Replacement for 11 yr old Dell desktop

Eliza_2

Over the years I've upgraded the memory to maximum capacity, cleared out all unnecessary programs etc, done everything else everyone advises on here but think my desktop is really reaching the end of the road. It's temperamental, sometimes fast, sometimes painfully slow, sometimes just grinds to a halt. I have a laptop that's used for everyday stuff and sits in a corner of the kitchen diner, but the desktop in the study is used for more serious work related things, with its nice big screen and comfortable keyboard. I had thought of using the laptop in there with the old screen and keyboard, but by the time I've got usb adaptors for the screen/keyboard/mouse, and faffed around unplugging laptop etc each time, it seems a bit silly.

So I suppose I need a new box of tricks to sit on the floor - I can keep the old vdu and keyboard, nothing wrong with them. Is there any other way of upgrading the existing computer or would I be best to buy new. If new, what should I go for - as I say I don't want to pay for a package when I don't need screen/keyboard/mouse.

I use it for documents, email, browsing - all the usual mostly work related stuff, no gaming or other heavy use. So I'm sure something basic would be fine. I assume I can copy everything I need across from the old one to the new one, maybe via dvd.

If there was a way of keeping the other one going though, that would be my preference but I don't want to throw good money after bad. I hate to think of such an expensive item wearing out after just 11 years.

Thanks for any advice.

Liz

Donnie

11 years is old. Let's have a look at the specs. Install CCleaner, open the program and let us know what is written at the top of the GUI. Also, report the hard drive capacity.

spakkker

Dell don't do updating hardware very much and they used to use their own type power supply and motherboards so you would have to get a motherboard,cpu,ram and psu. Let us know what the current spec is please , model no. and operating system.
There are pc's on my local stuff for sale from £25 with fresh xp install, which will bring you into the 21st century.
vdu - there's a blast from the past !!
Do you really mean eleven years old?

edit .....must type faster!

gonzo127

11 years old wow to be honest you could probably keep it going but that will depend on the results of the above information.

if you have to buy new things there are a few ways of going about it, but the most you can expect to pay is about £300 for a low spec system (and to be honest if you have been going along fine with a 11 year old system anything about now will be faster)

and just to say yes you fill able to transfer all yoru files pretty easily however programs will have to reinstalled

DatabaseError

you might also find your old keyboard may have an AT adapter, which was superseded by ATX, then USB, so it may not work with a new machine.
Well done on 11 years, if it's always been good enough for your needs, I agree with Donnie that it probably just needs a thorough clean, maybe even a fresh installation of...er...whatever operating system you're using
Also worth checking the innards, maybe 11 years of dust build-up is to blame for some of your problems?

As spakker has already said, you don't have a reasonable upgrade path, either fix what you have or get another

Eliza_2

Yes, eleven years old. It's been fine, and maybe next time I turn it on it will be again. If I can upgrade it for £25 that would be amazing. On the other hand, I've almost persuaded myself to treat myself by buying something new - not very mse however. It would have to be interest free finance though probably. Especially as I have a brand new laptop downstairs (a mere 5 years old) so would be wasteful really.

Maybe secondhand or reconditioned?

Anyway, have to pop out to get some petrol for my lovely new campervan now (Y reg, the newest car I've ever had and full of modcons I didn't know existed and will probably never use)

I have cc already on the desktop so will send the info when I get back. Thanks for the help.

Liz

Percy1983

I would say aviod PC world like the plague, but they have recon's online at good prices and I know a few who are very happy. As mentioned there is deals about for around £300.00 which will quite a bit quicker so if you have the money why not splash out.

Donnie

Percy1983 wrote: »

I would say aviod PC world like the plague, but they have recon's online at good prices and I know a few who are very happy. As mentioned there is deals about for around £300.00 which will quite a bit quicker so if you have the money why not splash out.

Sorry, but that's just mad.

The OP can feel free to assume you are practising your irony.

hethmar

If your Dell has served you well for 11 years, go to Dell's site via a cashback site and see what you can get there - you can always haggle a bit more off them or get them to add freebies - well, thats what I found anyway Also google first to see if you can find any promo codes for Dell which will knock may be another £50 off. I think you deserve a nice new puter after 11 years, treat yourself

gonzo127

i think thats a bit over the top hethmar, op clearly is on a very tight budget and yet your showing things where you have to spend over £1000

lets wait to see what specs the current system is

Donnie

In addition, this is not the place for voucher codes. Maybe Hethmar has been drinking in his/her lunchbreak.