DETAILS OF WINDOWS XP OS

Overall, I think Windows XP Professional x64 Edition RC 2 is a great operating system, and ready for prime time with users with compatible 64-bit processors. Most users however, will not benefit from the improvements in the 64-bit architecture due to the nature of their computing uses. Those users who are avid gamers, compute large amounts of data, or just crave the latest technology will be very pleased with the 64-bit platform from Microsoft.

All it takes is a minor error in the Windows Registry or a virus infection, and your operating system can become unbootable. But with a properly configured USB flash drive on hand, you'll always have a compatible replacement no further away than your pocket or keychain. In addition, the flash drive can also provide a secure browser and virus scanner, and lets you take your favorite DVD burning and Office software with you wherever you may go.

All that's needed is a bootable USB Flash drive with at least 256 MB of storage capacity and a Windows Setup CD. Using the program Bart PE Builder (Freeware), you can install Windows XP on the flash drive, along with other software as needed (and as available space permits).


Bart Lagerweij's free utility, PE Builder, condenses the original setup data for Windows XP into a slender operating system that is ready to run from a CD or a USB flash drive. This compact, portable version of Windows includes all the important system tools for dealing with a PC emergency. You can even add other programs to this collection, such as the media writing tool Nero Burning ROM or an anti-spyware package such as Ad-Aware SE Personal, during the installation process.
Additional Links

    PE Builder Project home page
    PE Builder forums and plug-in exchange
    Plug-in index and supplementary information

Microsoft's aging Windows XP operating system kept its crown for many years, despite two subsequent Windows releases in the form of Windows Vista and Windows 7. It was Windows Vista's monumental failure that kept Windows XP on most personal computers, but people are finally warming enough to Windows 7 to part with trusted Windows XP.

Microsoft's successor to Windows 95, 98, and ME is Windows XP Home Edition, an operating system based on the same code as NT and Windows 2000. XP is more stable than its predecessors because of that NT and 2000 core - but just like NT and 2000, Windows XP Home costs quite a bit more than Windows 9X and introduces new complications to supporting older hardware and software. XP also requires more hardware to run than 9X ever did, another trait inherited from NT and 2K. One thing Windows XP doesn't change from 9X is security: Microsoft still ships its systems with the least possible amount of security and virtually no protection against viruses or outside invaders.

Windows XP takes another bad trait of 9X and accelerates it to the point of being ridiculous: Not only is XP integrated with Internet Explorer, but its also tied to MediaPlayer, MSN Messenger, photo processing software, and a whole handful of other products Microsoft is trying to force on consumers by attaching them into Windows. They aren't always the best products for the job, but they're the defaults - encouraging people who would otherwise use something better to use Microsoft.

Considering the cost, security, and bundling issues of XP, along with the surge of inexpensive or free and quite sturdy replacement systems, there is no longer any excuse for running a computer with Windows.

In terms of usability, I had a few major concerns that I wanted to know were available in the new 64-bit platform before I would consider moving to it. These concerns were:

    Ability to burn CDs

    Availability of IntelliPoint and IntelliType software for keyboard and mouse

    Ability to run Virtual PC for virtualization and testing

    Bluetooth support

    Video card driver

    SATA RAID drivers

    Driver to support my gigabit network interface card

    Ability to run my antivirus software

    Printer support

To my surprise, many of my concerns were resolved with the RC2 release. I was able to find drivers, albeit some were beta drivers, for most of my hardware. Unfortunately, IntelliType and IntelliPoint software is not available for Microsoft hardware on the 64 bit operating system yet. I suspect that it will be available at release, if not soon afterward. Despite not having the IntelliType/IntelliPoint software for my Microsoft Wireless Bluetooth desktop set, the Bluetooth technology is still supported in Windows XP Professional x64 Edition. The capacity to burn CDs from within Windows is also supported in the RC2 build. While my antivirus software, PC-cillin 2002 from Trend Micro, was not able to run on the new OS, I was able to download a supported application from Avast!, a free single user copy for home users. Drivers for my gigabit network card and ATI Radeon 9800 video card were also available. My Lexmark multifunction laser printer, however, was not supported in the 64-bit operating system. Virtual PC 2004 also will not install on Windows XP 64-bit Edition.

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