@Jayster
From my stand point it’s a security issue.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet
I think you would be hard pressed to find a fuel injection system for a stock model A.
Windows runs on an internal database. They call it the registry. Windows has dependencies. When loading anything new, including updates it can trigger the need for dependencies. If the database becomes corrupted Windows no longer works, you have to start over. 2nd issue the need for new dependencies can trigger the computer to need a download of an updated program or Windows updates, this will lead to a message the servers are off line and you must update to a new OS. 3rd issue Security holes, there are issues that hackers have located that allow your computer to be accessed and taken over ( Owned ). This is what the Model A reference is. There is no active development and testing of OS’s that are End Of Life. They are ignored. Again in it’s days of being supported I watched Windows connect to the internet and 6 seconds later before anything could be downloaded to protect it, it was hacked. This means if someone owns your XP pc they could infect it, you move a file with your USB drive to your XP box and malware or a virus can be put on the USB drive designed to infiltrate your other systems. This is why it is impractical to view it as a “safe” system.
I tell you this as a PC Consultant, as the guy who once told the creator of one of the biggest antivurus companies in the world, his computer was malfunctioning due to a virus that was spreading it’s self every time he tried to "fix’ his problem.
I’m not telling you to spend money. You can, at this time download Windows 10 for free. You can download Linux for free. You will spend time to do so.
I can say that it may cost you a lot more if someone gets access to a major system in your life and takes control of your e-mail, logins to social media, bank accounts. The point is you can use current OS’s to minimize your risk. Most people don’t operate anything independently, they move files and that can lead to problems.
I will give you an example. I recently went on a trip. I was in an airport. All around me were people waiting for a plane and plugging there phones into “free” charging points. If I have the desire I could create a cable and install it inline with an outlet, it would consist of a small cheap computer. The act of you plugging in your phone means I could copy and access all of the content from that phone from my download of it and later probably get control of it remotely.
Protect yourself is what I’m advocating. You can do this through your time or by accruing something that is already set up to protect you. You may choose to pay for that.
I sound like I’m paranoid. It comes from having managed an ISP. In researching ways to share files I found some pretty interesting stuff. I can find services that claim who they have as customers, not 1 of them will guarantee the safety of your files. what they will say is they will guard your connection to them. They leave the security of checking your files for viruses and malware your responsibility on your PC. One other eye opening fact is there is no such thing as an open source Anti-Virus effort. The business of file sharing is a multibillion dollar business annually.
All of that was to answer #1
for Number 2 - Drivers are add on programs that give and OS a new ability, For instance natively Windows XP can not access a USB port. When XP was created there was no such thing as a USB port. Drivers are added into the OS to allow the use of USB.
In your case there are files or “drivers” that allow the OS to use the graphics card. XP was EOL in 2014. There are 10’s of thousands of companies that have come and gone in the life time of XP. If your PC has a piece of hardware from one of them or you wish to add something from one of them, it’s likely they didn’t keep making software, drivers or upgrades after they went out of business. All of which could circle back to inadvertently disabling the OS.
So I will put it this way - the least expensive option Download the latest Ubuntu -LTS, then sit down and learn about securing that OS, Once that is complete download and install the Maslow software.
The most expensive solution as some would see it. Go buy a New Mac. It will most likely give you 5 years of service before it will no longer be fully supported. What you will get with this, 1 access to current to bleeding edge mainstream technology. 2 A system designed to do most of security work for you. 3 Less direct control of your information.
As presented it can sound negative. I can say this - my father spent time and money following me on my journey to know and use computers. He was able to run Windows and a warehouse for a major business. He constantly spent a fraction of his time maintaining Windows. He constantly needed outside help to keep thins running - An IT guy.
12 years before my mother passed she got a Mac. She got a separate bank account to use on the internet. She used facebook, ebay, itunes and an Ipod. She never had to get an outside IT guy. She did buy a better Mac when hers got old. On a Mac she was able to do things my father wasn’t.
Choose what works best for you.
I will point out - Windows 10 is free to download, it will request a license. At this time Windows is not enforcing the entry of a license. You can find lots of information about this on line.
I hope this was helpful to you
Thank you
