XP/Vista?

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geoff956

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Getting a new computer. Was gonna get a Dell but apparently they don't come with XP.
Everyone says don't get Vista. Is that advice still good?
Much appreciate any guidance.
Thanks.
 
Dell and XP

Only a couple models remain that Dell will allow you to buy with XP. But that was up until a couple weeks ago. I just checked their site a week ago and can no longer find Dell computers wtih XP customization.

If you try and order a system with XP that is not doable on their website, they will tell you "sorry, it cannot be done".

Are you ordering a desktop, or notebook?


I have suggestion for you, if you want notebook. Another thread dealt with this already. I'll have to find it.

Meanwhile, if you are going to order a desktop system, and this machine is being purchased primarily for music, then you'll want to buy a separate copy of XP (try Ebay), and reinstall it over a formatted hard drive. But this takes some special care, because from what I have learned, the original XP did not support SATA drives, and so if your new system has SATA controllers (which it will), it's a bit of a geek thing on how to get the drivers bundled into the install, called "slipstreaming".
 
My advice is don't buy a dell or any other brand name pc that isn't designed for audio. You would do better if you got advice on specs from here, music store or even buy one of those pc/audio magazines. Then take that shopping list to your local PC store, have them build it and install XP.

After they've built it and installed xp, print this page out and ask them to do this

http://www.pcmus.com/TweakXP.htm

That isn't to say you couldn't do this yourself by the way, just from what you were saying it sounded like you didn't want to go that route.

Seriously don't buy a dell for recording audio.

As mentioned above, if your into pain - read this;

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=255008
 
I've heard that Vista is tanking with corporate america, and that in benchmark tests it doesn't match XP pro for stability or speed yet.

The supposed security advantages have yet to be proven is my understanding as well...

This is all hearsay and I cannot confirm a single word of the above.
Therfore if anything I've typed is opined to be inflammatory in any way, bite my nurtz.
 
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Security advantages are moot if your pc isn't on the net/network.
 
Thanks again for the advice. It's a desktop I'm looking for BTW. Must admit I'm fast going off the Dell idea.
 
My friend got a Dell. It's a great computer. He could easily replace the SoundBlaster it came with, with a real interface, and it runs really well. But he also paid $1,700. For that money, he could have gotten one a lot better, or gotten one the same for less, and would be able to choose all the parts.

If you know anything about building computers, or know someone that does, I'd suggest doing it that way, and buying all the parts from someplace like www.newegg.com, you can save a lot of money this way.
 
I was looking down this road at one point about 6 months ago. Building a new system or buying a pre-built. The only reason I entertained the thought of buying a pre-built machine was because I am lazy, and didn't want to go through the trouble of building it. I ended up going the newegg.com route yet again, and here is why.

The system i ended up with is a 3Ghz AMD64x2 (dual-core) with 4gb of ram. For my Motherboard, Chip, ram, a new HDD, case, and videocard. I spent $720. From Dell i would have gotten a machine with one quarter of the ram, single core processor, and ony about 2ghz. Also I was going to pay double to tripple the amount i ended up paying. I run Vista x64 with an e-mu0404, and can normally keep my latencey down around 5, the highest I have had to go was 8. I use reason rewired into sonar quite a bit /w tons of VST's running, and this machine never chokes on me. The only bottle kneck I have now is the e-mu0404 but thats a whole other thread in of it's self.

Build the machine on your own. You will get more out of it, and be able to put more into it. Plus you'll save a ton of cash. The only prebuilt computer I would ever consider would be an Apple, but that has yet to have happened.

While Vista may be a POS in some peoples eye's I have had no problems with it. Other than the fact Creative labs has totally failed to deliver a 100% bulletproof driver for my OS, but that is not MS's fault.
 
You can buy a pre built machine that isn't a brand name pc. Just gotta do some research buy the parts and pay someone to build it. Buying a dell for me would be right down there with building a behringer studio.

*opens can of worms
 
lol it was a figure of speech...i knew i should have thought about that more =p


or maybe deep down i really want to start a 65 page is behringer crap thread

I stand by the dell comment however, they aren't built for audio.
 
Many thanks for your replies.
Basically this is where I am:
I'm definitely sticking to XP. I feel I should get a ready built audio type PC (around £700/£900 ) as I'm not a techie and can't build one myself. Neither can I assess the components properly.

Millenium Music (UK) do this: £769

• Antec™ NSK6000 Quiet Case
• Intel™ Core 2 Duo E6400 2.13MHz Processor (1066MHz FSB, 2x2mb Cache)
• 2GB Ultra Fast DDR2 667MHz RAM
• Asus™ P5K-E Wifi/AP Motherboard
• Dual Layer DVD+- Writer (18 Speed)
• Western Digital™ 80GB SATA Hard Drive (7200rpm, 8mb Cache)
• Western Digital™ 200GB SATA Hard Drive (7200rpm, 16mb Cache)
• Scythe™ Ninja Plus Heatpipe Cooler
• Tagen™ Easy Connect Ultra Quiet Power Supply
• NVIDIA GeForce 7200GS 256mb Dual Head Graphics Card (Silent Cooling)
• Windows™ XP Home Pre-Installed
---------------------------------------------------
Dell (back to them again) do this: £649

Base Intel® Core™ 2 Quad-Core Q6600 Processor (2.4GHz, 8MB cache, 1066MHz FSB)
Microsoft Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Professional - English
Memory 2048MB 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]
Monitor Dell™ 22" Black Wide Flat Panel (E228WFP) - UK/Irish
Video Card 128MB ATI® Radeon™ HD 2400 Pro graphics card
Hard Drive 320GB (7200rpm) Serial ATA/100 Hard Drive with 16MB DataBurst™ cache
Floppy Drives and Additional Storage Devices 19-in-1 Media Card Reader
Optical Devices 16x DVD+/-RW & 16x DVD Drives
Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio

The Dell looks better to me & cheaper - and it comes with a 22" monitor, but are there any advantages to the first option? Quieter maybe?
I already have an Audiophile 192 soundcard.

Any comments appreciated, thanks.
 
Toddskins said:
. But this takes some special care, because from what I have learned, the original XP did not support SATA drives, and so if your new system has SATA controllers (which it will)
Click to expand...

This is false btw. I had no problems installing XP onto SATA drives on an intel ICH8 native Sata controller and did not need drivers for the Jmicron (the hot swap) controller either. Besides, XP prompts you for a controller driver if it is required (F6 during install)

I would go ahead and get the Dell "ultrasharp" display. I have had mine going on 3 years and it is excellent. I would also take a quad over the E6400 any day of the week.
 
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SP1 wont install onto a dell laptop without slipstreaming in sata drivers. An SP2 disc will
 
I dont know about laptops but my sp1 XP disk (the same one I have used since 2003, gotta love MS ELUA's sometimes) did just fine on my 965 without third party drivers
 
well, technically there is a switch in the A01 laptop bios for the vostro and inspiron that will allow you to run the drive in slower mode if you REALLY get stuck, but if you have it in normal mode itll barf at you without SP2 or newer

I was just being pedantic anyhow :)

But yeah, stay away from these two laptops if you are doing USB audio anyhow
 
I appreciate the quad would out perform the E6400 but would that system be noisier? I have to record in the same room as the pc so it's quite important to me.
 
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