replace old computer?

[Christinko]

need advice...

I have a working (albeit slow) 6-year-old computer (with XP) that does Everything I want it to (albeit slowly).

Should I just breakdown and get a laptop with a docking station and replace the old box (I like my screen/keyboard/mouse)?

I do not want Vista, but that seems to be the only game in town. Should I wait till a new game comes around?

[♥ COVID-19♥]

There are some computer manufacturers -- Dell being one of them -- that will still pre - install XP on a new system.

[Chicago Jake]

You might be able to give your old machine a new lease on life by maxing out it's memory. Surf over to this site:

www.crucial.com/

and click on "scan my system." It will tell you how much memory you have, and how much you can upgrade to. If you've never upgraded, odds are you can double or triple what you have. That will speed up your operations quite a bit......Jake

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Cleaning up detritus from the hard drive can also help speed things up a bit; this is where Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter comes in handy.

[Ardbeg... innit]

bukkakeboy said:

There are some computer manufacturers -- Dell being one of them -- that will still pre - install XP on a new system.

Act quickly

[♥ COVID-19♥]

I think they are only selling them for the next couple of months, at which point, XP is officially retired.

[Ardbeg... innit]

... off to the old OS home

[Christinko]

Thank you, gentlemen!

BTW--I do do disk cleanup and defrag every week...it does help. But my hard drive is SO fragmented that the defrag isn't enough and it always thinks it needs to be defragged even after I do a defrag.

So what you all are saying is that a 6-year-old computer that still works could last a couple years more and is not likely to surprise me and die shortly? I agree that I likely need more memory--will check out that option too.

Thanks again!

[♥ COVID-19♥]

The Blue Screen Retreat is not a home, it's a retirement community.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Based on my experience, I may be visiting the BS Retreat for some time to come, rather than wandering back into the Sunny Vista Trailer Park

[Ardbeg... innit]

Chris, nothing says you cant have multiple defrags per session ;D .. also, what are you using to defrag (be aware that Windows Defragger doesnt count)

[Christinko]

Please educate me oh wise one. I've been using the Windows Defragger.

Multiples--been waiting for those for years.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

bornagaindruid said:

Based on my experience, I may be visiting the BS Retreat for some time to come, rather than wandering back into the Sunny Vista Trailer Park

Yes, but in your case, BS wouldn't stand for Blue Screen.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

If you Google Defrag Tool, you should be able to find other commercially available utilities.

The other possible reason for the slowdown on your system could be hard drive thrashing -- it may be using free space on the hard drive for virtual memory. If you're running out of hard drive space, there's less room available for virtual memory usage -- as a result, it'll slow down.

Increasing the RAM *could* help in that circumstance.

[Chicago Jake]

bukkakeboy said:

If you Google Defrag Tool, you should be able to find other commercially available utilities.

The other possible reason for the slowdown on your system could be hard drive thrashing -- it may be using free space on the hard drive for virtual memory. If you're running out of hard drive space, there's less room available for virtual memory usage -- as a result, it'll slow down.

Increasing the RAM *could* help in that circumstance.

Yes, and adding a second hard drive would help too. They are quite cheap nowadays. That and extra RAM and you'll think you have a new computer.

Providing your power supply doesn't frazzle out.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

admin said:

Yes, and adding a second hard drive would help too.

Just so long as it's not a Maxtor, apparently ...

[Ardbeg... innit]

Generously spray RAID on it if you do

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Got any used hard drives you might want to sell The Stinkinator at a special price?

[Ardbeg... innit]

Do I ever, I have a 1Tb drive, with just a minor little clicking noise. If you can live with that, I'll give it to you cheap, its past the break in period, and you can keep all the data on it

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Throw in a set of steak knives and you may have a taker.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Ginzu-ndheit

Edited: Actually I have an old box cutter with a rusty blade that Id be willing to part with for the deal

[♥ COVID-19♥]

What and rob you of the only means by which you have to shave? I couldn't do that ...

[Ardbeg... innit]

down there

[♥ COVID-19♥]

You tell 'em, Rusty.

[Ardbeg... innit]

Its done some great vasectomies over the years

[♥ COVID-19♥]

I guess that would explain the way your daughter celebrated Valentine's Day.

[Ardbeg... innit]

I dont think Ive mentioned that she has applied for grad school at NYU, perhaps I should introduce her to you

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Just take her to the local post office and show her my picture on the wall.

[Tex]

Checking out the msconfig startup programs might be worthwhile. Sometimes there is a bunch of shit running in the background that you don't need that is slowing you down.

[Exildo Wonsetler Briggs III]

Chris, there are a couple of utilities you should have to keep your computer humming. First, get a copy of FreeRAM XP Pro. This is a great little utility that will free up memory that some programs don't automatically give back to your computer when they exit. Also, like others suggested, make sure you max out the RAM you have on your computer.

Additionally, I'd also suggest getting a copy of Startup Cop Pro. It lets you decide what programs you want to load at startup and it gives you information about each so you can decide if the program is needed or not. Find it at PCMAG.com.

Another cool program is TaskPower that also does much the same as Startup Cop, but gives even more information. There is a version 3 for Vista, but you don't need that.

...........Bob