Dear all,
I am feeling very stupid. Just over a year ago, I purchased a new computer with no operating system. At first I got Linux Mint for it -- no problem there. But it is getting to where I need to buy a windows OS. The only system I am used to on Windows is XP -- but then: (a) In Austria you cannot purchase xp any more -- there is just one shop I know of with a single copy of Windows XP professional; and (b) ... I am not sure of anything:
How does windows xp home differ from windows xp professional differ from ... OEM, NT... small busines... whatever else is out there? (Can I purchase these online, since most of them are not available in Austria?)

The other thing I am not certain of is: What-all does a windows OS come with? Someone told me today that it does not even have word on it. Does that mean I have to pay for the OS, then separately for Word, DVD-Burner, and whatever other programme I wish to have. (I know there are also free DVD Burners out there. I hoped, however, that if I go to the trouble to purchase an OS, that Word, PowerPoint and Excel would simply be on it.

Thanks,
Janelle

Microsoft no longer produces XP in any version so it may be hard to get anywhere. And besides, it is old and obsolete and can never be made as secure as Windows 7. XP was designed 10 years ago and was designed to support DOS era hardware.

XP Home Vs Pro

OEM (original equipment manufacturer) licenses are tied to and purchased with specific hardware or computers. So legally, they are not transferable to new computers and they must be purchased with hardware.

An operating system is just that, a system designed to make the hardware operate. So no, Windows does not, and never did come with Word (but there is Open Office). Windows does have a simple text editor but not a word processor. And newer versions will burn CDs and DVDs but will not play some DVD movies as they require specific CODECs (software).

Your best bet may be to save your Euros and buy a new license of Windows 7. Since your hardware is just a year old, compatibility should not be an issue and Win7 will support you much more securely than XP, and provide years of support.

Dear Digerati,
Yeah, Windows 7 is available all over the place. Just afraid of it, because (a) I am only used to xp; and (b) afraid it has problems, like windows vista. But if you really say it is OK, then I will go for it. Thank you for your very quick reply. (If you have something to say about points (a) and (b), please go ahead. I am still reading.)

Yours,
Janelle

Just afraid of it, because (a) I am only used to xp; and (b) afraid it has problems, like windows vista.

I understand that. I refused to migrate to Vista because of all the problems. But Window 7 is, by far, the best, most stable, and most secure Windows yet. It is what Vista should have been, only better. And while it does have a bit of a learning curve, especially when not familiar with Vista, it really does not take long to get it figured out and there is lots of help if, when you get stuck. And before long, using it will be second nature.

I 2nd Digerati's endorsement of Windows 7. It's by far the best OS Microsoft has produced to date. I loved XP, Windows 7 is much better.

It will take some getting used to but it's worth the effort.

As for Word, Excel, etc, install Open Office. It can handle MS Office files just fine.

For CD/DVD and DVD burner software, install ImgBurn.

There are many free applications that will fill most of your needs. Just takes a while to find them. If you need help. please ask here.

Digerati and Rich -- Thank you for your replies. I shall indeed purchase Windows 7 in a few days. It even has an XP-mode, in case I get too scared of 7. If I then have questions, I shall come back. Thank you very, very much for taking the time to help me out.
Janelle

XP mode only comes in Professional or Ultimate but not in Home premium. I also endorse 7 over XP; I just wish my employer would switch over to it.:-/ My comment is that I downloaded XP mode just to try it out but I couldn't get it to work. Windows set the files as read only so it wouldn't run and I could never figure out how to fix that.

I use XP Mode to do a lot of testing when composing replies to problems about XP on D-A-L and other forums. The only working XP box I currently have is my web server and I will not mess with that so XP Mode is a great help.