So Long XP. It was good knowing you!

[Aminifu]

After many stays of execution, the day finally came for Microsoft to drop support (4/8/2014). The story behind XP's signature wallpaper.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2140802/the-story-behind-the-windows-xp-bliss-photo-and-what-it-looks-like-today.html#tk.nl_pcwbest

[fc*uk]

In my line of work, this has actually caused a massive snafu. Yes, we have known this was coming for years; there is nothing we could have done about it.

Validated systems running software from scientific vendors that runs scientific equipment. Vista was such a mess that no scientific vendor coded anything for it; use XP they said. Windows 7 came along and these same people said, XP is still supported, but yes, we are trying to get out Windows 7 drivers. The plug gets pulled on XP, vendors release drivers and compatible software months prior at best, and we are expected to revalidate all of our laboratory equipment in a few months?

Can't happen. The result: computers are being pulled onto closed networks/given no outside world access, which is making life a pain in the arse...

[DrO]

computers are being pulled onto closed networks/given no outside world access, which is making life a pain in the arse...

that could be a good thing as depends if you're [not necessarily pointing at anyone specific] just meant to be working on them or browsing facebook all day long

[k_rock923]

In my line of work, this has actually caused a massive snafu. Yes, we have known this was coming for years; there is nothing we could have done about it.

Validated systems running software from scientific vendors that runs scientific equipment. Vista was such a mess that no scientific vendor coded anything for it; use XP they said. Windows 7 came along and these same people said, XP is still supported, but yes, we are trying to get out Windows 7 drivers. The plug gets pulled on XP, vendors release drivers and compatible software months prior at best, and we are expected to revalidate all of our laboratory equipment in a few months?

Can't happen. The result: computers are being pulled onto closed networks/given no outside world access, which is making life a pain in the arse...

I've had to do this with some industrial equipment. These machines have controller cards which simply don't exist under Visa/7/8. Pulling them onto their own network is all well and good, but what happens when the hardware fails?

I actually had one industrial machine manufacturer tell me to go find something on ebay. I ended up finding a niche supplier for what this client needed, but that is not going to work in all cases.

To be clear, I'm not angry towards Microsoft for this. XP needed to go for about 10,000 reasons (and as a sysadmin, I was getting pretty tired of most of the GP preferences not working correctly, even with the client side extensions update. Good riddance). However, before too long, I'm going to have clients looking at replacing 7 figure equipment because a $2,000 PC died.

[Sabine Klare]

I wish, I could have learned to know Windows XP...

March 2004 I had bought 2 computers with Windows XP for Frank. June 2007 one of his PCs had a virus, it had to be brought to the service shop, Windows XP had to be reinstalled. It wasn't possible anymore to turn on the other one. At the same time I bought a new PC for him, with Windows Vista 32-bit. August 2009 I bought my first own PC, also with Windows Vista 32-bit. July 2013 my PC got 2 new harddrives, and Windows Vista had to be reinstalled, it is 64-bit now. November 2011 I bought my notebook with Windows 7 64-bit for listening & watching to the music also in the bed. At first I always asked Frank, but now he always asks me, if there is a question about computing.

Somebody has said, a computer with Windows XP would be more vulnerable to viruses than a computer with Windows Vista or Windows 7. There will be no more Windows Update for Windows XP, but why shouldn't computers with Windows XP be used only in offline mode? Also the offline mode is possible. Many music composers prefer Windows XP. I tell the people also: "Don't take Windows 8, take Windows 7!".

I have fears, that our 2 old computers with Windows XP cannot be turned on anymore, and we don't have the money right now for the service shop (everything else has become more expensive in the last years). And then my plans cannot be implemented in the doing. I had already some very important plans with one of the old PCs, but I always miss so much in my life, also my own experiences with Windows XP...

[Satuim]

In my line of work, this has actually caused a massive snafu. Yes, we have known this was coming for years; there is nothing we could have done about it.

Validated systems running software from scientific vendors that runs scientific equipment. Vista was such a mess that no scientific vendor coded anything for it; use XP they said. Windows 7 came along and these same people said, XP is still supported, but yes, we are trying to get out Windows 7 drivers. The plug gets pulled on XP, vendors release drivers and compatible software months prior at best, and we are expected to revalidate all of our laboratory equipment in a few months?

Can't happen. The result: computers are being pulled onto closed networks/given no outside world access, which is making life a pain in the arse...

Looks like somebody is going to have to pull there heads in.
There are now 12 years out-of-the-loop...

[fc*uk]

^

Though I understand your fundamental principle, one does not simply throw away a $750,000 UPLC/ms/ms because a $500 computer is out of date.

[Aminifu]

Though I understand your fundamental principle, one does not simply throw away a $750,000 UPLC/ms/ms because a $500 computer is out of date.

Yes, that sacrifice makes no sense. People have problems with XP when they try to run current software/hardware with it. As long as you stay with apps designed for XP, kept it off the web, and maintain a backup of the apps and OS, there should be years more use left (assuming the hardware holds up).

[k_rock923]

Yes, that sacrifice makes no sense. People have problems with XP when they try to run current software/hardware with it. As long as you stay with apps designed for XP, kept it off the web, and maintain a backup of the apps and OS, there should be years more use left (assuming the hardware holds up).

That has been my problem. It's (usually) easy enough to find the software again, but these CNC machines often have some specialized ISA card or something else equally obscure. It's hard enough finding a motherboard with ISA, let a lone a replacement for the card.

[fc*uk]

That same ISA/other obscure card problem also exists for older instrumentation. What we have found is generally the controller card is the true limitation as no one makes drivers for the card to work on Vista/Win7/Win8.

It's really not a good place to be in. I would think there would be enough push back against these manufacturers the someone would get hired to write the drivers for a modern OS and get a PCI card made. Most vendors have software that runs on a modern OS and it really is a limitation on the ISA (or what ever) card.

As we are dealing with instruments that range from a half a million to a million dollars, it's worth revalidating the software/system for such an update. However, doing this for a $40,000 GC makes absolutely no sense and the computer gets pulled from the network ...

[Aminifu]

Once the hardware starts failing, you just have to get modern equipment. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will be. Stock up on spare parts now, don't wait until something fails.

Back in the mid to late eighties I worked for a company that specialized in repairing obsolete equipment. Very few companies like that around today. The one I worked for shutdown is 1998 (too hard to get parts and people who knew how to use them). Our biggest customer was the FAA. They were still using equipment with vacuum tubes in it and paid millions to keep that stuff running.

[Sabine Klare]

Okay, I was able to turn on this one old XP machine, but not the monitor, also "very good". And now? Without working monitor I cannot see something. The monitor is from 2004 like the other old monitor from Frank, which had died in November 2013. I had already bought a replacement monitor from Aldi in October, because his old monitor was dying on, and when it was dead, I had connected the new one immediately. No money right now for another new monitor, and the old XP machine will go off again in some minutes directly via the button. At least I hear "life" from this machine...

Then I have to "jump into the cold water", a German phrase, if a person has to try something very new, although this person is afraid a little bit. I have only my PC and my notebook now, and I have to try something very new directly there. You know, I cannot take Frank's PC without asking him, and he wants to keep his PC "very simple" (also no Winamp on his PC). I hope it will go well, if I "jump" today...

[Aminifu]

Hi Sabine,

It has been my experience that things are often not as bad as I imagined they would be. I've lost a lot of time I could have spent enjoying things that I was hesitant on trying. After I finally 'jumped into the cold water', it usually turned out alright.

[Sabine Klare]

I have finally 'jumped into the cold water', too (PC & Notebook), and everything went well...

The old XP machine has a disk space of only 32 GB anyway, not enough for me. Also the 32 GB micro SDHC cards for my cheap Android devices (bought 2012) are not enough for me. I need much more. For my PC I have 2x 1000 GB, for my notebook I have 1x 750 GB. 1000 GB would have been much better, but at least my notebook has media keys, which is also very important. Both computer have 4 GB RAM. I think, the old XP machine has only 1 GB RAM...

[Aminifu]

Way to go, girl!