Don't believe the hype

So i've spent about the last 2 weeks trying to configure my new laptop.

It came bundled with XP and a load of other software, specifically windows media center which lets you play dvds and what not.

After approximately 18 virusses/adware attacks, numerous reboots and freezes, i formatted the entire machine and put windows 2000 on it.

I have not once (I repeat, once) had to reboot the machine due to a freeze up since then.

THe unfortunate part is Toshiba (the flaming homos that made this laptop) do not provide drivers for trhe hardware for win2k, only xp. SO I have painstakingly found alternative drivers which now work reasonably well.

I dont think I can use the tv tuner or the remote control that came with it right now, however... but I dont need them immediately so I'm not overly concerned.

Needless to say, do not give into the hype, do not purchase or even spit on anything other than Windows 2000. I would greatly encourage anyone to upgrade to it, but not beyond it.

In case you didn't realize, the reason they don't provide drivers for 2000 is that they want people to pay for upgrades to XP, even though it is an inferior operating system.

Also, XP requires authentication from microsoft to use.

What has occurred is that Toshiba has received cheap licensing for XP, and in exchange for this subsidization Microsoft requires that all new Toshiba laptops be relased with with XP, and that no drivers be compatible for windows 2000.

Added to this, the media center capabilities that come witrh the toshiba remote control and tv tuner can easily be used in windows 2000 if microsoft created a software version for it, which would require literally no effort.

But this is not available.

Added to all of this is a new DirectX runtime, which prevents me from viewing half the videos I have on my machine as well as my DVD player gimping up.

What ahppens when i try to uninstall the new version?

I find out the microsoft has now made directx a part of windows and is UNINSTALLABLE.

You have to find a 3rd party product that may destroy your system (but thankfully didn't) that downgrades your DirectX version.

Okay, so it's the lowest one, I want to find the previous version. Doens't Microsoft provide older versions?

Nope.

Big Brother wants you tapped into him, so he can control you. Microsoft is a good example of a monopoly going wrong.

I must further add that the upgraded directx runtime destroyed my DVD player and my video player (Zoom Player) but Windows Media Player 9 worked fine for both.

I am truly sorry for your pains, I will go talk to Mr. Gates immediately, bastard still owes me money anyway.

Eh, tell us about it! After pluggin away with an outdated low megahertz processor, i get a new mother board. Only to find the Linux doesn't run on it,samey, samey, no drivers for processor! My XP disc is stratched so it wouldn't load (like hell I'm going to buy another) so back to the old windows. Ya, the download statements informs you that once loaded, can't uninstall so I use Sun java.

Bill gates is the anti-christ.

You just have to not be an idiot. Once you get past that, using Windows virus-free/spware-free should be a task without difficulty.

Did you know the base install of Win2k + Windows update will get the lsass virus within about 3 minutes?

So, only an idiot would claim that it is easy to remain spyware free, because only an idiot would make an OS that is vulnerable to virusses off the bat.

Also, IE6 has vulnerabilities that you cannot escape without a firewall. In fact, if you browse the net even once without a firewall enabled and a virus checker, you will likely be infected.

Hence, you have to spend money.

Only somoene without experience would claim that it is easy to be virus free.. especially with windows XP.

It is easy to be virus free Decius... buy Macintosh!!!