Windows XP Home Version Bedevils Company Networks
Mishawaka, IN. Ten months after the introduction of
Windows XP, some business users still seem to be unaware of
the major differences between XP versions, "Home" and "Professional".
The former is targeted at home users and very small networks,
e.g., 5 computers or fewer. Windows
XP Home is designed to make connecting machines easy for the
home user, but it can make things complicated in a typical office.
The reason for these problems is the very limited ability of
the Home version to function in a "domain" environment. All
but the tiniest offices are set up as domains. Most companies
have found this out already, but a surprising number still seem
to be surprised.
One might wonder how the Home version would end up in offices
in the first place. The explanation is simple - almost all "over
the counter" PCs sold by electronics retailers come with XP
Home preinstalled. Companies will sometimes buy PCs in the most
expedient way possible, which sometimes means a quick trip to
Best Buy or Office Depot to pick up an "emergency" computer.
Once the machine arrives, though, it won't work in the networked
environment. Furthermore, there isn't an
inexpensive "Home-to-Pro" upgrade - one must purchase
and install a full version of XP Pro. This process may
cause some difficulties in accessing software and drivers originally
installed on the PC, since many consumer-oriented PCs now ship
with very structured recovery features and virtually no software
CDs.
The best bet for companies is to avoid the home version completely
and purchase any new PCs with XP Professional pre-installed.
Here are a few links that explain the functionality of the different
versions of Windows XP.
Microsoft Explanation of XP Home and Domain Problems
XP Home Cautions from ZD Net
Windows
XP & Microsoft License Purchasing
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CompStar Technologies is a leading Indiana-based provider of networking, technology, and communications services. With offices in Mishawaka (serving South Bend, Elkhart, Warsaw, Michigan City, Fort Wayne, Niles, St. Joseph, and Benton Harbor, Michigan) and Indianapolis, CompStar provides network design / support, network security, wireless networking, business telephone systems, VoIP (voice over IP), and cctv / video surveillance systems. CompStar is the Technology Division of Direct Line Communications, headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana.
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