Win XP
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From: Pacific
Win XP
Having a lot of trouble wih internet connections; it will not stay connected, dropping off line often, and does not want to connect if left idle for too long (cable modem). I was told that the Home Edition of XP is not as good for handling the internet as is XP Pro. Does anyone know if I can upgrade from HE to Pro? I am using a HP pavillion which uses proprietary software, there are no disks, everything is in the Hard Drive. I would imagine a conflict if I tried to install a new OS.
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From: UK
My laptop came with XP Home, I upgraded it to XP Pro so I could use IIS, no problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ing/matrix.asp
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p...ing/matrix.asp
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From: France
Are you using a USB connected modem? I've been using XP Pro since it came out and have never managed to retain a connection for more than a couple of minutes using a USB modem with ISDN, so I changed to an internal modem and using that there are not any problems.
Pro "should" go over the top of Home but it is always safer to do a clean install.
Pro "should" go over the top of Home but it is always safer to do a clean install.
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From: Pacific
No, the modem is an internal one, and the cable connects directly to the modem. It worked OK on a WIN98 machine, which makes me suspect the XP OS.
I have tried to work with different OS's before, using name brand computers, and they often do not allow changes. I cannot, for example, do a clean install onto a Sony 528. After partition and format, it would not allow me to install a 'clean' copy of WIN98; I had to use the recovery CD only, so all I could do is start it again using Sony's data. I hope the HP machines are not the same, but who knows? When I ask HP questions like this they refuse to answer, since they say I have voided the warranty by adding or changing anything in the machine. It would not work with a Kensington mouse, for example, and as soon as the technician established that I was trying to get it to work with a mouse other than the one supplied, he refused to deal with my problem any longer.
I have tried to work with different OS's before, using name brand computers, and they often do not allow changes. I cannot, for example, do a clean install onto a Sony 528. After partition and format, it would not allow me to install a 'clean' copy of WIN98; I had to use the recovery CD only, so all I could do is start it again using Sony's data. I hope the HP machines are not the same, but who knows? When I ask HP questions like this they refuse to answer, since they say I have voided the warranty by adding or changing anything in the machine. It would not work with a Kensington mouse, for example, and as soon as the technician established that I was trying to get it to work with a mouse other than the one supplied, he refused to deal with my problem any longer.
Last edited by boofhead; 12th July 2002 at 08:23.
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From: Australia
Quite a lot of hardware that worked perfectly well up to, BUT NOT INCLUDING WinXP(Home or Pro), is not actually compatible with XP, they even have a list somewhere on the MS website.
I tried three internal modems that wouldn't work, finished up with an external one that does.
If you can reach the website of your modem manufacturer see if they have a driver update for XP, sometimes that is all that is required, other times you have to change the hardware.
I tried three internal modems that wouldn't work, finished up with an external one that does.
If you can reach the website of your modem manufacturer see if they have a driver update for XP, sometimes that is all that is required, other times you have to change the hardware.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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From: Peripatetic
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From: Cebu, Philippines
Hi boofhead
As BlueEagle suggests, it sounds suspiciously like a driver issue. I am using XP Home on my laptop and can hosnestly say I am delighted with it. It came preinstalled on a Toshiba laptop so there are no compatability issues with my setup and I have never experienced any line drops or disconnection problems - I find a dramatic improvement in stability over W98SE too.
I suggest you visit the site of your modem manufacturer to see if they have a driver for XP.
In case it is of interest to anyone, I must admit, I also considered moving up to Pro as did expedite_climb, as Home does not have the Personal Web Server/IIS supplied - I wanted to develop and test a new website. After taking some advice about opening up my system to become a server, and the security issues, I decided to build the website with FP2000 on my laptop and then I opened a free hosting account with "tripod.lycos.co.uk" and uploaded it there. There are adverts, but with software to cancel them out, they don't bother me at all. It was easy to open the account and uploading was a cinch with the "Publish Web" in FP2000.
I hope you sort out your modem problem - I am sure with the right driver is the key.
Best!
HA
As BlueEagle suggests, it sounds suspiciously like a driver issue. I am using XP Home on my laptop and can hosnestly say I am delighted with it. It came preinstalled on a Toshiba laptop so there are no compatability issues with my setup and I have never experienced any line drops or disconnection problems - I find a dramatic improvement in stability over W98SE too.
I suggest you visit the site of your modem manufacturer to see if they have a driver for XP.
In case it is of interest to anyone, I must admit, I also considered moving up to Pro as did expedite_climb, as Home does not have the Personal Web Server/IIS supplied - I wanted to develop and test a new website. After taking some advice about opening up my system to become a server, and the security issues, I decided to build the website with FP2000 on my laptop and then I opened a free hosting account with "tripod.lycos.co.uk" and uploaded it there. There are adverts, but with software to cancel them out, they don't bother me at all. It was easy to open the account and uploading was a cinch with the "Publish Web" in FP2000.
I hope you sort out your modem problem - I am sure with the right driver is the key.
Best!
HA
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From: Pacific
Wish it were the driver, but I had to upgrade that to XP when I first installed it. It is a Zoom cable modem, internal. I did get good service from it for the first couple of months, it has slowly been going bad until it is a pain in the neck. I was planning to try an external modem, but then I thought it might be the OS causing the trouble. Either way is going to cost me money, and it would be nice to know what is the best route to follow. If I try an external modem, is there any trick to configuring the LAN connection?
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Cebu, Philippines
boofhead
As you have found out, these types of problems can be a swine to resolve.
All I can suggest is the process of elimination and to make sure:
No viruses - full virus scan
No trojans - try "The Cleaner"
No spyware messing with your connection - Adaware
(I just found a new one for me - a module of Coreldraw (Attune) is listed as spyware and right enough, Adaware picked it up).
Have a look at
Interactive Modem Troubleshooter - it may help.
Let us know how you get on.
Best!
HA
As you have found out, these types of problems can be a swine to resolve.
All I can suggest is the process of elimination and to make sure:
No viruses - full virus scan
No trojans - try "The Cleaner"
No spyware messing with your connection - Adaware
(I just found a new one for me - a module of Coreldraw (Attune) is listed as spyware and right enough, Adaware picked it up).
Have a look at
Interactive Modem Troubleshooter - it may help.
Let us know how you get on.
Best!
HA
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 600
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From: In the Haven of Peace
boofhead,
I installed XP Home Edition on my old laptop and then the internal modem wouldn't work so I bought a Blaster external USB modem very cheaply and it worked perfectly.
My new (Toshiba) laptop came with XP HE pre-installed and I've had no problems with internet connections at all, so I don't think it's XP HE. Have you downloaded all the updates from the Microsoft website? There are a few computer mags out at the moment which have a lot of the latest updates and fixes on their free CDs.
I installed XP Home Edition on my old laptop and then the internal modem wouldn't work so I bought a Blaster external USB modem very cheaply and it worked perfectly.
My new (Toshiba) laptop came with XP HE pre-installed and I've had no problems with internet connections at all, so I don't think it's XP HE. Have you downloaded all the updates from the Microsoft website? There are a few computer mags out at the moment which have a lot of the latest updates and fixes on their free CDs.
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Pacific
I guess it was the drivers, since they are a Beta release for Win XP (it worked fine on 98). I have changed to an external modem and so far (two days) it has not dropped off. Thanx for the help, as usual..
