Windows XP best(fastest) version?

[ilscuro]

Ok i've installed windows 7 enterprise sp1, and as expected it was pretty slow, i followed some of the windows 7 speed up tips on this site here and it did speed up a lot, so with that and the extra 1 gig memory kindly offered by funkyg i'm certain all will be ok

Many thanks

[liveseytowers]

Ive got an old D600 which runs Window 7 with 1gb of RAM so yours should fly with 2gb in it. Wouldn't bother with XP.

[MsDG]

Ok i've installed windows 7 enterprise sp1, and as expected it was pretty slow, i followed some of the windows 7 speed up tips on this site here and it did speed up a lot, so with that and the extra 1 gig memory kindly offered by funkyg i'm certain all will be ok

Many thanks

How are you installing? Are you doing a disk wipe and a total fresh install? To be honest Win7 shouldn't be "pretty slow" even with just 1gb.

[Over Carl]

I'm not certain on that list of services to stop, I'm sure I wouldn't be to happy with all of them off.

1. Application Experience - I would keep - needed to patch some old s/w - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/902196
2. Computer Browser - I would keep - needed to find other pc's on a network - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/188001
3. Desktop Window Manager Session Manager (If you don’t want the aero effects) - I don't think your gfx card will support aero anyway. If it won't then there's no point running this.http://itsvista.com/2007/04/desktop-window-manager-session-manager/
4. Diagnostic Policy Service - I think it generates those diagnostic wizards when problems happen - useless if pc is being used by a geek but maybe helpful for a non geek http://itsvista.com/2007/04/diagnostic-policy-service/
5. Distributed Link Tracking Client - This is what automatically updates links/shortcuts when you move files from one folder to another or to another drive/pc. Handy!!! - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312403
6. IP Helper - This allows windows homegroups to work. Also allows ipv6 over ipv4 tunnelling (I've seen bittorrent use ipv6 over my ipv4 connection!) - http://www.blackviper.com/windows-services/ip-helper/
7. Offline Files - Suppose this is only really useful if you are using another machine as a server so maybe ok to disable. http://www.blackviper.com/windows-services/offline-files/
8. Portable Device Enumerator Service - The group policy part isn't relevant to home networks, but this "enables applications such as Windows Media Player and Image Import Wizard to transfer and synchronise content using removable mass storage devices"
9. Print Spooler (If you do not use Printer) - as it says - if you don't use the printer (or anything like Adobe Acrobat or Primo PDF to make PDF's), then it's safe.
10. Protected Storage - lets your machine cache passwords for various stuff. Theoretical security risk but I find it a pita to turn off. http://www.blackviper.com/windows-services/protected-storage/
11. Remote Registry (You can safely disable it for more Security) - description spot on.
12. Secondary Logon - This lets you right click on a program and select "Run as". Handy if you use non admin accounts and need to Run as admin. Otherwise pretty pointless. http://www.blackviper.com/windows-services/secondary-logon/
13. Security Center - if you are running decent antivirus, I would agree it makes sense to disable.
14. Server (If your computer do not connect with any network) - This allows other pc's to connect to this pc and use files (provided sharing/permissions have been set up correctly)
15. Tablet PC Input Service - the D400 isn't a tablet so go ahead and turn this to manual (if it isn't already)
16. TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper - if this laptop will only ever ever go on the internet, fair enough. Otherwise it may have issues finding other computers/printers/network devices.
17. Themes ( If you want any aero and good visual appearence (classic theme will be applied)) - As description
18. Windows Error Reporting Service - These days, sometimes they actually come back with potential fixes sometimes. Up to you whether you want to run this or not.
19. Windows Media Center Service Launcher - apparantly - "Starts Windows Media Center Scheduler and Windows Media Center Receiver services at startup if TV is enabled within Windows Media Center" - seems pretty pointless to me - http://www.blackviper.com/windows-services/windows-media-center-service-launcher/
20. Windows Search (If you rarely use Windows Search feature ) - In an explorer window, you can click in the top right and search. Takes a million times longer without the index (and I believe it only searches within files if index enabled)
21. Windows Time (If you do not want to synchronize system time with internet time automatically) - I like never having to set my time on my pc and actually being able to set anything else based on my pc's time knowing that it will never be more than a few secs out.

[ilscuro]

Yeah MsDG full format, install, never go the upgrade route.

Think it's me being harsh tbh because my pc's/laptops are pretty quick, hopefully with the 1 gig ram upgrade it will fly.

[the.insane]

If you want to go down the linux route, i would suggest looking into Zorin OS which is ubuntu based but has a windows feel to it


http://youtu.be/AkuuX9dYfz0

[tombott]

I think most people under estimate kids ability to learn / adapt to something new.
I'd have gone for Ubuntu myself, but then we've not had a Windows machine in our house since 2005.
Still I'm sure in 6 months time when the laptop has slowed down to hell and is riddled with viruses you'll look back here and wonder why did I install Windows...

[ilscuro]

Just to update,

i've installed the extra ram kindly given to me by funkyg, and the laptop is turbo charged now many thanks to funkyg and everyone else who replied.