Re: Installing XP on Older Computer
- From: Wolf Kirchmeir <wolfekir@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2006 13:59:39 -0500
Kevin Turcotte wrote:
I just checked out the BIOS, it's a Pentium 2, running at 300 MHZ, 64 MB RAM. Would he maybe be better off installing Windows 98? What are the requirements for that, and where can you get a copy now? Personally, I recommended just purchasing a whole new computer for $300-$400, but he doesn't really want to spend that.
Yes, Win98 would be a better choice for that old machine. Lots of people have the Win98 install disk kicking around. (I have one, hanging on to it "just in case". Silly, I know, esp. since I never liked Win98.) If all he wants is e-mail, word-processing, and a few games, it will do fine. IIRC, there's a Mozilla available for Win98, a better bet than the IE that comes with Win98. Won't find drivers for newer printers, though, and printers as old as that machine are not likely to be functional. May have trouble finding current AV and firewalls that work with Win98, too. So, on balance, it's not a good idea to try to make the old hardware functional, IMO.
If your friend doesn't want to spend the bucks on a new machine, he might spring for a two or three year old 486 or box, should be running at 1GHz or close to it, with 256MB RAM or better, and a 40GB HDD or better. Should cost $150 or less including monitor - if the seller wants more tell him (politely) to go dream his dreams somewhere else. XP will run OK on such a box. (I'm running Win2K on a similar box, SP4 plus all updates and patches).
HTH
.
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- Re: Installing XP on Older Computer
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