MacBook Pro that I've seen kick a$$?

PS: I need the mobility, so Server or super PC is out of the question...
 
Why don't you try reload xp first, I am not sure if your all those programs you use will work on vista you would need to check that out for mac as well.

Do yourself a favour though, do not load windows via the image they gave you, get either an xp home or pro disk and load it that way so you don't get all the junk they install with laptops these days.
 
Ja, I agree, sounds like you need to reload XP, then upgrade to SP3.

If it is crashing you need to solve that problem first.

I would stick with XP. Stay away from Vista. Wait for Win 7.

I have all the stuff you need, updates, etc.

Let me know if you need help.
 
I agree with killa, dont use the disk they provide as its full of crap.
The first thing I do when I get a new laptop is format it and reinstall the windows with a standard copy.
Your bluescreens are most likely being caused by drivers or such. Upgrading to SP3 will most likely fix nothing. I would recommend staying away from Vista if you need your software to run.
 
Fubar how exactly do you propose he will get those applications of his working? i'm assuming you read and saw what applications he needs and i'm assuming your suggestion for ubuntu is based on the fact that you have checked all those applications can run on ubuntu? if not your comment is worthless :p
 
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From what I have read, Excel on the Mac platform really struggles to cope with huge spreadsheets, unlike Excel on Windows which handles it even though it may be slow. A number of people have commented on that.

Take out the current ram and use 2x2GB sticks, so that you have 4GB. Use Vista x64, and you get a benefit of that extra memory. However, you also need to find out if all of those programs work alright under Vista.

XP SP3 is not going to be a magical bullet, I certainally haven't seen any of those so called speed increases some web sites were so loud mouthed about.
 
OT: I have also not noticed any speed increases with Windows XP SP3 however I did notice exceptional speed increases with Vista SP1.

OP: I would avoid MAC if you require CPU horsepower - MAC's are cool, but I agree that they do struggle with large excel spreadsheets.
 
1. uninstall all hp connected software.
2. pls dont install norton anti, pls try sth else
3. do u know how to use msconfig? start-run-then type in "msconfig" -then enter,then tick off all "c:\Program Files\..." keep all those c:windows\system32\ if u dont know too much about computer.yes, btw, only one program under c:program files folder u must keep the tick, it will be yr anti virus, if avg it will be c:\Program Files\avg.exe or avgmonitor.exe, u wont make mistake, do it, then the system will require restart,after that tick the message box show in the sceen, say dont show the message again.
4. blue sceen normally can be fixed by sp3, if not try reinstall. after reinstall pls set up the system restore point-it is in accessories-system tools -system restore
5. if u want a better back up of the whole system, there is a software called acronis image, this is one time for ever- much better than ghost software, it can back up ur whole hdd and anytime u can edit your back up throuth the password. Then anytime u hv problem press F11, the system will roll back to the day u set the system back up.
 
logic325 said:
1. uninstall all hp connected software.
2. pls dont install norton anti, pls try sth else
Click to expand...


+1 Preloaded crap by vendors usually break the machine. I have learned to format all new laptops I get and reload with a slipstreamed SP3 XP or slipstreamed Vista SP1

Vista SP1 is offcourse my first choice.

JM2CW
 
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