October 2002
Volume 6, Issue 1
Inside this Issue...
Social Science Computing Laboratory
Faculty of Social Science
Room 1228, Social Science Centre
The University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5C2
E-mail: ssts@uwo.ca
Web: www.ssc.uwo.ca/ssnds
Phone: 519 661-2152
Managing Editor:
Ramona
Fudge
SSC Network Update
Windows XP on SSC Network
Ali Hammoud
Windows XP Professional is the supported operating system for new computers on the SSC Network. Windows XP is the latest Microsoft operating system and is more reliable than its predecessors. All SSC Network software and services available under Windows 95/98/Me/2000 are also available under Windows XP, with the exception of Netscape (see New E-mail Options). The newly supported e-mail client is Microsoft Outlook, and the web browser is Internet Explorer. SSCL has prepared Help Notes (located at www.ssc.uwo.ca/ssnds/helpnotes/) to introduce Windows XP and to help users migrate from Netscape to Internet Explorer and Microsoft Outlook.
If your students utilize the computers on the Network,
you may have to modify your lecture notes and assignments to correspond to
the new operating system.
While the installation of Windows XP Professional on new computers with a recommended configuration is a straight forward procedure, installing it on existing computers requires a complete reformat of the hard drive. All files that need to be preserved must be backed up. The files are restored to the hard drive after Windows XP is installed. Software applications must be re-installed and preferences reset after the upgrade to Windows XP. Thus, individual upgrades are both labour intensive and time consuming. SSCL recommends the following:
- If your current computer is in good running condition, there is no
need to upgrade to Windows XP.
- If you are getting a new computer for your office, please contact
SSCL before you purchase so we can discuss available alternatives. SSCL
can install Windows XP Professional and the latest software on your new
computer. Windows XP Home Edition, which comes preinstalled on some home
machines, will not work properly on the Network.
- You need a minimum hardware configuration consisting of a Pentium III processor, 256MB of RAM and a 20GB or larger hard drive to run Windows XP.
If you have questions about Windows XP, please call Ali at ext. 83597.