What are the issues that need to be addressed when inheriting an older computer?

Question

I'm not sure how old this thing will be, but it's my mom's current computer, and next week when I'm home for T-day I will get it and bring it home. I would guess it's only a few years old, so it probably has XP on it and a decent amount of space. I want to clean up the HD and make this computer as new-seeming as possible. If she does not have the original disks for XP how can I reformat or whatever else needs to be done? What else should I do with an older computer like this?

Answer 1

I would highly suggest reformatting it. Also it probably has like 256 or 512 MB of RAM which could use upgrading to at least 1 GB.

Answer 2

There a lot of "If" here. First get the computer so you know what you have (Brand, Model, Hardware, etc.). Once you know what you have you may get better answers. Old computers did have backup software specific to the computer. If, it still have this, I would do a clean sweep to know what I have as far as software. Then I would delete what crap and do a System tune-up, deleting .dll and clean up the Registry. Then I would see what RAM and other upgrades are available and max those.
Here some good free utilities. Just because they free not mean you need everything. Just book mark and use as you need. Many are simple and not HDD or Systems hogs. Read what they do and how they work;
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx

Answer 3

if its a brand name computer like HP or DELL you can call their tech. suport and they can send you a Back up CD, also make sure to buy a new HD, i recommend a 250 GB- $ 70 and make sure to get a 1gb stick of ram, try to find out what type it is, either ddr or ddr2,-the way to find out, just simply take of the side case on your computer( make sure comps off) locate the memory sticks, should be green rectangles and take them out and look at the small sticker on them and it should tell ya. GOOD LUCK!