WIN 98 vs ME vs XP- where do I go?

[reebboy]

I have a celeron 633 running Windows ME. I hear that it is essentially a bloated version of 98. My question is, does it require more processing power than XP or 98. I always see comparisons between 98 and XP but not with ME. I'm trying to decide if I should upgrade, downgrade or just keep ME.  

[maraxle]

Avoid ME like the plague.  It's the worst version of Windows since 3.0.  On a 633, I would recommend 98 or 98SE.

[bishmasterb]

Agreed, stay away from ME unless you like General Protection Faults.

In my latest project, my computer is a Celeron 400 w/256MB of RAM. I'm running XP Pro and MAME 32 (version .66) and it runs all the early stuff really well. Even Metal Slug plays okay (slows down some on heavy animations, but still generally playable).

So if you're main interest is in the classics, XP shouldn't be a problem. If however you want to squeeze every last cycle you can get out of your processor, go for 98SE and command line MAME.

[Sasquatch!]

Jumping on the "avoid Windows ME" bandwagon.  Ugh.  Just...ugh.

XP will run fine on a 633.  I have it running on a Celeron 466, and it runs plenty quick once any of the unused services aren't running.

[Spaced Invader]

Just a little note...if you run XP make sure you have at least 256MB RAM--memory is REALLY important with this OS. Id recommend 98SE on anything less than 800MHZ and 256MB...my opinion--they vary!  

[SirPeale]

Hey guys, ME does one thing nicely.  Well, two if you count blue being my favorite color.  The CDs?  You can signal a plane from the ground if you ever find yourself on a deserted island.

[ErikRuud]

You can signal a plane from the ground if you ever find yourself on a deserted island.

I thought that was what all the AOL 7.0, 8.0 & 9.0 cd's were for.

[Spaced Invader]

You could hot glue them all over your body and turn yourself into a giant discoball...hire yourself out for parties...a new career...thanks MS & AOL!  

[GGKoul]

You could hot glue them all over your body and turn yourself into a giant discoball...hire yourself out for parties...a new career...thanks MS & AOL!  

Please no.. not another Tron custume.

-GGKoul

[ray_slup]

Please no.. not another Tron custume.

-GGKoul

that guy was on Jimmy Kimbble Live last night

[HaRuMaN]

I have windows ME...  its not that bad...

[Madman]

I have windows ME...  its not that bad...

Your right! ITS MUCH WORSE!

ME was so bad that even microsoft sweep it under the rug ASAP!

98SE for the low end machines 1.2 + go with Rockin XP!

[reebboy]

I actually haven't had any real problems with ME. I would like to upgrade to XP but not if it's going to require more processing power to use and slow the games down more.  I have both XP and 98 maybe I'll just install them both and see which one performs better.

[maraxle]

I once wrote a VB app and packaged it using Microsoft's own installation maker.  It worked fine on everything from Win95 to 2003 - except ME.  The darn thing wouldn't install on a single ME installation, with Microsoft's own installation program, mind you.  I ended up having to build my own installation program using some goofy tricks to get it to work on that awful OS.

Also, notice that MS has already killed off ME while 98SE still receives some level of support...

[Brad Lee]

I have windows ME...  its not that bad...

Your right! ITS MUCH WORSE!

ME was so bad that even microsoft sweep it under the rug ASAP!

98SE for the low end machines 1.2 + go with Rockin XP!

I'm geussing that he blue-screened before finishing his reply