Upgrading for Bug Fixes

Many computer problems are caused by bugs in the operating system, typically some sort of incompatibility between Windows and a particular piece of hardware or software. That's why, if you have a problem you can't track down, it's always a good idea to consult the Microsoft Knowledge Base, a huge database of official Microsoft technical issues. You can search the Knowledge Base at the Microsoft Help and Support Web site (support.microsoft.com).

When Microsoft recognizes a problem involving Windows, the company more often than not tries to fix the problem. The fix might be in the form of a downloadable software patch (typically referred to in a Knowledge Base article) or it might come in a newer version of the operating system. This is one very good reason to upgrade your version of Windows.

caution

If you're out on the Web you might find Registry hack utilities that will, when launched, automatically modify your Registry for you. (A lot of these hacks that change Registry settings purport to speed up your PC's performance.) Although most of these hacks are legitimate, as with any changes to the Registry, the changes they make are immediate and can have all manner of unforeseen consequences.

Here's the thing. Windows 98 was more reliable than Windows 95. Windows 98 Second Edition was more reliable than the first edition of Windows 98. And Windows XP is much more reliable than any previous version of Windows. So if you're experiencing a lot of Windows-related problems, the easiest fix is to upgrade to Windows XP. No questions about it.

Not that Windows XP is perfect, of course. Microsoft continues to fix known bugs in XP, almost on a weekly basis. Use Windows Update (Start, All Programs, Windows Update) to go online and grab the latest bug fixes and patches. Even better, download Windows XP Service Pack 1 (and any subsequent service packs), which bundles all previous updates into a single big update. See Chapter 17, "Opening New Windows: Upgrading to Windows XP," for more information.