Someone gave me their old computer as a gift. It's a Compaq Presario that used to have Windows `95 before they removed it. Now it has nothing except a dos prompt. There's no homepage or start menu. It has a Pentium (1) processor. I was considering installing a newer version of Windows to use it for offline purposes only. I'm not sure if I would need a startup disc in order to install anything.
2007-06-11 05:59:14 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Most likely the specs on it are not good enough to run XP properly so I would recommend Windows 2000 or 98 SE. Most likely yes you're going to need a Windows 98 boot floppy regardless of which Windows you plan to attempt to put on it.
This is if you decide to keep it. I wouldn't.
2007-06-11 06:04:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Its not worth keeping unless you have kids that like to play older video games. That old of a computer will not accept any operating system past Windows 98 which is no longer supported by Microsoft, most software now requires at least a Pentium 3 processor and 256MB of RAM. So it would be best to get rid of it and buy a newer system.
You would need a windows 95/98 boot disk, a windows 95or 98 installation CD, the CD key, and all of the drivers for the motherboard, sound card, etc.
2007-06-11 13:07:07 · answer #2 · answered by Bill S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an old computer that was given to me and it turns out that it is more of a headache than anything. I would advise you to consider how much memory you have available for your computer before installing a newer version of windows. It takes a lot of memory to install a newer version.
2007-06-11 13:09:22 · answer #3 · answered by shadow6741 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are too heavy for paperweights, but they still make good doorstops! Seriously, you can get a Pentium 3 off of Craigslist with monitor, keyboard, and mouse for under $75. If your time is worth ANYTHING to you, for God's sake LOSE the Pentium 1.
2007-06-11 13:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by dogpoop 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can still use the computer as a file server, or set it up to receive mail. When I was starting robotics, I hacked the LPT printer ports to run switches and motors to see how they worked (without fear of damaging my main computer). Reinstall Win95?~well not if you already have the software. Else finding a linux distribution(or variation) is probably the best route, if you have the time.
2007-06-11 13:28:07 · answer #5 · answered by plainsight101 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your better off trying to sell it because even if it had a os then it would run slow as a ...yeah..but basicly it probably wouldn't beable to run windows xp with a proc that slow and if your gona use it for internet i would say just get a new one some
2007-06-11 13:06:52 · answer #6 · answered by John 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This PC is barely better than a 486.
In my opinion it's a dinosaur and to old to be of any real value other than a realy large cd player.
Avatarxz
d:o)
2007-06-11 13:10:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋