upgrade OS or have a RAID?

hi, just building my new system Abit IC7-G P4 2.4C 1024mb DDR and SATA Maxtor 120gig HD.

i am still waiting for my PSU to arravie so i havn't had a chance to fire it up. While waiting i have been getting the lastest driver for everything. I was going to intialy put windows 2000 on it and use Intels RAID migration tool to add a second SATA maxtor drive at a latter date....all fine i thought.....but i read today that this tool is only supported on Windows XP....DOH!

the cheapest price i have found for Windows XP Pro OEM is £115 and the cost of another SATA Maxtor is around £120

I think i have few options.

1. forget about RAID and stick with windows 2000
2. Buy XP Pro
3. Buy the extra HD and set up RAID 0 on the other controller and install windows 2k.

i am stuck...help

 

In your position I would get XP Pro, that way you can upgrade in the future with less hassle.

BTW what heatsink do you plan to use ?

Mat

 

4.kazaa

ok, nvm that was stupid...id buy the hdd if i were u

 

well, i think the best is to ask yourself whats the benefits u would get from raid and is it really needed at present.

 

Since 2000 is far better than XP anyway, I'd say get the extra HD space, even if you aren't gonna RAID it up...

 

^---somebodys bias..Xp isnt that bad..i really like the remade start menu. It handles multiple monitors very well...

 

I don't want to get into this age-old discussion yet again, but suffice to say I don't have any major problem with XP, except it has a few bugs that aren't in 2000 and it doesn't seem to do anything significantly better, except look nice.

 

Start listing all the pros/cons of your decision, and chose the choice that is right for you.

Personaly, I'd go ahead and get XP pro. I like 2000, and personaly think it is a superoir operating system, XP will ease everything from networking down to customizing your start menu. It also has very good dual monitor support

Edit: Oh, if you download all the updates/service packs, there are not all that many problems with XP anymore

 

mmmmm....i don't want to put a warez version of XP on it as i can't be arsed with cracking and patching it up so i can install a load of updates on it....i need it as stable as possible.

i use XP at work and i am slowly liking it...after getting rid of all the wizz bang stuff and making it look like a windows 2000 machine.

half of me is saying forget XP and go for the speed! but my head says get the OS and sit and wait some more.....grrrrr....increase computer spec decrease my holiday cash....now where's my tent gone?

I have put on the zalman 7000AlCu heatsink, was a bit of a bitch to get on first time i had used thermal grease dam slipy stuff isn't it? but it does look mighty cool....LOL....just waiting for my phatt 430w Ernmax PSU to come along with some Corsair 3500DDR XMS ram.......so i can fire my new toy up.

 

can XP do different resutions on each monitor?

ie 1600X1200 on my 19" and 1280 X 1024 on my 17"

 

Yes it can.

Unlike your shelves! Looks like they're about to fall off!

 

certainly swaying towards XP now....uped my res to 1600 and i can't go back now....but i have also got used to doing a dual monitor setup...the best for doing tutorials and video editing

 

I would get the HDD. And if you must have a free, legal O/S, use Linux, it 0wns anyway (or stick with 2k which is better than xp)

 

i would use linux if it would support windows games

 

get xp pro forget raid.

 

I agree with that. Just make it look like win2000

 

i find that if you are using a LEGAL copy of windows you will have no problems, on a side note if everything works fine dont install sp1 its more trouble than its worth, wait till sp2 comes out.

 

I actualy had more trouble pre-SP1 than after, but that is just me.

Besides, XP-SP1 adds the ability to change the programs Windows uses by default, nice

 

well everything works fine for me, then i install sp1 then its a downhill bike race with no brakes

 

cheers for the comments guys.

went fo the safe option...i am showing my age....and got a ordered a copy of XP.....will wait for SP2 to come out though.....does anybody know where the setting is to turn off that dam auotplay thing with a CD and can the file search tool be shown in 'classic' mode?

will be buying the 2nd HD in september so its not that long to wait.

I must be grwoing old as this is hte first peice of software i have bought......mmmm...i guess i owe something back after 10yrs