Operating system comparisons - Part One: Windows XP

[monahan]

I thought I'd take some time to make some comparisons between three different flavours of operating system so that the less proficient among us know the difference and, more relevantly, what you could expect from each operating system from the stages of install to set up and performance. For the purposes of this write up, the operating systems being used are WIndows XP, Linux Ubuntu and the newcomer to the operating system world, Windows Vista. The hardware profile for the system used was as follows:

Pentium 4 3.2ghz
2gb PC3100 ram
200gb hard drive
Sapphire/ATI pci-e 256mb HD2400pro
Realtek onboard sound

Operating systems installed and evaluated purely on ease of install:

Windows XP Pro with service pack 3 integrated
WIndows Vista Home premium with service pack 1 integrated
Ubuntu 8.04 desktop edition, using the GNOME interface


The reasoning behind this is that most home computers still won't be AMD 64 or Intel Dual core processors, and so this write up, as stated could be considered valuable for entry level users at the least. Either way, I hope you get something from it. Without any more ceremony, let's get going with the first OS:

[center]

Minimum & recommended spec requirements (recommended specs will be in bold):

Pentium II 800mhz Pentium 4 1.4ghz upwards
512mb ram (1gb ram)
128mb graphics card of any flavour

Pros:

- Widely regarded as an industry standard for home and office computing
- Massive range of hardware and software compatibility
- Wide range of antiviral and malware protection software
- Built in firewall (from windows service pack 2 upwards)
- User friendly Graphic user interface (referred to as a GUI from here on in)

Cons:

- The pure volume of malicious software designed to disable, hijack and disrupt your computer usage


Windows is, at least for me, the easiest operating system to install. Vista has all the refinery and hints of what you can expect from its use, but it also doesn't bother to tell you what you won't be getting, and what it will do - Windows XP affords you a certain degree of autonomy. In the case of set up, this is an easy prospect; first you begin by simply inserting the CD into the DVD/CD player, and allow the setup progress to begin. Now this is where you have to pay attention to the user manual, because you need to know whether you have a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) drive, or a PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment) IDE hard drive; most computers fresh out of the box these days will use a SATA drive. At the point of install, a screen will request that you press F6 to install additional drivers - this is necessary for any SATA drive that you wish to install Windows XP, as XP doesn't support SATA natively (Just as windows 95 didn't support USB until much later in the game).

This is an easy process; you simply insert the supplied floppy disk into your a drive, at which point windows reads the driver information, and then takes you onwards to the setup screen, which will look something like this:

At this point, providing you have the hard drive space, I recommend you press the C button, and effectively create two partitions on the hard drive: The purpose of this is data protection; you can backup all important documents to the second partition, so that should the need arise to reformat, your data will always be safe.

Important Note: At the very first opportunity you have upon installing WIndows XP, name your partitions so you don't make the mistake of deleting the wrong partition - save yourself some heartache and lost memories! (not to mention data)

At this point, you may continue with the install. Select an appropriate partition (by default, the C:/ is recommended), and opt to format the partition using NTFS instead of FAT32 - I don't suggest using the quick format option unless you're really in a hurry, but after this, files will begin copying. At this point, you can probably go make yourself a coffee or read a chapter in your book, play a couple of rounds on the xbox while the system formats the C partition. Once this has completed the installation files have completed, the system will reboot, and you will be greeted with your very first glimpse of the windows xp boot up screen under a clean install.

Congratulations! The hard part is over. (I promise)

After the system has booted up, you will be asked to input your preferences that are largely dependent on your region. The first screen will be this:

At which point you can appropriately select your region, keyboard layout and language. Once you have made sure everything is set the way you want, click next, and XP will then proceed to ask you for your name and company. Obviously, a company isn't necessary, but the name is merely there to confirm that the OS licence belongs to you.

Once this has all been completed, you will be greeted with another screen - this is by far the most important, and you'll need your serial key which can be found with the disk on the back of your book. The serial registration key should look something like this:

Enter your key, the system will verify and accept or deny, at which point the setup will move on and request a computer name and administrator password.

Important: Please remember to input a password that you can remember easily - this is an important security feature.

Once you've done this, the system will ask you to correct the timezone and date; this usually isn't necessary, but the requirement has been known to happen. Press next once you're happy, leave the network settings on "typical" and press next.

Almost done!

At this point, the system will ask you for a workgroup; this isn't important unless you plan to network all of the computers in the home together (which can wait for another tutorial), but for the purposes of this exercise, workgroup is the default and will more than suffice. press next, and walk away for another 20 minutes while windows configures the settings and finalises the installation. (On a P4, this takes far less time, but is extremely true when installing the system on a slower model of computer). AT this point, windows will once again reboot and ask you if you want to adjust the visual settings. THe box will look like this:

Select ok, the screen will flicker, and...You're there. Well done, you just installed windows XP from scratch. XP will then walk you through initial set up. It will ask you if you want to turn on automatic updates (I recommend that you allow windows xp to do this), and then will ask you if you're connected to the internet directly or through a home network. Let us, for the sake of this tutorial, assume that this is our only computer, so you select "directly connected". The screen looks like this:

You can change this later, but for now, it'll do. It'll ask you to select DSL/Cable, or LAN, at which point in most cases, you merely select the first, unless you're using your computer in a university dorm.

Activation

WIndows will then ask you to activate. This is a very simple process, and is nothing to worry about as no personal data is collected; this is merely microsoft protecting their interest by confirming you have a legitimate product. It is interesting to note that although Windows XP makes provisions for people with single or dual processor systems, Microsoft does allow for the same licence to be installed on any laptop so that compatibility to be ensured. Activation is a quick and painless process, and should only take a few seconds.

After activation is completed, register your copy of Windows with Microsoft, and then move alone.

Note:If you have an illegal product, on the proviso that you're willing to surrender the receipt and name of the person who sold you the copy of windows XP, Microsoft will furnish you with a genuine copy of windows XP.

Profiles &Prudent security measures

Begin by adding your name or nickname as a profile. Easy process, press next. Windows will then thank you, and set your desktop for first use. It is once this is completed, I heartily recommend you log off. Once you have, press the control, alt and delete button twice, so a different log on dialogue pops up. enter the username "Administrator", and then enter the Administrator password you made earlier. You are now on the administrator profile, and it is this profile that I suggest you install all programmes from. First, begin by selecting the control panel, and select the user settings. Select your other profile, and turn this account into a limited account - that account will be your every day use account, but in ensuring that you don't have all the read/write priveleges to hand also ensures that 70% of malware also lacks that privelege.

Note: Remember that second partition? Format it (by right click and pressing quick format) and name both drives now!

At this point, you're good to go.

Recommended software:

Antivirus, Adblock & Firewall Lists:

AVG
Avast!
Comodo Antivirus
Comodo Firewall protection
Zonealarm
Ad-aware

Office productivity:

Openoffice

Media player:

Winamp

Web Browsing & E-mail:

Firefox
Thunderbird
Opera

Note: Remember to install all of these applications in your adiminstrative account - don't give the less scrupulous members of internet society a way in to your system!


Is there anything else?

No. Allow WIndows to run through its updates, and you'll be good to go with a system that will hopefully stay up and running for a good while. Remember to defragment your system every so often, and (in theory) you'll have a system that will keep you happy well into your next upgrade!

[Netrix]

Great job. Plus reputation.

[monahan]

I have ubuntu and vista coming next, but my fingers hurt right now. hehe

[nathanlawliet]

Oh God.. Here comes another OS war...

Seems a bit biased to me. I mean, in Ubuntu Linux you choose your username, password, where you want to install it, and your language. In Windows XP, there are more options and thus, making it a more complicated install.

Seems like it should be more of a (by ease of install):

1. Ubuntu Linux 8.04
2. Windows Vista
3. Windows XP

I've installed them all multiple times, and by far, Ubuntu is the easiest. XP, if you know a bit about your computer, you can install it (my friend can't, but he can install Ubuntu just fine). And in Vista, it's simplified like Ubuntu, hence #2. Of course, other than that, it seems like you gave a pretty decent review of Windows XP. I like it.

[monahan]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

Oh God.. Here comes another OS war...

Seems a bit biased to me. I mean, in Ubuntu Linux you choose your username, password, where you want to install it, and your language. In Windows XP, there are more options and thus, making it a more complicated install.

Seems like it should be more of a (by ease of install):

1. Ubuntu Linux 8.04
2. Windows Vista
3. Windows XP

I've installed them all multiple times, and by far, Ubuntu is the easiest. XP, if you know a bit about your computer, you can install it (my friend can't, but he can install Ubuntu just fine). And in Vista, it's simplified like Ubuntu, hence #2. Of course, other than that, it seems like you gave a pretty decent review of Windows XP. I like it.

Nathan...I didn't write it for a god damned flame war, I wrote it because I plan to cover them as a basic recommended OS, and go from there, and close with an opinion of each - in all honesty, I've never run ubuntu, I'm a SUSE man and I picked ubuntu because I'm out of my element. Out of interest, can your friend install ATI drivers? they're non proprietary.

[SilentWalrus]

I like all of them with a little bit of Windows 3.1. Personally.

[nathanlawliet]

Originally Posted by monahan

Nathan...I didn't write it for a god damned flame war, I wrote it because I plan to cover them as a basic recommended OS, and go from there, and close with an opinion of each - in all honesty, I've never run ubuntu, I'm a SUSE man and I picked ubuntu because I'm out of my element. Out of interest, can your friend install ATI drivers? they're non proprietary.

I'm sorry Monahan just... I've been sick for like, a month now (I'm going to the doctor today) and I've been worrying a lot more about things.

Although I KIND OF keep my opinion, I don't mean it as mean as I said up there. And my friend.... Good lord he wouldn't know how to find out who made the card. I don't mean to insult him but... He's bad with computers.

Note: I take that back if what I just stated above contradicts something I said earlier, or proves me wrong about anything.

[Justananomaly]

+rep, good post!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

Note: I take that back if what I just stated above contradicts something I said earlier, or proves me wrong about anything.

Don't we all wish that?

[133794m3r]

this is a great thing that you're doing for all of the newbies out there...
and I must concur w/ Nathan about that ease of install... since I too have tried 'em all.

[nathanlawliet]

Originally Posted by 133794m3r

this is a great thing that you're doing for all of the newbies out there...
and I must concur w/ Nathan about that ease of install... since I too have tried 'em all.

I agree. XP is by far, the most difficult to install. Then there's Vista, which is a bit easier but still you have to set up things like Internet (Note: Friend can't do that), and then in Ubuntu you fill out your name and such and BAM it's ready.

Originally Posted by Locke

Don't we all wish that?

?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

?

Don't we all wish that we culd take back things we said that somehow made us look bad, of course.

[133794m3r]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

I agree. XP is by far, the most difficult to install. Then there's Vista, which is a bit easier but still you have to set up things like Internet (Note: Friend can't do that), and then in Ubuntu you fill out your name and such and BAM it's ready.



?

well nathan most desktops are like bam! but for some laptops you have to BAM insert a ethernert cord, then install the wifi driver.... and then it works perfectly but yeah it's great.

[Netrix]

Originally Posted by nathanlawliet

I agree. XP is by far, the most difficult to install. Then there's Vista, which is a bit easier but still you have to set up things like Internet (Note: Friend can't do that), and then in Ubuntu you fill out your name and such and BAM it's ready.



?

If someone can not even set up their Internet, why would they even use Linux? It may be easy to install, but is it easy to use? Not really, for most people, compared to XP or Vista. The installation process is pretty much a one time thing and thus fairly trivial in the scheme of things.

My point is that someone should not choose an operating system just because it is the easiest to install.

[nathanlawliet]

Originally Posted by Netrix