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    Windows XP Mode on Lenovo

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cpm22, Mar 31, 2011.

  1. cpm22

    cpm22 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey, I just ordered a new W520 and there was the option for having Windows XP Mode at no cost. Are there advantages or disadvantages to including this in my order?
     
    cpm22, Mar 31, 2011
    #1
  2. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    It's a convenience thing, as long you ordered Windows 7 Professional or higher then Windows XP Mode is a standard feature. Even if you haven't ordered it initially but want it later, you can do so by going to the website and download it yourself. I think the option is to have it preinstalled so you don't have to set it up yourself.
     
    PatchySan, Mar 31, 2011
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  3. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    Youll have a dumbed/watered down VM of XP to run applications that wont run on windows 7. Honestly I recomend a full VM software like virtualbox and a legit XP license. That way you can set hardware better.
     
    Thaenatos, Mar 31, 2011
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  4. Colonel O'Neill

    Colonel O'Neill Notebook Deity

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    XP Mode is considerably more convenient for most people though.
     
    Colonel O'Neill, Mar 31, 2011
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  5. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    For those who arent computer literate yes Ill agree. MUCH easier to get XP compatibility then a traditional VM.
     
    Thaenatos, Mar 31, 2011
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  6. BrianBloom

    BrianBloom Newbie

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    SO what are the disadvantages? Uses up diskspace? more drivers installed?
     
    BrianBloom, Mar 31, 2011
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  7. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    I see no disadvantages. It is really convenient when one must run certain XP-only applications: they are handled seamlessly.

    Disk space? More drivers? Well, the OP mentioned the W520. That, with 4~16GB RAM and 500GB HDD, we're talking abundance!
     
    Kaso, Mar 31, 2011
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  8. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    Uses space, plus (when running XP) opens you up to all the security risks that come with... well... running XP.
     
    ThinkRob, Apr 1, 2011
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  9. Kaso

    Kaso Notebook Virtuoso

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    ^^^ One can also say that about "interpreting" Flash and PDF in Windows 7. :) (Oh boy, flames coming!)
     
    Kaso, Apr 1, 2011
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  10. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    The disadvantages are hardware control isnt as good as traditional VMs. If your running say autodesk MEP 2006 on XP mode your users will get quit frustrated.
     
    Thaenatos, Apr 1, 2011
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  11. halobox

    halobox Notebook Deity

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    The answer is no. You can download it and install it at anytime later from Microsoft.
     
    halobox, Apr 1, 2011
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  12. ThinkRob

    ThinkRob Notebook Deity

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    Well I'd recommend that anyone steer clear of Adobe's software just on principle alone (and due to their security track record)... but thankfully there are a number of less vulnerable PDF readers out there. Flash... yeah, Flash is bad for a lot of reasons. Avoid.

    Regarding XP vs 7 though: NT 6 and later have complete NX support. They also have a good ALSR implementation, plus an improved user privilege model, better session separation, and protection against window shattering attacks. XP has none of those things. Now ideally the VM *should* provide a bit of separation from the host, but so as to make things easier for folks who just want an "XP compatibility mode", it's nowhere near as isolated as it should be for maximum security. So yeah, it increases your attack surface substantially. Not as much as, say, browsing with IE 7 with admin privileges, but still...
     
    ThinkRob, Apr 2, 2011
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