Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

I am finding that some software that I use are now releasing upgrades that requires XP or above. My 3 computers are on Windows 2000 (I never found the need before this to upgrade to XP).

So question is: should I go with XP (which I think is available for $100) or with Vista (which I think is over $200 or so). Do they both require same amount of memory or does Vista need lot more? (my machines have 512mb, 1gb and 1gb respectively).

Someone sain I can try free linux but I am worried the programs I want to run (MS-Money, TaxCut etc) may not work on that.

advise please

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

Go with Linux (ubuntu). You can run it from a live cd..and see if you like it...install away! Search the web/forums and im sure youl find adequate replacements for the aforementioned programs!!

Hasta la vista baby!!!

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

ps. please dont think youve scored upon my use of the word baby!!

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

vista on 512MB is terrible....

and u better wait till SP1 of vista is out to see if it solves the many problems with vista's compatibility....

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

I my self use Fedora core 6. But ubuntu is not a bad choice at all.
do what Stone cold said.
Plus you have 3 computers you run it on one play around with it for a while.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

If you want to use software that require XP then linux is not an option as those would not install on it. Put XP on the 2 PC's with 1gb memroy, leave 2000 on the PC with the 512 mb memory.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

TB can't he use "wine" to run win software on linux?
I haven't use wine my self.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

I heard that Xp is not available anymore for consumers to buy. is that true? In which case, Stirs.. only option is Vista.

Furthermore, he does need three copies of Vista, otherwise wont be able to upgrade at least two machines in the future, if he uses same liscence for all 3 machines.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

using vista for a month, so far so good. it caused some problems in the beginning, but overall its easy to get use to.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

what were the problems u faced? I've reverted back from vista to XP for some unknown issues i was having....

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

well my bar just disappears after using the computer for 5 plus hours. i have to restart the computer again. don't know whether it has to do with the laptop or vista?

otheriwse, the programme is very elaborate, with security features and new add ons.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

oh right.

yea well mine kept freezing on me and had to reboot frequently, sometimes lasted for hours, sometimes would need to reboot with the hour of last one...ESPECIALLY when i was playing any videos...and yes all my drivers were up to date.

I think it might have been my Mobo because it was 64-Bit supported but not necessarily Vista certified.
i still wish i could get vista....:( and this mobo's fairly new

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

is there any way to avoid it because i really like vista. never had any problems like that with XP.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

is ur mobo vista certified? i'm told by Asus that might be why...because they dn't support it ( in my case)....

plus check that all your drivers are updated to that of Vista

u might also wanna check out MSDN forums...they often have some pretty good solutions that are OS related

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

i m not computer savy so what is mobo vista and how does one certifies it?

my vista came with the laptop so i would assume that it is certified.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

mobo's short for Motherboard

and if ur motherboad is not vista ready, then it's basically not supported and if u have any trouble...there may/may not be a solution to it.

Oh right...well if it came with the laptop, then i think it should be fine as well.
May be you could call the manufacturer of the laptop and tell them ws going on....they might have a patch/fix for you

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

alright, thanks for help teggy.

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

No problem brotha! anytime :)

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

Ever heard of ebay? Actually it might pay to visit Rainbow center for this. Rs. 25 only :D

Re: Advice needed: XP or Vista (or free Linux?)

are u fo real bro?

cuz i got sum ppl comin from pakland later this month...do u think i should get a Vista thru them? if they have it there..that is!