Tech Q: Switching IDE cables

Jevin · Post by **Jevin** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:46 pm

I read this article the other day and I didn't see anything that only Pro offered that I felt I HAD to have. I'm on a budget, for real yo, and if I can legitimately put XP on my machine for less than $100 I want to do it that way. That said, I might be willing to dish out the extra money to get Pro if I'll get real use out of the extra features. So, if there are features I've overlooked that I NEED to game and check email and write papers then point me to them, if you would.

Also, OEM or retail?

Realm · Post by **Realm** » Mon Jun 28, 2004 8:50 pm

You absolutely DO NOT need Pro, and I'd go OEM - all you really need is the disk.

Post by **Richie** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:09 am

Yeah, I had a *legal* version of Pro, then downgraded to Home. Can't tell a single difference.

Yankee · Post by **Yankee** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 7:00 am

The only real difference Pro offers you over Home is some networking stuff that helps with setting up a domain and inter-office network. For a home computer you don't need Professional.

Jevin · Post by **Jevin** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 8:36 am

Thanks again, everybody, for weighing in. You're all saving me a lot of time and especially money, and I appreciate it.

Jbrown · Post by **Jbrown** » Tue Jun 29, 2004 1:23 pm

Yeah like i said i dont know alot about it so dont listen to me. All i heard the diffs was like Pro is better for LANing and WANing, so yeah go with home i guess!

Jevin · Post by **Jevin** » Sat Jul 03, 2004 11:53 am

UPDATE:
I've ordered XP Home Edition full version OEM from a pricegrabber storefront for $66. I hope I'm not getting screwed. If I do, you'll all hear about it. Barring screwage, it should be here sometime late next week. Hopefully then I can post again, extolling both the virues of XP and all your advice.

Also, the IDE cables are switched and working with no problems so far. Once I got the jumpers set correctly everything was peachy keen.

Jevin · Post by **Jevin** » Sat Jul 17, 2004 1:08 am

Finally got it, installed it, and after 2 invalid cd keys activated it. I'll have to take a cue from Captain Murhpy on this one...
Look at me, I'm tryin' my ass off! Windows XP is completely untipoverable!
OK, so not untipoverable, but it's crashed a lot less than Windows 98 would have in the past several days... especially with the gnu stuff I've been running. Thanks again everyone for your advice and input.