reddythebaron

Current home computer is P3 700 with 128mb of RAM running windows ME. It's about 3.5 years old. Slow when doing anything. Bought from old employer so no disks to reload windows. All kinds of software issues. Fatal errors must close etc. mostly with Internet Explorer and outlook. Anyone want to weigh in on whether I should crash it, buy 512 RAM and buy XP home? Does that create any problems after? I think the hardware is ok? Or should I just buy a new computer. I'd really rather not after having just bought my AXIM for $$$ reasons.

Thank you.

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Axim X3 400 MHz
All the way up in Canada
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Jogga

Quote:

Originally posted by reddythebaron Current home computer is P3 700 with 128mb of RAM running windows ME. It's about 3.5 years old. Slow when doing anything. Bought from old employer so no disks to reload windows. All kinds of software issues. Fatal errors must close etc. mostly with Internet Explorer and outlook. Anyone want to weigh in on whether I should crash it, buy 512 RAM and buy XP home? Does that create any problems after? I think the hardware is ok? Or should I just buy a new computer. I'd really rather not after having just bought my AXIM for $$$ reasons. Thank you.

Might be worth trying a couple of system utilities to see if you can resolve the crash issues. Try Tweak or Norton, I find both pretty good for cleaning the registry and old cr@p that slows the system down and it's cheaper than buying a new pc.

In the UK you can buy second hand (legal) copies of the Operating system, so if you need to go for a complete rebuild it might be another option.

Having aid all of that, there's nothing like having a new toy to play with. Pc are better than ever and XP is exceptional (I run it at home) a mid-range pc with 512mb of RAM from Dell can be got for around £400 (incl RAM upgrade), bound to be cheaper in the States. Dell Dimension 2400 comes with XP, 2.6Ghz processor, 80.0 Gb hard drive and a flat panel monitor - less than £400 on sale

I guess it depends on how many $'s you have spare. Try the utility route first, you may be able to borrow a copy and run from the disc to see if it does the trick! Please note, I am not advocating software piracy.

HTH
Jogga

Magicmonger

Try to save what you got for at least another year or two. Then purchase a new computer.

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Magicmonger

fremen

I think Windows ME is your main problem, It's the operating system Microsoft wants to forget, big mistake.

If you could get Windows 2000 or even Windows 98 SE, I think things would be alright for awhile after that. If you did want to get XP however, the ram for that type of motherboard is going to be quite expensive compared to the ram of newer motherboards. So perhaps over all it'd be more cost effective (even though it'd be more) to get a new computer.

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I wanted an Axim.
"The only way to live a good life is to act on your emotions"
I got an Axim.

jpmarth

Here is what I would do if I had your system and a lack of funds for a new one.

1) Ditch Win ME and find yourself a copy of Win98 SE. Not XP, as your system would be bogged down from its high demands. Save your needed files and programs to a CD or another HD (use a friends if necessary) and do a clean install by reformatting your HD.

2) Up your RAM to 512. RAM prices are pretty reasonable right now so I would get the fastest memory your mobo can handle.

3) Save your system some processing requirements by removing hardware you do not use. If you have a modem and network card, but only use the network card for broadband, take the other one out.

4) You can probably find a faster proc for your mobo at a cheap price. Old P3s are not very expensive. If you went to a "mom and pop" computer store they may have one for a steal.

Carefull of how much you spend though. Jogga has a point that you can get a basic system from Dell for cheap when they have a good sale. It might be possible to buy a whole new system for only $100 more than all the upgrades would cost you.

micahlegg

Why not build a computer? you can build one for dirt cheap now. Memory is very expencive latly for some reason. I used to have bought 512mb ddr for 45$, now its 60 at the lowest on ebay.

I highly recmmend building one, its very fun to do, and saves a load of money.

Never get a celery OPPS I mean celeron BTW. You will be very sorry in a few years.