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After installing Win Xp for others I was initially impressed with the system. When it first came out I was doing tech support on the phone and we found the faults in it as it related to both hardware and software installations.  ( Nikon cameras and scanners)

Now after dealing with the activation process and service pack 2 problems I wouldnt go online with it and I'm sitting here with a new update which I was considering putting on a karaoke system.  I have been using Win 2k Pro since it first came out and have had very little problems with it. However it's the same old scenario As hardware becomes faster and software is becoming, for lack of a better term I'll say less efficient, even updates which Microsoft used to provide freely wont keep up andgadually disappear. I recently downloaded mdac 2.8 from Microsoft and before download had the option to validate system. How long will it be before that is a requirement? I'm considering putting the cd with all the others bad burns etc and throwing the fancy green package in the trash.
 
So here is the question? Why should I put a system on a computer that I dont put on the internet thus it will be a pain to keep updated. And if I change the hardware ( I plug in usb hardrives etc) or make many changes in software it has the capabilities to lock me out.  I can imagine going in to do a $500- $700 wedding and my system is totally useless

 Is there anybody running xp on their karaoke system and have you had any activation problems? Yes I know about saving the files in sys32...

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I haven't liked XP since it came out.  I love Windows 2000 Pro.

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Tig runs XP and uses it for karaoke... BUT that's winamp. I know he DID have to put the associated aspi files in a couple directories.

For a pc that doesn't go online, what's the boggle on keeping something that works, and works WELL? That I don't understand.

I've seen several posts on another forum about the mp3toolz ver 4 and other types of tools... the updates associated with it.

And my thought now is: "Wait: it's WORKING! Why SCREW it up??!!!"

I have at home a AMD 2400 Windows 2000 Pro pc with a plextor cd burner (that reads the .cdg code). I use a beta version of mp3toolz, non microsoft.net, and it works great. Winamp as my player. Works GREAT. KJPro for a database and Autoname as the file renaming facilty... works F*n GREAT. Audiograbber to rip tracks directly to mp3+g... I think I may need a new burner as after 600 cdgs, it's giving minor errors... but still, with the twelve new discs I ripped the day before... it works GREAT!! I occasionally have to use cdrwin 3.9F to grab a track or two that audiograbber has been picky about. Sometimes it won't work... it maybe a fault of the original disc, or it could be the burner is going out! For another $60, I'll get another Plextor!

My show pc is about the same, but I don't have a burner on it. My motto is: "Keep It Simple... STUPID!" Easy to troubleshoot if errors occur the less you have on it.

I don't connect my show pc to the net, so why would I care about new improvements? It's MERELY a player for my tracks!

I had to tweak the ASPI install not for Winamp to work but for my burners... Like matt said, a SHOW pc is just a player... hell put win 98 on it if ya want if it works for you... XP is ONLY necessary if you are concerned about security issues (stay off THOSE porn sites) or if you have the newest hardware available that requires XP (or doesn't have any driver support for earlier versions of windows) ... as matt asked, if you are NOT connecting it to the internet then there is no good reason to have to do any updates once the system is installed and activated (or hacked)... if you think you REALLY need any service packs or updates from Microsoft, go to their site and have them send you the service packs for FREE on CD... yes they will do this... I have the security updates and service packs (1 and 2) on CD just for people who THINK they need them but don't use the internet... good luck.. - tig

Yup this has been my thinking for 3 or 4 years... Had to grin with tigrr's comment on win98  got a buddy that does 3 shows a week at $175 /nite  with a 650 emachine and win98 and using winamp as a hoster (did use cavs for awhile) He is still using the emachine but I finally got him onWin 2k (for usb etc)

 I too would be satisfied with my present system in fact back when I was really into it I would burn a rom chip with all the karaoke software and I would be doing shows with the Valley dart board siitting in the coner (Well almost)  I worked on them too...

Here is where I am coming from. I  beta tested a hoster with 2k and the guy writing the proggie was using xp....That is where the update problem comes from (their data base or whatever needs a newer mdac etc)... I recently tried Roxbox (which still has a few bugs) but I was so impressed I bought it it's about $60 . It works great on win2k but iI installed xp on a spare hard drive and had problems. But I can see the day when everything will be written on longhorn (Gates does not have a clue what a long horn or a short horn is)

Ok I can see down the road I'm gonna see something else I cant do without (I'll never be satisfied with my system) and my computer system will be obsolete.  Short story Years ago when I got out of the service and my sister's water pump went out in her car.. I went down to auto parts and asked for a water pump repair kit...The old guy behind the counter smiled and said how long has it been since yu worked on a water pump son? They havnt  made a repair kit since the flat head. Anyway I'm getting off track Us old people tend to do that.. But working with these other hosters I see the handwriting on the wall and no light at the end of the tunnel...

It's just something to consider downstream we are going to have to upgrade and I'm just trying to stay ahead.. H** I'm just trying to keep up...But if I can have fun along the way that's all that counts.... Thanks for the comments and welcome more...

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as I did find out, I had to have service pack 4 for win2000 pro, due to the sizes of my huge hard drives. But as Tig said, you can have that on a cd!

I have sp4  on a cd but it will be the last support that Gates have on a cd for free.. If you sign on and your computer will do nothing unless you download the their latest msn messenger  BEWARE  Am I the only one that hasnt been seduced?

Naive??  This what this thread is about  Will we keep upto ttimes legally?

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Dont worry ......the light has been turned out for a while to save energy

I'm still waiting for a decent player for linux or Mac OS X to show up.  I'm looking at different alternatives on the PC line and really like the Karaoke Go Round product.  I still haven't moved to a pc based show but don't think I'd use Windows XP if I did.  I might consider using Windows 2000 Server or Professional.  I expect them to be dropping support for the OS soon and would likely use Windows 2003 Server over Windows XP Pro/Home.

If anyone knows of a decent hosting solution for Linux, BSD, or Mac OS X let me know.  I'd buy new hardware just to avoid using Winblows on a show PC if I need to.

I saw the light once, but  it just was another*** train...

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I use XP Pro and love it, I surf the internet and I'm completely updated and mine runs fine. The problem with operating systems is not the operating system it is the software and the user who installs it. I repair at least 2 a week where a tool bar or virus as infected something. BHO's will attach to IE and the user lets them without even knowing. Microsoft Spyware Beta is free right now and works great.

You cook and clean the kitchen, you surf and clean the system. System Mechanic 5 works great for cleaning and monitoring the startup programs if you don't know how to use the windows version.

So don't blame Gates or the system for not working, look at yourselfs and the software makers. Or we all can go back to chipping stones!

2 Laptops and 2 home PCs on XP pro and would never change em!

I run xp pro on all of my machines 3 notebooks, and 3 home machines. All of them work with minimal problems. Most major of issue have been running multiple sound cards silmutaniously. Other than that single saound card applications such as karaoke has been effortless. I run pckj for my shows.

I would never go back to any of the primitave versions of windows.

if you are running xp pro or win win 2k with msn messenger microsoft is cleaning you r kitchen as they see fit , They control your microwve and monitor what you are cooking  on your stove does this not bother you? I sacrificed 10 years of my life for the constitution  and I dont like anybody who violates the principles therein If you are familiar with old westerns and the bad guy that took over every bodys property then this is how gates aquired dos he got it for less than 50,000 dollars It is the most greedy corp ever and anybody that supports it is a peon in the true sense of the word.

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Delete the folder messenger is in, problem solved. As for DOS, he bought it. There is something wrong with that? Houses in Hawaii used to be 50,000 now the same house sells for 1 million, are they wrong to?

Progress happens, and one day Gates will fail with some new gadget on the market, so I go with the flow. Microsoft is big and powerful but they made the PC easier for everyone to use and get one. That's not so bad.

But you sacrificed 10 years of my life for the constitution, Doing what if I may ask? And what does that have to do with XP or Microsoft?

Happy Surfing

I'm a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Trainer, A+ Certified Technician, Network+ Certified, Security+ Certified, and a Netware Certified Administrator.  I've worked for a number of fortune 500 companies including Disney, Charles Schwab, the US Coast Guard, US Army, SAIC, Titan Systems, among others.

Even with all those certifications and over 16 years experience in the IT field I wouldn't use XP Professional for a system I'd use in a show unless I didn't have any other choices because of a number of issues.

As for your comments, yes, installing software and 'add-on' utilities cause many of the problems people have.  There are lots of reasons that people have issues with their computers and lots of them have to do with the fault of the end user.  There are lots of ways to help make things more stable, including reliable Anti-Virus, spyware blocking software and installing only what's needed on the system.  I have systems that have been up and running for years but I'll stick to something far more stable and less likely to have problems.

BTW, I don't blame Bill Gates or Microsoft for anything other than making a product with enough problems to keep me employed for 16 years and then some.  I've been asked time and time again to fix problems created by other people on Windows.  Almost never on Mac OS X (other than a few minor configuration issues), Linux, or BSD (other than initial setup).

I never knew the US Army was a Fortune 500 company!! In that case I have 21 years with a Fortune 500 company! Awesome
Thats going on my resume, watch out everyone I need a job in 15 days! But I have no certifications except for 21 years as a Fortune 500 company Bee-Otch. But boy can I Ballroom Dance and Astronuat good.

I'm not going to list my Degrees, Certifications, Resume or Military Record. Suffice to say I have a bit of experience.  WIN XP PRO SP2  is solid, I have my laptop loaded with every piece of software you can imagine, and some you can't and it still runs solid. No crashes no major issues. The one piece of software that will never reside on any of my computers is AOL, I have IE but never use it, Firefox all the way.  A good free Antivirus Program and two good spyware killers and you’re set.

It's easy to say that Apple OS's don't crash as much as Win XP, I run PC's and Mac's and frankly they both have their dark sides. For Karaoke I use Win XP Pro, 2 to 3 shows a week for the past year, never had a crash or a problem. For graphic and AV apps, I use Macs and PC, when I can't get my hands on a more serious system. Macs tends to be a bit more friendly but not much.

Newsflash: Macs do crash, and crash hard. If you haven’t crashed a Mac, you haven’t lived.

BTW, I'd love for Microsoft to clean my kitchen. It's amazing that someone who spent 10 years defending the Constitution would renounce Free Enterprise. Apple had the most closed architecture for years, they wouldn't let anyone even write software for them it the first several years of their existence, while the whole world was writing code for MS-DOS. If you believe Microsoft is trying to control your microwave, I suggest a copy of Catcher in the Rye and a cabin in the woods. Just don’t go to Wall Mart to buy the book, they are evil. No really, they are.

I wish somebody would clean my kitchen. If you believe that the government is responsible for fixing the economy (if they hadnt socailized it any man or woman could 40 hours a week and support any family), if you believe that the petroleum industry or any energy company monopoly is free enterprize systems then you dont know what free enterprize ia all about.

If microsoft isnt controlling my microwave then it must be all the cell phone antennas on the roof they are 12 storys and I'm 8.. The antennas are parabolic but I dont trust 1.5 degree beams at close proximities.

My literary suggestions for you are "The Mountain Man" (which is about increasing gov control)  and "The Natchezz Trace " which were required readings  in western lit class..

 I buy most of my stuff from Walmart  Kipper Snacks,  modems just got the 2.0 usb brd for $25  get all my cdr's from them too. And this response is written with a big grin and in hopes we can all have fun and maybe get a little info..Welcome to the forum..

I appreciate all the honest answers on this thread esp from karaokemiester.  And due to the answeres I got I put my legally bought XP on this  internet comp. Activated it and got all the updates...I started with dos and evolved thru 3.0 , win 98 over the years.. XP is the best system Gates has come out with yet although he might be adopting some bad ideas (the constitution comment pertained to invasion of privacy I can put a model a starter on a 49 ford and nobody is going to go ballistic and require me to explain what is goin on of course that is from the days when we had true free enterprize).. .

Now if I could get the thread back on track if anybody has XP on their karaoke computer and has had problems with re-activation please let us know. I would love to use it but I would like to know how to keep it updated without going on the internet and not worry about activation if I stick different usb drives or anything else on it....

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