RE: XP and the older computer

From: SlowJet (SlowJet_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 07/31/04 

Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2004 14:33:02 -0700

Hi James, :)

  I wouldn’t do that if I were you. :)

I would wait a month and get a full retail version Win XP PRO with the soon to be released Service Pack 2 included (probably labeled as such). You will be glade you did in the long run as it will install everything at once. You can reformat the hard drive with the newest NTFS version and use a better cluster size at install time by deleting the current partition.
Also you won’t need an older CD of NT around.
Lastly, when that PC breaks you can get a new one and use the full copy on it.
Plus you will have all the safety and performance goodies right from the start for the kids including the new firewall, popup blocker, and security control center.

In the mean time check if the P/C motherboard can use more memory or larger memory chips and go up to 512 MB min.

Run the compatibility checker as mentioned. I ran it on a wk2 P/C recently and it checked and said good in less time that to download it.

Lastly, take the cover off and clean it up really good. Including fan blades, especially any tiny fans.
You might even want to replace the fans with newer quite and longer running types.
Check cable for wear and tear and replace. Get a new disk drive if you can afford it. 40 or 80 GB would be just right.

After installing the disk space used will approach 4 GB and grow for some time.
So add programs and data, music, pix, video, backups, etc, the new disk will be worth it.

Good Luck and happy Xp, :)
SJ

"James D" wrote:

> I have recently acquired an older computer which I plan on using for a
> second computer for my kids. It came with Windows NT Workstation installed
> on it. I would like to purchase a copy of Windows XP and install that on it.
> The POST screen says it's an AMD Duron 600MHz but within Windows NT the
> properties screen says "x86 Family 6 Model 3 Stepping 0" which should I
> believe, and will XP work on this computer? By the way, it has 256 MB of
> RAM.
>
>
>

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