Should I upgrade my operating system or get a new computer?

Question

I have a Dell PC- dimensions desktop 8100. The computer itself is in pretty good condition but it's running on windows ME edition which I beleive is the reason it's freezing up, blue screens, program errors, etc. I just recently wiped the hard drive and reinstalled windows. I think I'd like to upgrade my operating system but then I start to think that I'd also like a dvd drive (which this pc doesnt have) and I'm also concerned that a new operating system won't run very well on an older computer. Should I just get an upgrade (windows xp, etc) or should I wait and save enough money for a new computer?

Processor: Intel(R) Pentium (R) 4 CPU
RAM: 256.0
Harddrive: 37.2 GB, 18.1 used, 19.1 free

I got it in 2001, so it's 5 years old.

My concern is the inconvenince of it freezing up and security issues. I am a graphic designer so I need a computer that works. It doesnt have to be the fastest or best computer around but I need to be able to use the internet, etc. Microsoft has disabled updates for Windows ME, I can't run the new internet explorer, etc etc.

I have an ibook but there are a lot of things I can't do on it. (for example, watch videos on MSNBC because it is not compatible).

Answer 1

The dell model numbers don't really mean anything. It would be helpful if you posted your computer's specs (what kind/speed of processor, amount of RAM, size of hard drive, etc).

If it came with winME, chances are it's pretty old. You should probable start saving up for a new one.

If you could get your hands on a copy of Windows 2000, that would improve your computer's performance and stability. It's probably too old for XP, though. I wouldn't pay for Windows 2000 at this point, though, so if you don't know how/where to get it from otherwise, don't bother.

Answer 2

A pentium 4 with 256 RAM is good enough to run WinXP. The bare minimum requirements for WinXP is a 300mhz with 64 RAM. Although that isn't recommended. That should give you a comparison on where you are at. If you have the cash to buy a new computer then that would be best, but if you don't want to right now. A good recommendation is to add some more memory at least 256 more. That should get you by with XP until you are ready to purchase new.

If you wait till after the new year to purchase a new PC. Windows Vista (Microsoft's new Operating System) is coming out and will be install on new PC's. So, you could forget about XP all together. I hope that answers your question.

Answer 3

The answer depends on if the computer does what you want it to do. Most people buy really fast and powerful computers to surf the Internet and send and receive email. Just about any computer that can run any version of Windows is able to do that.

Upgrading to XP, is an option, but I wouldn't if your computer doesn't have a CPU frequency of 500MHz or higher, and 512 megabytes of RAM. XP will run with less on both, but not very fast, also remember, Windows programs are supposed to have five year support from Microsoft, and for XP the time is running out.
The new and soon available Windows Vista, will require a pretty modern computer, with lots of RAM and video memory to run good.

If your computer does all you want it to, then I would wait for awhile and then buy a new and more modern one.

Answer 4

This is actually not too bad of a little computer. There are a couple of things that I would recommend you to do. First, definitely get rid of Windoze ME, that is the worst operating system that Microsoft every produced, for sure your hang-ups are contributed to by it. Buy the XP home edition; you can get the upgrade for less than $100. If you have a clean hard drive just borrow someone’s older operating system disk if you don’t have a copy of ME cause it will ask you for a verifying product, this will save you $40 or $50 on not having to get a full copy.

I would purchase another stick of RAM as your PC only comes standard with 128 meg. XP will run much better on at least 256. Check the website I give you to make sure you get the correct memory. You can get that for $30 or $40.

Download any drivers, after you get done loading the operating system from the following website. If you don’t know how to do this get someone that knows to help, it’s very easy.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/product_support/en/product_support_central?

Go to http://www.newegg.com/index.asp?refer=Overtur3&CMP=KNC-0vertur3&ATT=newegg and check out the prices. I have dealt with this company for over 8 years and have never been unhappy with their prices or their service.

One after thought. If your ME OS installation "disk" is on your hard drive and you want to get rid of it you will need to repartition your hardrive and create just one partition to put your new OS on.

Good luck

Answer 5

Just get a new system. The older a system gets the more problems it will have. ME is a good OS and I won't bash it but what you should really do is wait a few more months and buy a system that has Windows Vista on it (Thats the new OS that is coming out BTW)

Changing the OS won't help much because your system is created to run with ME so it will have loads of conflicts if you change it.

You can of course but its not a great idea.

Answer 6

If you just want your system to function, there is no need to buy a new on. If you uprade to Windows XP, you will need to buy at lest 512MB RAM,

TwinMOS 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 $54.00
MS WIN XP Media W/SP2b, w/ Coupon for Vista $110.00
Silver Pioneer 16X DVD Writer/Burner $37.00
DVD Playing Software $10.00

You can install the above your self, I would suggest you buy a
second Hard Drive and use it for your data only, the old one
would be for the operating system and all install software and drivers.

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
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http://www.hardwareanalysis.com
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http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/?ref=Googlebspeed
http://pcperformancetools.com/recovermyfiles.htm

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Answer 7

that's a very valid question. main reasons are: 1) new applications needing more power (video editing, java online apps, games), 2) old OS are no longer maintained, and whatever holes they had are not fixed, so they are a security issue *online*. these reason may not be compelling to you because you don't use new applications, or because you don't go online (or when you do you hide behind good protection and are careful). In which case you can spend your money on better things than IT supplies. Note that point 2 is one of the drivers of linux adoption: it is a new OS that runs fine on old hardware, but is maintained and safe (and free).

Answer 8

Windows ME was known for its freezing up. It was a really bad operating system.


Upgrading your Operating System is something you could try but if you get another computer, id get a Mac

Answer 9

you have to check to make sure your pc is compatible with XP. first of all check the little sticker on the front of the case and see what it is built for. ex "Deisgned for Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, 98, etc."

Answer 10

how old is the computer? because it might be cheaper to get a new computer with the OS preloaded. Simply because it might not have the memory or hard drive space to run a newer os