Grommit Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 We have a Vanilla Server 2003 / XP Network with Ranger for Networks W have just purchased 80 new PC's to refresh the ICT suite Pentium D, PD-945 Dual Core 3.4GHZ/800MHz, 2x2MB Now... Do I go for XP SP3 or Vista Business.. I know that copying files is slow but there is a fix to this.. So what advice can you give me ?
elsiegee40 Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) Personally I'd stick with XP SP2 - all your existing software and hardware will work with it. Edited January 31, 2008 by elsiegee40
mattx Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 I'd use XP Pro SP2 I won't be using Vista or Office 2007 until we move to Server 2008. Which won't be for a while yet.....
Pete10141748 Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Unless installing Vista is part of your own "move-the-school-over-to-vista" plan, then I'd stick to XP Pro SP2. Pete
Geoff Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Buy the Vista machines and downgrade them to XP. Then your covered for licensing. Wait for Server 2k8 if you have an overwhelming desire to move to Vista.
localzuk Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 What's the memory in the machines? Also, I would be saying XP SP2. SP3 is not final yet, so rolling it out to a production environment would be premature, and Vista, well, that speaks for itself!
torledo Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 We have a Vanilla Server 2003 / XP Network with Ranger for Networks W have just purchased 80 new PC's to refresh the ICT suite Pentium D, PD-945 Dual Core 3.4GHZ/800MHz, 2x2MB Now... Do I go for XP SP3 or Vista Business.. I know that copying files is slow but there is a fix to this.. So what advice can you give me ? I'd personally go for XP SP3, but if you're already using WSUS or a similar package mgmt app then you'd already have applied the hotfixes and updates since sp2....so sp3 won't add as much value. But i think it's still a worthwhile update and definitely a better option at this time than vista sp1.
Diello Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 We have a Vanilla Server 2003 / XP Network with Ranger for Networks W have just purchased 80 new PC's to refresh the ICT suite Pentium D, PD-945 Dual Core 3.4GHZ/800MHz, 2x2MB Now... Do I go for XP SP3 or Vista Business.. I know that copying files is slow but there is a fix to this.. So what advice can you give me ? We installed Vista on our management stations - we'll be upgrading back to XP shortly. There are fixes to the slow copying problem in SOME instances - we've applied just about every fix known to man - still have the problem. Management tools don't work properly either. Far too many problems...
mrforgetful Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 XP SP2. SP3 is still in RC stage right? Vista has SP1 also in RC stage. XP SP2 is actually released. Oh actually, with 2x2Mb RAM you're gonna struggle with any
PeterW Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Oh actually, with 2x2Mb RAM you're gonna struggle with any Err he doesnt say 2 x 2MB ram 2x 2MB is the cache on the Pentium D 945 CPU.
EduTech Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Well my answer to that has already been said lol.. Stick with Win XP Sp2, SP3 is still in RC1 stage and aint released yet. and Vista well i wouldn't bother until your running Server 2k8 Regards James
CyberNerd Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 i wouldn't bother until your running Server 2k8 and I wouldn't bother with that until its 'at least SP2'. Windows 7 looks good - modular, more linux like.
enjay Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Personally I like Vista; I have it in my office and at home and wouldn't want to go back to XP on either, but deploying it across the network is a different animal altogether. Unless you have a specific reason to go with Vista (which you clearly don't), then I would get the PCs with XP running on a Vista Business Downgrade licence. That way, you have the PCs out there as quickly as possible, no user re-training issues and no hardware compatibility to worry about, but are a step closer to being licensed for it when you do make the step. A Vista rollout (or a rollout of anything else of magnitude) is not something to be rushed into. If you are planning on going to Vista in the future, I would get one Vista PC into your office now, or on a test network if you have one, so you can familiarise yourself with it and check your applications and hardware at your leisure.
torledo Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 and I wouldn't bother with that until its 'at least SP2'. Windows 7 looks good - modular, more linux like. noises are that there isn't going to be a sp2. Microsoft would dearly like for sp1 to be the last of the service packs as we've come to expect them to be. They believe windows update and the use of update servers is going to be sufficient post SP1. SP1 is really designed to appease business and get them to migrate from xp, as the corporate mindset has always been to wait for the first service pack.
Grommit Posted January 31, 2008 Author Posted January 31, 2008 Ok... Looks like it's XP Pro SP2 .. Office 2007 with Vista licenses :-)
markcuk Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 if you mean you use lan ranger then it doesn't work with vista yet! they keep putting back the update mark woops looks like its out tomorrow http://www.rangersuite.com/products_designed_for_education/rfn/version
john Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 PCs should be bought with Vista Business or Ultimate Licences, then downgraded to XP Pro until you do the full campus wide change. No mixing of XP and Vista please.
chalkwellstu Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 (edited) Personally I like Vista; I have it in my office and at home and wouldn't want to go back to XP on either, but deploying it across the network is a different animal altogether. Unless you have a specific reason to go with Vista (which you clearly don't), then I would get the PCs with XP running on a Vista Business Downgrade licence. That way, you have the PCs out there as quickly as possible, no user re-training issues and no hardware compatibility to worry about, but are a step closer to being licensed for it when you do make the step. A Vista rollout (or a rollout of anything else of magnitude) is not something to be rushed into. If you are planning on going to Vista in the future, I would get one Vista PC into your office now, or on a test network if you have one, so you can familiarise yourself with it and check your applications and hardware at your leisure. i'm with Nick on this one. just taken delivery of a load of vista business lap/desktop's and am preparing to downgarde them to xp pro. i am keeping one back as vista to suss out and check against existing edu software. Already found that deamontools insn't compatible with no fix as yet, plus there is an issue with home directory re-direction via GPO that appears to be a vista 'feature' . once server 2008 is out and bedded in i believe would be the time to consider rolling out vista but by getting the business license and downgrading i'm covered for future upgrades. anyone know of any issue's in the downgrade process? Stu Edited February 1, 2008 by chalkwellstu Spelling!
elsiegee40 Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 anyone know of any issue's in the downgrade process? Stu Not done it myself, but I'm told you need to watch out that you have got the XP drivers before you start.
Joedetic Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Within a corporate/educational environment, unless you have a need to upgrade I don't see the need to put the time, effort and money into it until it's at least SP1 as has already been mentioned. The other thing is...XP works and frankly, does so quite well...why the need to upgrade? It's a similar situation with Office 2007. "New shiney things...want them now!" 1
mrforgetful Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Err he doesnt say 2 x 2MB ram 2x 2MB is the cache on the Pentium D 945 CPU. haha oh yeh...
enjay Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 It's a similar situation with Office 2007. "New shiney things...want them now!" I disagree - the lay-out changes in Office 2007 aren't just cosmetic (unlike those in Vista), they offer a much quicker method of finding the more advanced functions, especially the ones which you know exist but can't remember where to find.
m25man Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 This is a subject thats going to pick up pace this year. Ranger have not had any Vista compatability until today 01/02/2008. Of course this will only be available to Ramger users with a current software maintenance contract in place, everyone else will have to pay large sums of money to play catch up me thinks as many people have failed to renew their support due to the fact that no significant enhancements have been seen for years! Microsoft are playing hardball with the OEM's and are insisting they stop shipping XP options by June this year and support for XP and patch updates will cease in April 2009. So it looks like this year everyone will need to seriously consider what they are going to do! Time is running out, a bit like the Tax Deadline! This summer Server 2008, Vista and Office 2007 for everyone! Throw away all of your old software, the merry go round is about to start!
CyberNerd Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 upport for XP and patch updates will cease in April 2009. Extended security support ends 2014
mrforgetful Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Not done it myself, but I'm told you need to watch out that you have got the XP drivers before you start. Image one computer with the standard school image Install missing drivers Take new image Image all other new computers.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now