Time for me to join 21st Century?

TakeThis

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks to everyone for their responses.

I've done a complete backup of the hard disk to an external hard drive using Acronis, so might risk some of the scarier sounding solutions offered here. If anything goes horribly wrong, I'll be able to restore from that?

PC came with XP pre loaded. I don't have a disc so don't think I can do a clean install.

I thought that after 7 years, a new PC with more RAM / faster processor / bigger / newer whatever would be a good idea.

If I increase the RAM, would I for example, be able to install Windows 7?

Not that it matters (for the purposes of this forum :rotfl:) but I'm a she

You can get a new computer if you wish. But as long as it is in good working order, the RAM upgrade and a clean up or clean install will make a world of difference.

poppellerant

I can only say what others have said - get more RAM. 256mb is the bare minimum for XP and that's for very low memory usage applications.

These days 1gb is regarded as the minimum for web browsing, with antivirus software. Not to mention a lot of sites can bog down even some modern computer - MSE forums included!

If you want to reinstall Windows XP, you could easily locate an XP Home image to download and burn to a blank CD (that's not the illegal part, using a pirated key is). Then use JellyBean to find your current serial number, and use that when prompted during the reinstallation of XP.

If your machine has 512mb, then it might be installed as 2x 256mb sticks of RAM to make up 512mb - or it could be as a single 512mb stick. I would find out your motherboard make and model (you could use http://www.piriform.com/speccy for this) and use Crucial's Memory Advisor to tell you the maximum amount of RAM you can install. The price of RAM these days is so cheap, you might be able to install 2gb of RAM for under £30.

As well as using CCleaner, run Disk Cleanup (found within the Start menu) and cleanup any possible system files that might need cleaning up. A good defrag program like UltraDefrag will keep your PC running sweet - but this program is so efficient at defragmenting, I only need to defragment once or twice a month - and that's with heavy usage!

badger09

poppellerant wrote: »

I can only say what others have said - get more RAM. 256mb is the bare minimum for XP and that's for very low memory usage applications.

These days 1gb is regarded as the minimum for web browsing, with antivirus software. Not to mention a lot of sites can bog down even some modern computer - MSE forums included!

If you want to reinstall Windows XP, you could easily locate an XP Home image to download and burn to a blank CD (that's not the illegal part, using a pirated key is). Then use JellyBean to find your current serial number, and use that when prompted during the reinstallation of XP.

If your machine has 512mb, then it might be installed as 2x 256mb sticks of RAM to make up 512mb - or it could be as a single 512mb stick. I would find out your motherboard make and model (you could use http://www.piriform.com/speccy for this) and use Crucial's Memory Advisor to tell you the maximum amount of RAM you can install. The price of RAM these days is so cheap, you might be able to install 2gb of RAM for under £30.

As well as using CCleaner, run Disk Cleanup (found within the Start menu) and cleanup any possible system files that might need cleaning up. A good defrag program like UltraDefrag will keep your PC running sweet - but this program is so efficient at defragmenting, I only need to defragment once or twice a month - and that's with heavy usage!

Thanks poppellerant

Can you please point me in the right direction to find XP Home image to download?

No more questions tonight but thanks for the advice.

poppellerant

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks poppellerant

Can you please point me in the right direction to find XP Home image to download?

No more questions tonight but thanks for the advice.

Before I do, I just need to know if your version of Windows XP Home is OEM or not - it might be that if it's not, it might be the case that you will need to use the manufacturer's installation disc to reinstall Windows.

badger09

poppellerant wrote: »

Before I do, I just need to know if your version of Windows XP Home is OEM or not - it might be that if it's not, it might be the case that you will need to use the manufacturer's installation disc to reinstall Windows.

I think I've just answered my own question here

I've found a paper disc (looks like a CD) which says 'Your computer does not require an operating system CD or drivers CDs. Instead, if you ever need to reinstall your software, use one of the following methods' then suggests using Microsoft Windows System Restore, Dell PC Restore, or visit Dell support re creating or obtaining copy of OS CD. There's also a bar code and number on it - which I assume is the serial number for my product.

So if I do a fresh install would I be able to return it to its current state using the disk image from Acronis if necessary?

I'll also look at the additional RAM suggestions.

Sorry for so may questions but I need to have at least a basic understanding of why I'm doing what I'm doing. I'm not trusting enough to do stuff just because some kind knowledgeable people on a forum tell me its a good idea .

poppellerant

Windows XP keys look similar to this: 1A2B3-CD4E5-F6G7H-8I9J0-K1L2M. So if the number consists of 25 digits split into 5 blocks, then I would safely assume that is your XP key.

If you've made a complete image of all partitions of your harddrives, then I have no reason to believe the machine can be returned to it's previous state. I should say I have a much stronger preference for Macrium Reflect and have used it sucessfully!

closed

if you want to factory restore it use dell pc restore - you will lose all data that hasn't been backed up elsewhere. If you then stick bloated security/browsers back on, you'll be close to square one.

you'll have to test the acronis boot cd to find out whether it will enable you to restore it from a backup device - the exact state afterwards will depend on what you have backed up - (full hard disk, or partitions?)

badger09

poppellerant wrote: »

Windows XP keys look similar to this: 1A2B3-CD4E5-F6G7H-8I9J0-K1L2M. So if the number consists of 25 digits split into 5 blocks, then I would safely assume that is your XP key.

If you've made a complete image of all partitions of your harddrives, then I have no reason to believe the machine can be returned to it's previous state. I should say I have a much stronger preference for Macrium Reflect and have used it sucessfully!

The number is not that long, but I still have the options mentioned on the paper disc.

I'm used to Acronis now so will stick with that, but thanks for the recommendation.

badger09

closed wrote: »

if you want to factory restore it use dell pc restore - you will lose all data that hasn't been backed up elsewhere. If you then stick bloated security/browsers back on, you'll be close to square one.

OK, point taken

you'll have to test the acronis boot cd to find out whether it will enable you to restore it from a backup device - the exact state afterwards will depend on what you have backed up - (full hard disk, or partitions?)

Yes, I understand that. Obviously there's no benefit to putting it back to exactly as it is now. I just wanted the reassurance, that if a full factory restore didn't suit, I could go back to what I have now. Better the devil and all that

poppellerant

Do one final backup, then use that CD to reinstall this afternoon then report back.

If all goes well with the reinstall, the first thing I'd be doing is removing as much pre-installed software/bloatware/rubbish as possible, then running Windows Updates.