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View Full Version : Is it worth upgrading to XP ??

UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 08:22 PM
With a little knowledge and eXPerience :) it is possible to make Windows 2000 look like the new Windows XP OS... my Windows 2000 desktop is displayed below. So considering the stability of Windows 2000 and the fact that it can wear the same clothes as Windows XP.. I ask this question to those who are considering upgrading.. Does this change your thoughts on upgrading?
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 08:31 PM
Or how about an ice silver Windows XP look
rugby
08-31-01, 08:32 PM
The ONLY thing I liked about XP over win2k is the multi-users. WIn2k has multi users but XP had simultaneous multi-users. Very cool if I walk away from the computer and my wife needed to check her email. She could just switch users, check her email, and switch back really fast. As far as the look goes, what apps did you use to make win2k look like XP?
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 08:32 PM
this look can be achieved on Win95, 98, and ME as well if anyone is interested
Bender
08-31-01, 08:32 PM
Ick there's another reason to stick with the stock 2000. I don't really go for the toyish look but I'm sure many people will love to know that they can have the look of xp and the speed of 2000. Why would anyone go to xp besides the look?
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 08:35 PM
Originally posted by rugby
The ONLY thing I liked about XP over win2k is the multi-users. WIn2k has multi users but XP had simultaneous multi-users. Very cool if I walk away from the computer and my wife needed to check her email. She could just switch users, check her email, and switch back really fast. As far as the look goes, what apps did you use to make win2k look like XP?

The skin changes were done with a shell replacement called Talisman, I also have a virtual window manager which allows me to switch between four different desktops which depending upon how you have them set up could be used for multiple users to a certain extent
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 08:47 PM
Originally posted by Bender
Ick there's another reason to stick with the stock 2000. I don't really go for the toyish look but I'm shure many people will love to know that they can have the look of xp and the speed of 2000. Why would anyone go to xp besides the look?

I agree totally, Im not a fan of the Toys 'R' Us look of the desktop and have chosen a really nice theme for my own use that looks nothing like any Windows, I just wanted to discover if people liked the look or believe that the newer OS is something better
FerrariF50
08-31-01, 08:48 PM
The thing I heard about Windows Xp is that if you do a format you have to call Microsoft in order to install it again because of the keycodes when you first installed it...They ahve to make a new one.
Treker
08-31-01, 09:31 PM
Hey that is pretty kewl, how did you pull that off? I'm not a big fan of the look, but anything newer than this would be welcome.. though I have to admit I'm still waiting for a SERIOUSLY Realistic star trek voyager shell.. man that would kick! :)

-Trek
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 09:38 PM
Originally posted by rugby
The ONLY thing I liked about XP over win2k is the multi-users. WIn2k has multi users but XP had simultaneous multi-users. Very cool if I walk away from the computer and my wife needed to check her email. She could just switch users, check her email, and switch back really fast. As far as the look goes, what apps did you use to make win2k look like XP?

Is this the multi user logon you were talking about as it is available in one of the shells
UnseenMenace
08-31-01, 09:45 PM
Originally posted by Treker
Hey that is pretty kewl, how did you pull that off? I'm not a big fan of the look, but anything newer than this would be welcome.. though I have to admit I'm still waiting for a SERIOUSLY Realistic star trek voyager shell.. man that would kick! :)

-Trek

Would this shell replacement do ?
phiber
08-31-01, 09:56 PM
hey unseen
u gotta hook me up with a nice shell
that is sweet
Treker
08-31-01, 09:57 PM
That looks like and older lcars 'TNG' Model if I'm not mistaken, I was holding out for something really realistic, but thats better than nothing!

Thanks for shareing, know of a more advanced shell/gui, or where I might one one?

-Trek
rugby
08-31-01, 10:32 PM
I"ll definitely give that program a look once I get my computer back. Thanks for the info.
touser
08-31-01, 11:00 PM
UnseenMenace could you please post some links where to get the software you used to do that?because i think that is awsome! absolutely awsome and would really love to try it out on my win2k setup!
Crazy Jayhawk
09-01-01, 01:36 AM
Where do I get this Talisman program?
Zuck Gou :)
09-01-01, 02:59 AM
tweakfiles


But I used to use it to achieve the WindowsXP look, and noticed the shell was a slowing me down a bit. I only had 128mb of ram at the time.
Mindflayr
09-01-01, 03:10 AM
from what ive been told xp runs faster than wiun2k- but i havent used xp yet only 2k- i have a friend that has the MS development kit so he had XP awhile ago and he says it rocks...

the shells look awesome..

nother reason for XP.. Can actually play Games that win2k crashes on :o) YAY us.. they finally did what they said.. didnt they.. integrating gaming and direct x and multimedia with stable win2k platform.. or am i mistaken and they failed int heir promises again?
TranceBear
09-01-01, 03:18 AM
Originally posted by FerrariF50
The thing I heard about Windows Xp is that if you do a format you have to call Microsoft in order to install it again because of the keycodes when you first installed it...They ahve to make a new one.


This is incorrect, I have re-formatted 2 times with XP and I have not had to call Billie Gates on either instance. The re-formats were not XP's fault, just my own stupidty. I used the same key code each time.
TranceBear
09-01-01, 03:20 AM
You can get all the XP looks for 95/98/ME/2000 at this location and also you can get the extras that you may like that XP has. It is worth a look.
http://www.wxperience.com/
VashTheStampede
09-01-01, 03:46 AM
If I've understood the WPA (Windows Product Activation) thing like it should be, it does not require you physically pick up the phone and dial to Microsoft, it's sort of like electronic registering, except it does it without you knowing it, unless you got a 56k modem then you can tell it's doing it.

Trancebear, by any chance are you using DSL or Cable or any other form of "always-on" connection?

There are ways around the WPA from what I understand, but not to divulge too much on this forum.

~RT~
TranceBear
09-01-01, 04:07 AM
Originally posted by RedneckTech
If I've understood the WPA (Windows Product Activation) thing like it should be, it does not require you physically pick up the phone and dial to Microsoft, it's sort of like electronic registering, except it does it without you knowing it, unless you got a 56k modem then you can tell it's doing it.

Trancebear, by any chance are you using DSL or Cable or any other form of "always-on" connection?

There are ways around the WPA from what I understand, but not to divulge too much on this forum.

~RT~


Yes I use a cable modem, but my firewall requires ANYBODY who send ANY info to ask first, so therefore MS has not re-registered my software. I have brought this up to my M$ chick (she will slap me soon for me refering to her like this) about product registration and she had stated that the only way it will try this is when you re-install this on a completely different machine. I tend to beleive her since she worked on the XP team.
ArAgOrN
09-01-01, 04:16 AM
Isn't there still compadability problems with Win 2k? I bought it

not knowing anything about it and could never get it to work on

my current system. Now I'm building a computer and i'm

wondering if it would be werth installing on my new computer?

Are there downloads to help make it more compadible now?
TranceBear
09-01-01, 04:28 AM
XP right now is compatible with most hardware out there.
UnseenMenace
09-01-01, 04:45 AM
Talisman can be downloaded here (http://www.lighttek.com/) which was used to do the XP look

there are lots of other shell replacements for Windows and most can be downloaded from Here (http://tinomen.pimpin.net/)

Shell Themes, Media Player7, WinAmp skins etc and items that can be used to create a more complete look can be downloaded from Here (http://www.customize.org/)

And last but not least Shell City (http://shellcity.net/)


Hope these links help, but remember to read up before attempting the swap some shells are easier to use than others
FerrariF50
09-01-01, 07:44 AM
ohhh ok :)


Originally posted by TranceBear



This is incorrect, I have re-formatted 2 times with XP and I have not had to call Billie Gates on either instance. The re-formats were not XP's fault, just my own stupidty. I used the same key code each time.
phantom punisher
09-01-01, 10:39 AM
Originally posted by Treker
That looks like and older lcars 'TNG' Model if I'm not mistaken, I was holding out for something really realistic, but thats better than nothing!

Thanks for shareing, know of a more advanced shell/gui, or where I might one one?

-Trek
there a really cool one for kde too its at www.themes.kde.org i think. just tryed that link and its not that:) if your on linux then youve been there 4 or 5 times already anyway
touser
09-01-01, 11:26 AM
well my main reason for not upgradeing to XP is microsofts ignorance to the security hole they have built into their system, u can read about it here (http://grc.com/dos/intro.htm) that is the main reason i will not upgrade..and i personally tend to agree with steve gibson on this 1..
Mr B
09-01-01, 01:46 PM
**Moved post to "Software and Operating Systems".**

Mr B
Treker
09-01-01, 10:36 PM
Thanks man, I'm looking into getting that right now, and as far as linux goes I was holding off on useing it on my spare box till I had a grovy (yeah I said grovy, omg) star trek userinterface for it :)

-Trek
Treker
09-01-01, 10:43 PM
Ok, I got the program, but cant seem to find the startrek shell anywhere?

Where did you find it Unseen?

-Trek
Traz
09-02-01, 06:21 AM
I have the Talisman2 program....it's good, v good. You can download loads of styles and change them to suit you....it is very adaptable and seems to be quite stable.

Here is one star trek theme link http://www.geocities.com/area51/corridor/7825/
Traz
09-02-01, 06:22 AM
And this...
UnseenMenace
09-02-01, 06:34 AM
An alternative star trek theme can be obtained from Here (http://www.lcars-terminal.net/)
Traz
09-02-01, 06:45 AM
[Re: UnSeenMenace]

Did you have to format your system and replace win2k after using that last url theme?

Why?What happened to your system?
UnseenMenace
09-02-01, 07:49 AM
Originally posted by Traz
[Re: UnSeenMenace]

Did you have to format your system and replace win2k after using that last url theme?

Why?What happened to your system?

I have had to format my machine a few times, since playing with shell replacements, some are better than others Talisman being one of the best. The star trek shell is a great shell however some of the advanced features require the user to read configuration files and I am the kind of person who just jumps in and suffers later because of this fact. So to be honest it is more a problem with me than any shell. I guess there is a lesson to be learnt here... well for me anyway

Remember to read the information files :)