i have a load of laptops that are 128mb ram and 10gb, I want to pay cheap money for an operating software and was wondering which software is the best and the cheapest, and im not interested in linux
2007-09-01 09:09:20 · 10 answers · asked by irish dubliner 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Ok, if you are not interested in a proven and free os, go to fleamarkets and ry to buy up all the windows 98 disks you can find!
2007-09-01 09:14:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Avoiding Windows 98 is a good idea but why not Linux? Puppy Linux would be your best solution for that PC. If you really don't want Linux but want a cheap operating system here are some tips.
The bad news is the latest versions of BSD may be too resource hungry (perhaps you could try an old version). ReactOS might appeal but its only in alpha. Your PC wouldn't meet the requirements of the latest Solaris. Haiku is too technical. SkyOS is okay but costs around £20.
The good news is FreeDOS will definitely work but you probably want a graphical user interface (GUI). Syllable and MenuetOS both have a GUI and could be just what you're looking for. Maybe try ArOS too. FreeOS is a good website but its currently unavailable so maybe look at OSNews.
2007-09-01 09:24:28 · answer #2 · answered by Darrell 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not interested in Linux? What the...
Well, if you don't want Linux, then you most likely want a Windows-based one. 128 MB is a little tight, but XP can still run on it. XP still goes for a lot on eBay, though. Here is the cheapest guaranteed price I could find:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Microsoft-Windows-XP-Home-Full-SP2-w-Legal-COA_W0QQitemZ260154196950QQihZ016QQcategoryZ41888QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Windows 2000, which is just slightly older than Windows XP, might also be a good bet. It is not very popular nowadays, but it still receives security updates from Microsoft. Unfortunately, it seems to cost even more than XP.
The last Windows operating system I could possibly recommend is Windows NT 4. It is no longer supported by Microsoft, is not very user friendly, is virtually useless for games, but is still stable. NT 4 is very cheap:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Windows-NT-Workstation-4-0_W0QQitemZ190146397307QQihZ009QQcategoryZ41886QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Of course, you could also get Windows 98 or ME, but I hardly consider those "good" operating systems. The choice, though, is up to you.
One final note: Legally you must either purchase a Volume License key, or buy multiple copies of Windows if you are going to install them on more than one computer. Your best bet, then, would be to install whatever version of Windows came with the laptop, and use the product key off the laptop, if it is still on it.
2007-09-01 13:05:59 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the previous responder that Windows 98SE is the safest bet. Another previous responder also reminded that you that Windows 98SE is not supported by Microsoft and you won't be able to download ANY patches for it.
You should consider Linux. It runs better than Windows on older hardware. You can load just what you want to run (rather than letting Microsoft load everything and having it sit there on your hard drive).
2007-09-01 09:21:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you might want to consider purchasing the original OEM OS discs from the company that put out the computer.
I have done that with out a problem for several Compaq's and HP's.
the 'restore' discs cost me a nominal amount of monies and shipping. You will need the model number and serial number of the machine that you need the disks for. Good luck
Note: the OEM OS disks have the needed drivers on them too. and you get to avoid that whole hassle, and we all know how fun drivers are.
2007-09-01 09:42:22 · answer #5 · answered by mhp_wizo_93_418 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ruling out linux, Windows 98se is your best option. Check eBay.
Please look at http://www.PuppyLinux.org/
2007-09-01 09:18:36 · answer #6 · answered by acklan 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Windows Vista is probley pretty good. But it's expensive. If thats what your meaning. Also try Ebay for Windows 98..
2007-09-01 09:17:29 · answer #7 · answered by Lazewski 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Try this O/S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfoBIU9hjGY
2007-09-01 23:07:23 · answer #8 · answered by Siu02rk 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you be lucky to get anything to work .....
98SE if you can find them but as support has finished you cannot update them so they'll be full of security risks...
good luck!!!!!!!!!
2007-09-01 09:20:36 · answer #9 · answered by red rose 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
you can download windows xp with the serial keys and stuff on torrent sites like mininova and demonoid for free.
2007-09-01 09:20:12 · answer #10 · answered by eddie 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋