Sorry I also have another question.
My computer is windows me and I want to update it. I have been looking through some of the new ones and am getting a bit confused. Do you have any information about the system requirements for windows xp, or the new Vista? I would also need an office programme as well.

I have a Amd duron processor 800 mhz. A 96.0 mb RAM ( I think). I don't already have word or excel ( as I have Lotus smartuite) But I want to update. Can you give me an honest answer as whether this computer can be updated or is it not large enough? It is only 6 years old and I would like to try and keep it but realistically will do what is necessary.
If it is OK to keep would I need to uninstall everything? and then reinstall the new programmes. Sorry for such a long question.

Hi,

We also need to now how much Hard Drive space you have. I can't recall how to use WinME anymore, as its been so long since I've used it but if its similar to WinXP, to check your RAM, right-click on "My Computer" and click "Properties". It may give you the screen with your System info on, including RAM.

If that option is not the same in WinME, disregard what I said there

From Microsoft website:

Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Professional

•PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233 MHz minimum required (single or dual processor system);* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
•128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
•1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space*
•Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
•CD-ROM or DVD drive
•Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

Additional Items or Services Required to Use Certain Windows XP Features
•For Internet access:
•Some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft .NET Passport account, and payment of a separate fee to a service provider; local and/or long-distance telephone toll charges may apply
•14.4 kilobits per second (Kbps) or higher-speed modem

Here's What You Need to Use Windows Vista
•Vista Capable:
800 MHz Processor
512 MB RAM
DirectX 9 capable
20 GB HDD with 15GB free

•Vista Premium
1 GHz Processor
1 GB RAM
DirectX 9 capable
40 GB HDD with 15 GB free

Both with :
•Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video adapter and monitor
•CD-ROM or DVD drive
•Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device

• For XP, you just need more RAM and maybe more hard-drive space, as I don't know how much of it you have.

• For Vista, you would need more CPU speed and RAM preferentially.

Hope that answers your question

Can you give me an honest answer as whether this computer can be updated or is it not large enough? It is only 6 years old and I would like to try and keep it but realistically will do what is necessary.

If you want to update to XP, I would increase your RAM.
For Vista, I would buy a new computer if I was you.

The RAM requirements and CPU requirements listed are bare minimums and in daily usage you'll discover these to be bottlenecks and slow your computer down, especially if you're multi-tasking and even worse if its imaging/videoing etc your doing.

Either way I couldn't answer that question fro you, its your choice if you want to keep it. My personal opinion and its just that is, I've just upgraded from an AMD Duron 1300MHz and it makes a world of a difference to use. They are more complex, less stable and more power hungry as well, but its still better than the sluggish performance of my older comp. I would say if you upgrade now, you can get Vista and have that system for at least another 4 years, well and dry. You can still get XP on this PC you have by just adding more RAM and later upgrade and get Vista f thats what you want. Personally, I'm not too fond of Vista yet but do like the XP Professional from the Windows lineup.

If it is OK to keep would I need to uninstall everything? and then reinstall the new programmes. Sorry for such a long question.

Well, you can transfer your files/folders onto another HDD or computer, but programs do not transfer over as "run-nable". They are embedded into the registry and when you delete the Operating System, they will also go I'm afraid, requiring another installation.

Thank you for all that info.
My system is
800 mhz processor
96.0 mb RAM
hard drive (c drive?) 36.2GB
I could not find much info about the modem but max speed 115200???
Appreciate your help it is a bit deep for me.
Thanks Claire
Do you think XP would be ok with this?

Originally Posted by clairem

Thank you for all that info.
My system is
800 mhz processor
96.0 mb RAM
hard drive (c drive?) 36.2GB
I could not find much info about the modem but max speed 115200???
Appreciate your help it is a bit deep for me.
Thanks Claire
Do you think XP would be ok with this?

Certainly ... just upgrade your RAM first to be better off.
You have 128MB of RAM installed but your system only shows 96MB due to 32MB being shared for Graphics/Video.

How on earth do you know that? I did purchase it with the knowledge that it was 128mb RAM but on the system it said 96mb - I thought that they had cheated me!
What is the best way to update the RAM?
Thanks again you are a lifesaver!!
Claire

Hi Clairem,

The most reliable way to upgrade your RAM is to remove the 128MB RAM module and then buy a new 512MB module. Because your 800MHz processor is towards the lower limit of what Windows XP can run on, you need to put more than the minimum amount of RAM in to compensate for it. Fitting 512MB RAM would give it enough of a boost. You'll still have 32MB shared for the on-board graphics card so, in reality, Windows will have 480MB that it can use. That will be fine.

If you are comfortable with opening up the PC case and taking out the old memory card(s), then it's a pretty straightforward process. Buy a single 512MB PC133 memory module, open the PC case, take out the old memory module(s), replace them with the new ones. However, as simple as that may sound, you do need to take precautions against damaging any of the sensitive components inside your PC by transferring static electricity from your body, clothes, etc into the PC. They don't like that! Dan Penny has written an article about how to prevent Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) in the Computer Help Articles section of the forum.

As a rough guide, expect to pay £65-£70 including delivery and VAT for the memory.

If you are in Sussex, Surrey or Hampshire, we could fit the memory for you for £25.

Windows XP Home Edition is around £200 in PC World. We sell it for about £80 when it is sold with other hardware, e.g. memory.

Office 2003 Basic Edition is somewhere around £200-£250 in PC World as well. We sell that for around £150 when it is sold with hardware. However, I'd say that you're probably best off NOT buying Office 2003 as it will run quite slow on your PC. Personally, I would recommend going for the older version, which is Office XP. We have some pretty good versions of this called Office XP Small Business Edition, which were about £300 a few years ago and we sell used versions (completely legal) for around £60 with hardware.

After you've upgraded your PC and found the joys of having a faster PC that isn't running Windows ME, you'll probably want to ditch your dial-up Internet and sign up for broadband as well. That makes a HUGE difference to how fast the Internet is.

When buying software, be very careful about the temptation to buy cheap copies on Internet auction sites. If they are much cheaper than the guide prices that I've given above, then they are almost certainly illegal copies. Unfortunately, there's a lot of that going on these days and the authorities are cracking down on it and sending people to prison!

Hope that helps

Also, forgot to say that your hard disk size should be fine. It sounds like you haven't got much installed onto the PC and haven't been using it to save thousands of photos or music files or anything like that so you should have more than enough free space.

Thanks for all your advice. I would have to get someone to do that for me. You have given me lots to think about.
Thanks again.
Claire

Claire, you're very welcome

I'd check to see what the max RAM your motherboard supports though. Some older mobos running at 800MHz don't take single 512MB RAM sticks but will take 2 x 256MB. So be careful.