ok so i'm in my last resort now since my pc is attacked by so many malware that my antimalware can't even remove. i'm tired of doing scans, it consumes too much of my time just to remove such problems. i'm currently using windows xp and we just found out that our copy is not genuine. this version has been installed like a couple of months ago, and i've already experienced so many virus attacks. i'm a busy person now and i can't afford to lose precious time just by doing scans and experience hangs while doing such scans. and i definitely can't afford to use a system that is slowed down by so many viruses. my question is i want to know the difference between windows 2000 and xp. i'm thinking of reformatting and installing windows 2000 since my classmate told me that he didn't experience any of the stuff that i mentioned on windows 2000.

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There aren't really a huge number of differences. Obviously, XP looks different to 2000 and some of the options and such are in different places, but that's about it really. Windows XP, accoding to some people runs slightly faster if you have a lot of RAM and CPU power, but the difference is neligable. XP also has a few extra features like inbuilt CD writing support, Movie Maker, the firewall and anti-spyware stuff from SP2 and things like that, but nothing you can't source as freeware from other places for 2000. The only problem is that a lot of new software coming out has been developed for XP and may not work on 2000.

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windows 2000 is just an earlier version of windows xp really, a large amount of things in it are the same but you would notice some differences, as far as security goes i wouldn't expect you to really get any better protection using it over xp. the main things to do to try and avoid things like malware and things is to ensure you have applied all available updates from microsoft, installed a virus scanner (if you don't want to spend money avg free is not bad, its what i use http://free.grisoft.com). you should also be careful what programs you download and install from the internet, if the website doesn't look reputable then don't install the program. To try and avoid some of the things that get installed without you knowing i would recommend ditching internet explorer and using a more secure browser like firefox or opera (google them for more information)

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Windows XP has slightly new features from Windows 2000, Like CD Burning, Remoter PC and Other Languages Compatibility like URDU.
But for security concern....XP is similar to 2000, You need Higer CPU and Big RAM for faster Processing of Windows XP with respect to Windows 2000. This is a disadvantage of Windows XP over 2000.............But the security features are same in bothe Windows. I am using Windows 2000 Pro nd installed some more software for security and firewalls.........Like........TrendMicro, SpyDoctor, and one Ewido Malware..........

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Differences between XP and 2000... most of them have already been answered, but here's my view: Windows 2000 is NT 5.0- XP is NT 5.1 Not even a full version difference. XP has a fancier more "user friendly" (If that's what you want to call it) interface, while 2000 looks more like the traditional Windows. XP also has more features, but I find it to be a resource hog on some older machines, especially when there isn't enough RAM. 2000 is compatable with almost everything XP is, often times you'll see on system requirements Windows 2000/XP, although that's changing now with more programs devoting themselves to specifically be used on XP machines only. I find 2000 is a little easier on "older" machines. As mentioned in the other posts, XP does have more features built in. XP tends to be a little annoying when it comes to the whole "genuine windows" thing and having to talk to Microsoft every time you have to reinstall it. With Win2k, you just enter your key and you're set to go when you install it, just like other previous versions of Windows, which is useful when you have to reformat and reinstall for some reason. BUT... now Windows Update seems to check both XP and 2k to see if they're valid before allowing you to download updates. So either get a genuine version or find a copy of SP4 on a CD.


As for security, it's all very similar to XP I guess, but it's been around a bit longer, I believe the final Service Pack is Service Pack 4, and if you know how to secure your machine (Anti-virus, anti-spyware tools, setting your browser security settings to high, firewall ect) Windows 2000 seems to be pretty tight. I don't believe I've ever had anything nasty on my Windows 2000 machine, then again, sometimes it's simply knowing what websites not to go to and what programs not to download. So either way, as long as you have a good antivirus, your security settings locked up tight, and all the patches and updates installed ect ect, either version should be just as secure. If you want to stay more up to date, have more compatability with upcoming programs, I'd say go with XP, but again, I cannot stress this enough... Security, Security, Security! Windows isn't going to secure itself, TRUST ME, you need to put a little work into it!

But anywho, I think XP is annoying, and since I'm not big into gaming and most of my programs are a few versions behind anyway, I use good ol' stable, reliable Win2k.

 

 

 

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thanks for all the help you guys. right now, the scans that i've done have decreased the amount of virus found on the pc, but there's some that still can't be removed. one particular problem is this adware called Adware.Virtumonde that keeps on infecting my pc, thus my ewido keeps on blocking it. it's the line of defense that i have at the moment, not until i do the reinstalling of the os. i'm not reformatting the pc as of the moment, since i still have deadlines to catch and as i've said, i'm pretty much preoccupied with academic stuff and all.

my primary concern is security although i know that i have to have the latest patches in order to be protected against these attacks. the problem is, as i've said, this version (of windows) is not genuine since we don't have the original installer since this pc is just second hand. and we've already changed the motherboard after the previous one got burned from overuse, so the previous windows os installed in this pc is long gone. i do not know where my brother got the installer for the current windows installed here, so there's no point in using "windows updates" here, thus this pc became prone to attacks.

i do admit that i'm an internet freak, but i guess i become a bit careless sometimes. anyway, thanks again for all the replies, and i will surely update you once (hopefully sooner) this pc has been reformatted.

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I don't see why you people always get spyware and *BLEEP*. I never get spyware, malware, virus or anything on my computer. Just use Firefox for those porn sites and you will be fine. Internet Explorer can be used for trusted sites. I never have any problems.

And, if I do have problems. I just reload the image I have. Takes about 15 mins and I've got a fresh install of my comptuer with all my settings set the way I like with all the programs already loaded.

It's not hard. You just have to be smart and not just use your computer without thinking. Do you drive your car without thinking? no. It's because if you drove your care without paying attention, you would crash it or get hurt. Same with your computer, you have to pay attention to where you are going on the internet and take the proper precautions.

btw. i am on XP media center edition. Also was on XP Pro with absolutely no problems.

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so just because you're SOOOOO good at this that you're bashing other people who aren't? what gives you the right? what gives you the nerve to tell me that i'm not doing things right, the way you think what you do is the right way huh?! and like what i've said, i admitted what i think was wrong in surfing the web, but that doesn't make me stupid, because as far as i know i only surf on the net for relevant stuff like my mail or my blog and the blog of my friends. so don't go pointing out that i'm stupid.

don't get me pissed off. you're one of those people that i can't stand. just like the one who bothered me in the other forum.

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Ok well I would suggest to get rid of that last bit of malware you need to get Micrsoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool (However you have to have a Genuine Version of Windows) and Ad-Aware (Free) (Lavasoft) , which takes about 30-60 secounds to scan which if you do once every week or so should help you out, as far as speed and security differences between the two operating systems is about the same, and XP is slightly more secure with more updates and firewall. Oh and I think someone else also said to use AVG free, definatly a good idea. However it may be annoying to here but in early december Microsoft will be releasing its newest operating system call Vista, I have a beta and the beta is slow, but it is just a beta, so the actual thing should be much faster, infact if you have a flash drive with at least 512mb of memory you can use it to speed up your computer which really does help. If you are going to just get XP or 2000 then I suggest you get XP.

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