Re: window xp service pack 3

HEMI - Powered wrote:
Colin Barnhorst added these comments in the current discussion
du jour ...

I wasn't aware that MS considers XP obsolete. That would be
reading more into MS's statements than they themselves have
said. XP is still in active support, after all. New features
are still possible. SP3 is a major project.

I don't know that they have. But, I don't think they still sell
it and it does have an announced date sometime in 2009 when
support ceases except for critical updates to fix security holes.
If someone knows different, I would appreciate hearing about it.

If anyone is considering XP obsolete it is the computer
manufacturer's who are only shipping Vista preinstalled and
not writing XP drivers for their new systems for those who
still prefer XP. I'm not criticizing them for making such a
business decision, but it is a statement on their part that XP
is obsolete. They are saying to their customers that "it is
time to move on." Hopefully their customers who want XP will
move on...to another brand.

I'd like my nephew and tech support guru to build my wife a new
PC with XP on it but he says that he can't buy a retain version
of XP SP2 anymore from MS or any of his normal wholesale or
retail sources for HW and SW. I suppose that it can be found on
eBay and the like and I'm sure that some stores still have it,
but AFAIK, it has been dropped like a hot potato. Still, your
point is well taken, Colin: MS "encourages" both SW developers
and PC OEMs to install the latest and generally still forces them
to at least pay the royalty in order to say they are MS
certified. It's too bad that they won't offer XP anymore but
then, car companies cease production of last years cars, ditto
home appliances, and even clothes go out of style once a year.
The way the world works is to make it at least appear that the
previous version of whatever is like last week's lettuce so that
the customer will feel some sort of OCD-like compulsion to buy
the latest and greatest at any cost in money, time, and
frustration.

After reading the above entire thread - but particular just the part (inline
responses) - I have to say a couple of things.

First - did you get the dates ("sometime in 2009") and facts ("support
ceases except for critical updates to fix security holes") from the same
person you mention later ("my nephew and tech support guru") - if so - did
they give you any details? Here are the details:

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifepolicy
Explaining what you might see...
(# 3 - pay close attention to # 3)

And:
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/lifeselectindex
Where you can see the dates/support options for products by name...

Windows XP Professional:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3223

Windows XP Home:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=3221

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=7024

Windows XP TabletPC Edition 2005:
http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?p1=7801

Short Answer...
Mainstream support ends: 4/14/2009
Extended support ends: 4/8/2014

Second - the person you mention ("my nephew and tech support guru") has told
you that he cannot buy a "retail version of Windows XP with SP2 anymore"?
I've even seen it in Wal~Mart and such - so I know that even for most
people - it's still available locally. However - that one is easy to check
up on... Looking at some of the more well-known online vendors first:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16837116193

Broadening the search (and skipping to the Full Retail pages):
http://www.pricewatch.com/software_oper_system/4181-12.htm
http://www.pricewatch.com/software_oper_system/4180-6.htm

So you can still get the full retail fversion in MANY places. A local
computer store (big name or not) probably still has it as well.

Wishing Microsoft would continue offering Windows XP is like wishing that
there were still selling/supporting as new Mac OS 9 or previous versions of
*nix or closer to the product line - Windows 98, Windows 2000. Everything
becomes obsolete - just because - historically - the electronics and
software industry moves faster than most other products in this reguard is
no reason to become meloncholy about it. It happens and not too many years
down the line - it will happen for the stuff you consider new now.

No one is forcing you to upgrade. I *still* know people using Windows 98.
They don't use it for much more than dialing up to get their email and are
still using the same hardware that came with the machine - but they are
using it the way they want. Only *you* make *you* change. If what you are
trying to do requires a new piece of hardware - it is because you chose to
do something that requires said new piece of hardware. If what you are
trying to do requires a new set of software - it is because you chose to do
something that requires said new set of software. Whether that is surfing
the Internet and utilizing the latest flash pages or just buying that new
scanner/camera and finding out the manufacturer does not support it on
Windows XX...

Products come and go. Heck - if something happens to the carpet in your
living room - chances are if it is over 5 years old - you won't be able to
get matching carpet anywhere. ;-)

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


.

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