Charles writes:
<<My question is:
1. I have a chance to replace Win ME with XP. I'm going to do
it (ME is causing crash, after crash, and restart). Question:
Do I install Windows XP Home or Professional? What does
Professional do that the Home version doesn't?>>
This doesn't answer your question, but I'd query your reason to switch. Win
ME (or any version of Windows) doesn't cause crashes. Crashes are usually
caused by incorrect operating procedures resulting in registry
corruptions. Otherwise by software or hardware conflicts, poor computer
setup, or hardware failure (eg bad memory). Or by running so-called crash
prevention software.
Repeated crashes/poweroff/rebooting straight back to Windows is a recipe
for disaster.
Switching to another Windows version is unlikely to solve any of these
problems. Presumably you are aware that unless your computer, software and
hardware are all very new, it is likely from all reports that much of your
present software and hardware won't run on XP.
Often people report that switching to another OS has solved their computer
problems. What they don't realise (usually) is that it's the reformatting
and re-installation of everything that has fixed the problems, and that
they probably would have done just as well by reformatting and sticking to
their current OS. I'm convinced that even the order in which programs are
installed is important (install your most complex ones first).
I'm not saying "Don't move forward". But make sure it's for the right
reasons. And that your system is right for the move.
But give it a go, by all means. You're going to have to reformat anyway,
and you can always go back to ME if XP doesn't work out. It'll be fun trying.
We'll be interested in knowing how you get on. Please let us know once you
have settled down into the new system---that is, if you do make the move.
<<2. What is a good USE FRIENDLY graphics program?>>
That depends on what you want to do and how much you want to
spend. Irfanview (free and simple) is the standard viewer with some
limited editing functions. Paintshop Pro seems to be the easiest and most
popular graphics editor in the more expensive range. None of the more
complex ones are particularly user-friendly for obvious reasons---the more
complex, the longer it takes to learn.
CorelDraw is excellent and comes with great tutorials, but it's expensive.
For limited functionality you could try Polyview, but it doesn't do a lot
compared with the more expensive ones.
Xara 3D does excellent things with text graphics---sometimes you can pick
up free copies.
For an instant viewer/converter, I wouldn't be without ACDsee's tiny
Picaview. If I died and went to Heaven, that's the only piece of software
I'd take with me. Essential if you have a lot of Pix.
But I doubt that any of these will run well on XP (maybe Irfan might, he's
probably got an XP version out by now).
Don Penlington
Free computer tutorials at: http://www.geocities.com/donaldpen/
Also Fractal Galleries, free icons, poetry, and beautiful Queensland beaches.
PCSOFT maintains many useful files for download
visit our download web page at:
http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml
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