Windows Queries

[MetalheadGautham]

I have a few questions about Microsoft Windows versions. Many look too Old now, and seem n00bish. But Since I bought my computer when I knew nothing about one, and mine came with Win XP Pro SP2 preinstalled and no CD of the OS(you know what I mean..), I am unaware about these stuff:

1. What's the current cost of Windows XP Professional SP3 CD? If its not available, then what about SP2? Tell me about both retail and OEM versions.

2. What's the current cost of each of the Vista flavours? I want street price from bangalore.

3. Do all windows vista versions have the same features when it comes to ability to run software, directx10, etc?

4. Can anyone enlighten me about Windows Vista Starter? Where Can I get it? I am asking this because I need a no nonsence OS with good security for Gaming. I need it to supplement Canonical Ubuntu.(All it needs to do is to play the latest games well. ubuntu will take care of everything else.)

Is vista starter available for purchase?
If not, then will PCs with it preloaded give DVDs of it?
Can I get some screenshots?
Does Starter support 64 bit processors?

[NucleusKore]

XP Home SP2 is good, i am using it, original. I paid Rs. 3500/- for the OEM version two years back. Prices on the net seem to be around 4000 now.

[iMav]

well the basics are the same in all vista versions what differs is tailored apps

This Table will tell u which version has what and which does not have what ... prices abt bangalore no idea and no sp3 not available officially yet its beat and out to only a few beat testers though leaked

[FilledVoid]

These prices were taken off this board itself. The reference was from deltapage.com which is in Chennai. however I doubt that the prices would vary vastly based on Location. However the price list is kind of old . hence Im not sure if they have decreased greatly.

MICROSOFT - OEM
MS Win Vista Business 7500
MS Win Vista Ultimate 10400
MS Win Vista Home Basic 7150
MS Win Vista Home Premium 7800
MS WINDOWS XP PRO MEDIA CENTRE 5200
MS WINDOWS XP PRO 6200
MS WINDOWS XP HOME EDITION 3700

http://www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61868

[praka123]

well,if u want to play games,try ur xp on some virtual players.else buy Cedega
http://transgaming.org/subscription/subscribe.html
^for approx 2100 rs u can play games for 13 months,i mentioned just to let u know! apart from crossover and wine!

[MetalheadGautham]

@prakash:

I don't want the games to require more than usual RAM by emulating windows in linux.
And its not worth paying thatmuch for just an year.

[MetalheadGautham]

so no one knows anything about vista starter? or about installing DOS in vista?

[sakumar79]

1. What's the current cost of Windows XP Professional SP3 CD? If its not available, then what about SP2? Tell me about both retail and OEM versions.

SP3 is not yet released officially... XP Prof. with SP2 slipstreamed costs about 6-7k in OEM version, retail version will cost a bit more...

2. What's the current cost of each of the Vista flavours? I want street price from bangalore.

Home Basic Edition 3600
Home Premium Edition 5400
Business Edition 6200
Ultimate 9400
XP Starter Edition 1500 (Not sure about Vista Starter edition)

3. Do all windows vista versions have the same features when it comes to ability to run software, directx10, etc?

AFAIK, all versions will be able to run software similarly, but Starter edition limits to 3 apps at a time, and Home Basic lacks Aero support...

4. Can anyone enlighten me about Windows Vista Starter? Where Can I get it? I am asking this because I need a no nonsence OS with good security for Gaming. I need it to supplement Canonical Ubuntu.(All it needs to do is to play the latest games well. ubuntu will take care of everything else.)

If all you want is to game on Windows, why worry about security? Also, there may be some compatibility issues to be ironed out with Vista (but I dont know for sure)... Unless you need Vista/DX10 based games, you could probably go for XP...

Note that there are some limitations on the processor that are supported... See http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...r/default.mspx for details...

To run DOS in Vista, use DOSBox emulator... Works on good processors to even emulate games...

Arun

[infra_red_dude]

If you want the most basic edition of Vista then literally buy it!! I mean Vista Basic Edition. Vista Starter Edition is a joke! Plz stay miles away from it and ask your future generations too to do so!!! Its like a person whose hands and legs haf been cut!!!!

If you are buying Windows now and only for gaming, I'd suggest you buy Vista Basic since DX10 is not natively supported on Windows XP and Vista Basic is all that is needed for gaming among the Vista clan.

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by infra_red_dude

If you want the most basic edition of Vista then literally buy it!! I mean Vista Basic Edition. Vista Starter Edition is a joke! Plz stay miles away from it and ask your future generations too to do so!!! Its like a person whose hands and legs haf been cut!!!!

If you are buying Windows now and only for gaming, I'd suggest you buy Vista Basic since DX10 is not natively supported on Windows XP and Vista Basic is all that is needed for gaming among the Vista clan.

and what about virtual machines? can I run vista in one?

[sakumar79]

I presume you can, but even if you run vista in a VM, you need a licensed version of vista for it... And if you want to game in Vista through a VM, I would not advise it...

Arun

[infra_red_dude]

No point in running games on Vista in VM.

[MetalheadGautham]

then what about DX10.1 hack for windows XP?

[anantkhaitan]

For DOS you can install DOSBox

[infra_red_dude]

DX 10.x for XP is not native. You can never be sure what happens when!!! Its like running on a rickety bridge and hoping not to fall!

[MetalheadGautham]

Originally Posted by anantkhaitan

For DOS you can install DOSBox

how do I use it? whats the default folder? Can I make it automatically open DOS files?

and does anyone have any idea how dos-emu can be used in Ubuntu? I click on the icon, but no effect.

[praka123]

^if u want dos tools,may be "mtools" package helps
and dosemu etc should be launched from a terminal!

[sakumar79]

For DOSBox, you install it, then you can edit the config file a bit to get necessary mounting of CDs, etc... (it is not very difficult, and there are forums for it)... Then, if you run it, you can run DOS games, etc under it... You can even edit the config file to automatically start a game everytime you start DOSBox...

Arun