What OS for a Music Computer?

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ambi

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Im setting up 2 hard drives in this computer, one for music and one for games and general use. The games and general use one is going to be WinXP. What should i use for the music only one? I have logic 5, so it works with Winxp, should i just use that? Or should i go with win2k?
 
I second XP Pro...

most stable Windows OS I've ever used... (and I've used them all)

WATYF
 
I think the issue here is whether or not your sound card has XP drivers or not. If so, then by all means use XP, preferrably the Pro version.
 
XP is a good idea. I haven't had any trouble w/ home version either. Just make sure your sound card is supported, as elevate mentioned
 
oook

im currently using xp pro and i find it very good, just making sure. I am planning on getting the delta card, but recently ive been doubting it. In another threat i was having people explain "mixing down" from the computer, to the mackie mixing board, then back to the computer. And if i bought the delta 44, i would only have 2 outputs to do that with (2 outputs for monitor speakers). I doubt i could afford the delta 1010 though.... hmm
 
Why not duel boot with Win98SE and XP Pro, best of both worlds.

My home machine has installed
Win 98se
XP pro
SUSE 8.0 Linux
Works a dream
And I still prefer Win 98SE for Audio work but XP is growing on me
 
Win98SE stripped down to the bare necessities and optimized for audio (DMA enabled on HD's, permanent swapfile size, defrag often etc. ) is still the best option I think. XP has too much unnecessary crap tacked onto it IMHO.

Nathan
 
XP is by far the most stable Windows OS. I however dual boot with XP Pro and 98SE because I have Pro Tools, which will not run on XP. Plus, that gives me an OS that is totally stripped down for audio only. It has only audio programs on it, its own swap partition, etc. Works very well.

For audio, Mac OS 9 or so is the best in my opinion. Pro Tools by far works the best on a Mac, however I wouldn't want a Mac as my main computer, and I can't afford to get a Mac and keep my PC, so dual booting it is. :)

But yeah, XP is the most stable, but check your sound card like others have said, as well as software compatibility.
 
i actually have a duel boot with 98se and xp pro. Xp is better than 98se though. Its better for music etc.. So why would i install 98se?
 
If all of your current programs run on Xp than there is no real need to dual boot with Win98se. Most people dual but because of the driver history for Win98se concerning games using demanding graphics. The drivers have had more time to mature and work out the kinks specific to each piece of hardware you have.

If everything runs fine, just stick with Xp. If everything is set up for the first drive and you are just adding an extra drive, boot into Xp and format the new drive using the MS format utility. Since you already have an OS installed, you don't need to install it again on the new drive. Windows should pick it up right away and be able to format it.

I see WinXp as Win2000 Second edition. I would stick with Xp, since most drivers that work on 2k work on Xp.
 
hmm

yea, i would do a duel boot with xp though.
So the music one doesn't get messed up with all the programs, and stuff on the other drive. So its totaly clean and runs fast. You know how a fresh install runs so fast? well i want it to stay like that
 
XP. If your worried about the addons, make a seperate profile for music, with all the bells and wistles turned off. You can even make a seperate hardware profile with the net card turned off and such. HOWEVER, I run XP with all the crap turned on, and never run into any problems. I run an AMD 1800xp
 
Use the newest OS that has 100% working drivers for your hardware.
 
Add me to the list of XP supporters, but note that the Pro version adds absolutely nothing over the Home version that would benefit audio recording unless you have a multi-processor system. This page will tell you all the differences between Home and Pro:

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp

I'd consider myself a serious "power user" (professional programmer, gamer, amateur PC audio engineer) and I find nothing of value in Pro for use at home. A corporate network is a different story.
 
By the way, you can get WinXP Home Upgrade from Amazon.com for $49 after rebate and coupon.

WinXP Home with rebate link

The coupon: $10 off $75 or more at any Amazon store, Code: MAPMCARDSAVE (exp: 6/15)
 
If you're not going to be doing any serious networking, or setting up a server, then don't get XP pro. Get XP home. Cheaper without all of the stuff that you don't need.

Darth
 
RWhitey hit it on the head!

I second the XP Home choice. Stable and just plain smarter than 98 ever was.

However, XP Pro does come with an awesome screensaver that's not included with the home edition. What were they thinking?
It's obvious they wanted to sell XP Pro to a bunch of people that didn't need the networking administrator capability.

:D
 
hmmmm

why is it that with the new upcoming SP1 of XP, that there is a bug fix for "hard drive works slower then expected"?
 
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