Operating Systems

What Windows operating system should I use?

As a Microsoft OEM registered builder, we have more info available for you to properly decide which is the best system & OS.  If it wasn't hard enough to decide before, Microsoft has now released another new operating system called XP-64.  To quickly discuss it, XP-64 works best on the new computer architecture, which is now 64 bit. What that means, as the motherboards & cpu's get better, it's like having more lanes of traffic open on the expressways.  AMD was the first to bring the 64 bit cpu out, and the motherboard makers soon followed.  Therefore, AMD-64 systems have been around longer & have worked out more bugs than Intel.  Microsoft just recently released the 64 bit operating system, so as with Microsoft's history, give it a while before it's running half decently.  Just remember; put the right system on the right hardware.  Older operating systems still can be found for the older computers.  If you can't find it locally, email us & we can try.  As always, make sure you have the COA (Microsoft's Certificate of Authenticity.)   Caviat Emptor (Buyer Beware).

Minimum & Recommended Ram Requirements:  The best way to know if you have enough ram is to look here & see the recommended amount of ram, then pick the box or manual of the biggest software you have; look up it's ram requirements & add them together.

Microsoft Notice: They do not support older operating systems like Windows ME, 98SE, 98FE, & 95.  Bring your computer to us as we still support them & have updates.

Is Windows the only operating system?

You may be surprised, but Windows is not the only operating system out there.  The one that is on the way to give Microsoft a run for their money, is the Linux system or one of it's many versions such as Lindows.  It runs on a small percentage of the hard drive space taken to run the Windows platform, and is still being developed by businesses & private individuals.   It is the prized hopeful for the home market.  Outside of that there are many systems used to run servers etc. like Novell, Unix etc.

Why won't my Windows that came with my new computer, load up on my other computer?

Microsoft, with the major computer manufacturers, has developed their Operating System to only load on the original computer that the software was purchased with.  This is their answer to the many businesses and private persons who continue to sell computers with pirated Microsoft's software.   Every time you buy a new computer, you must get the original license and cd or floppy that has the program that you purchased.  Now with XP Home, Pro, & 64, you won't be able to load it on another system without calling Microsoft & explain to them why you have it on more then one computer.  Remember, every licence is married to each computer.

Warning!!!!!!

All new computers bought from a legal OEM company, now has to put the licensing label on the computer which now marries that operating system to that computer.  To make sure that the system isn't copied unto another computer, the software calls a Microsoft server somewhere & records everything inside the computer.  When you go to use it on another computer, you'll be notified that it is already registered & will not be activated.  Therefore, if you give away or sell  your computer, you must give the Operating software with it if is a Microsoft OS, like Windows anything.

Windows 98SE & Windows ME

Microsoft has admitted that users who installed the security patch for Windows 98 and ME in January are suffering from slower machines or frozen screens as a result. The MS05-002 patch was issued by Microsoft for the Windows 98, Windows 98 SE and Windows ME operating systems as part of its monthly patching cycle.

The problem relates to the way the Internet Explorer browser works with the operating system. Removing the patch returns the machine to normal performance but leaves users open to security vulnerabilities, although Microsoft said it had not yet received any reports of exploits of these vulnerabilities.

News source: ComputerWeekly

Windows XP problems

My biggest complaint as a builder/ repairer, is the fact that every time you have to redo your computer's hard drive because of viruses, adware etc., you have to re-activate your Windows XP & higher to use it again.  Because we are always testing other equipment, programs etc., we need to redo our hard drive on a regular basis for peak performance & you have to call in every time after the first two times to get this ridiculously long number to activate it after you have a discussion with the operator on why it is being activated again.  I know that it is due to the Piracy aspect, but it is a pain for our customers who are heavy users who want peak performance & yet, have to do this so often.

The next complaint, is the fact that there are so many loop holes in the security area, that even a software firewall which has helped our many customers, may now be insufficient.  We had our first case in ten years, where a customer left his computer to download some music for a couple of hours, and came back with most of his hard drive deleted.  Even if the software is better over all, it comes at quite the price.  If you're on the internet a lot, then buy a router for your  high speed modem & protect your personal information.

Latest problem with scanner software not working, especially after installing another camera or scanner software is answered by the following:

I SPENT QUITE SOME TIME DEALING WITH THE SAME ERROR. THE SOLUTION IS SO SIMPLE ...

RIGHT-CLICK ON HP DIRECTOR ICON.
CLICK ON PROPERTIES.
CLICK ON THE COMPATIBILITY TAB.
CHECK THE BOX NEXT TO "RUN THIS PROGRAM IN COMPATIBILITY MODE FOR:"
SELECT "WINDOWS 98 / WINDOWS ME" FROM THE DROP-DOWN BOX.
CLICK APPLY.
CLICK OK.

. STOP 0x00000074 BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO" Error Message When You Start Your Computer

1Have you ever gotten this error while trying to install or boot your WindowsXP PC? We've received many tech support calls regarding this error message. This error is caused by having memory module(s) that are either damaged or not placed into the computer correctly. If you ever come across this error message during a system install or startup, power off the computer and verify that the RAM modules are installed correctly. If the module(s) are installed correctly, it could be that you have a bad memory module. Of course, to verify this, simply use QuickTech Professional or RAM Stress Test Professional 2(R.S.T. Pro2). The following has been taken from Microsoft's knowledgebase regarding this error message.

SYMPTOMS

When you start your Windows XP-based computer, you may receive a STOP error message on a blue screen that is similar to the following error message:

STOP 0x00000074 (0x00000003, 0x00000002, 0x80087000) BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO

When you try to start your computer from the Windows XP CD-ROM, you may receive the following error message:

The following file is corrupted: toside.sys 

To troubleshoot and resolve this issue, remove the memory modules that are installed in your computer, but leave enough RAM to start your computer and run Windows, and then restart your computer.

For information about how to add and remove RAM to the computer, contact us, or view the documentation that is included with your computer.