Message 11/18
Date: 02-Dec-04 @ 02:59 PM -
RE: Best OS
This is from http://www.musicxp.net/about_xp.php
"The decision between buying XP Home or XP Professional is actually a very simple one to make. Follow this Microsoft link for a direct comparison.
"If you require SMP support (dual processor), then you'll need to go for the XP Professional edition. The Home edition does not offer this functionality.
"If your computer is going to be used within an NT network domain environment, then you'll need the XP Professional edition. However, the home edition still has "peer to peer" networking, so you'll still be able to connect XP computers over a "home" network.
"There are other more subtle differences between the two versions, including file level rights in the professional edition (requires NTFS) and the missing backup program in the Home Edition (TIP - you can actually find the backup program on the Home edition CD in the \VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP directory!!)
"The configuration tool (gpedit.msc) is only available in the professional version."
then there's a chart on the page...
and this...
"Product Activation
"All retail versions of Windows XP require product activation after a 30 day grace period. If you try to use XP after the grace period, it will only give you the option to activate and will not allow you to do anything else until you have activated.
"Activation is carried out over the internet or by speaking to someone over the phone. There is also an automated touch-tone method. This is an anti-piracy measure by Microsoft.
"If you're still worried or require more information, then try this link, which has a white paper about the guts of WPA."