new XP or new PC

newnhak

Hi

Ok - first an admission. I have known i had a illegitimate copy of XP for a bit that my ex put on. But I have been living with it because I have had so many other things to deal with that the PC has been bottom of my to do list. However life is getting more and more difficult because of not being able to download any updates. The latest one is that I have lost messenger and cant reinstall.

So I need to sort the PC out - but before I do i would like advice on my PC. It is quite old (except for the monitor) and so i am wondering if it would be worth replacing rather than buying a copy of XP (which will cost me £80 ish?). I am presuming it wouldnt run Vista.

I know a PC will be more but I dont want to fork out for XP only to find i have to replace the rest in a few months.

So has anyone any good advice on what to consider such as
-spec of my PC (I cant remember how to find this out and I wouldnt know what was good)
-cost of a new PC (guess i could get away with a new base unit)

Any help gratefully received

Thanks

K.

timbim_2

You could always try Ubuntu. Free operating system with free programs that do almost everything windows can. That way you don't spend any money for now, and get some more milage out of the capital investment.

newnhak

Timbim - thanks for your reply. I am not very clues up on these things so I have a xouple of questions

how easy would it be to install this and use all my standard stuff - e.g.
msn - messenger etc
set up of virgin broadband
use of webcam

I have always been put off using ubuntu because i have been told it would be more difficult to do stuff such as installing drivers

Also I have a partitioned hard-drive with all my pics etc on D drive. would i still be able to access these?

Thanks

K

timbim_2

Drivers are not an issue, unless you have a particualrly good graphics card or other highly exotic hardware, Ubuntu is incredibly good at using generic drivers to maximum effect. Installing programs is incredibly simple, you simply select the one you want from a list, recovered from the repositries online, and then click install. How is your internet set up? If it's via a router and ethernet cable, then it will work without you having to do anything. Webcams may be more of an issue. It has an IM client built in, which can interface with windows live messsenger. You can mount internal volumes, but it can be a little tricky sometimes. Look at the forums at ubuntu, they really do have all the answers!

DCFC79

Well theres an equivalent of msn for use with ubuntu and its called pidgin but theres a few others though, im sure you could find an answer about the web cam if you search google for ubuntu drivers for your web cam

timbim_2

Might even work off a generic driver, worth a try booting off a liveCD and testing it.

jdan9

I would say it depends on how much you use the computer - if you use it heavily, you will probably be best investing in a new machine if it's fairly old. If you're the sort of person who just checks their emails a few times a week, you could probably just get a new XP.

newnhak

I use it more than a few times a week. But how much is a decent (ish!) new PC going to cost?

jdan9

I haven't been in the market for a new PC for a while, but a quick look at pc world suggests you can get fairly decent machines for £300-400. You'd be best going into a store and discussing your requirements.

If you go to PC world, beware the hard sell and the extended warranties!

asininity

Ubuntu will resurrect the old computer. Its easier to install than windows xp is. You really should be alright if its old as linux really only has problems with newer hardware. All the software is free and you dont need to worry about security with it.

Free is cheaper than buying a new computer and it costs nothing to see with the LiveCD plus we're here to help if you need it.

Marty_J

I'd definitely give Ubuntu a try. It should be pretty easy to dual boot it with Windows so you can try it out for awhile.