Get 5 more years of XP patches - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Stonent
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 02:39:39 pm
content: You really should move over to 7 or 8.1 but if you're stuck with some weird program that only works on XP, you can set a registry key that tells windows update that you're using the embedded point of sale version of XP which will have patches for a other 5 years. They probably won't fix all security issues since this version of XP is stripped down and not designed for normal PC use but it could help you some.http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/05/27/simple-hack-gives-windows-xp-users-5-more-years-of-support/

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 10:26:55 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on May 29, 2014, 02:39:39 pm.. then there's no excuse not to use virtualization for that purpose in 2014, really. Just run the fossilized XP under VirtualBox or Hyper-V just for this one, special weird program, isolate the virtual machine from the Internet and you're all set.Hmm... is that the sound of can of worms being opened? Naaah...

author: corrado33
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 11:04:55 pm
content: Yes because virtualization always works with zero problems whatsoever, especially with programs that require external inputs. Not to mention you then need to pay for another operating system and the program to run the virtualization (assuming it's not free.)Typed from someone who works with many computers with XP and a few with older versions of windows on it (for instruments.)It always comes down to money, and upgrading costs the green stuff.(I realize your post had a large hint of sarcasm, I expect you to take mine the same way.)

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 11:09:33 pm
content: Given the vast majority of "POSReady" systems will be on a local intranet only, methinks the updates will not be that significant security wise (perhaps bug fixes for "clock doesn't work after 2016" for example, but no fixes for "0-day exploit in Internet Explorer 6 on Windows XP")...does this mean Windows XP will have an 18-year lifespan, when including the POSReady editions? That's got to be a record for Microsoft.

author: max666
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2014, 11:45:48 pm
content: Quote from: Stonent on May 29, 2014, 02:39:39 pmFor Windows 7 there's at least still the free 'Windows XP Mode':http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/install-and-use-windows-xp-mode-in-windows-7And for the weird ass program, you probably don't need internet, so who cares for the updates.PS: I only need XP for my state of the art flatbed scanner. I can't believe someone would actually still buy/sell these thingshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ScanJet-5200c-SJ5200c-SJ-5200-Flatbed-Scanner-C7197A-MS-/110869249450

author: SirNick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 12:16:14 am
content: I miss XP. No UAC, service-mode VNC worked on session 0, libusb worked without having to buy signed drivers, Starcraft worked without glitchy color palettes, the UI looked nicer, it ran leaner... I finally upgraded to get multimon (>2) support without having to resort to multiple cards, but aside from that, there's nothing in 7 that is really any better.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 12:21:34 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on May 29, 2014, 11:09:33 pmWell, you're wrong about that, on patch Tuesday they released a new version of the previous IE6 on XP patch (KB2953522), along with a shell patch (KB2926765).(And they installed fine on regular Win XP, so thanks OP!),

author: rexxar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 02:31:47 am
content: Quote from: corrado33 on May 29, 2014, 11:04:55 pmI've never had a single issue with virtualization. Most oddball programs don't require anything special. Maybe an ancient scanner as mentioned below, but USB passthrough is pretty well implemented with modern OSesQuoteI assume that if you have a need for virtualized XP, you already have a copy that's running whatever hardware or software you need. You can easily lift the CD key from the registry, or off the case of the computer.I use Oracle Virtualbox. It's free, and it's worked very very well for me. The ONLY issue I've had is that parallel port passthrough isn't (officially) supported. COM and USB work a treat, though. (LPT passthrough isn't enabled, but is is there. I've not bothered to figure out how to do it, though)Besides, it's usually not a huge deal to keep a dedicated XP box in a closet or something. I've got a headless one that I start with Wake-on-LAN, and then VNC into when I want to do something. It's stuck in a corner where I can't even see it.

author: cimmo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2014, 03:18:57 am
content: I'm sure now that this little 'work around' has become widely known, Micro$oft will ensure that future embedded XP patches do NOT work with standard XP.Doing this would be a good investment on their part. And that is all that matters to them.I solved my XP/MicroSoft problems for ever about a year ago when I installed Linux (and none of this dual-boot nonsense).