Replacement Computor

prowla

If you are thinking of reinstalling your existing machine, then you should take some steps beforehand, including: backing up your data (eg. to a USB hard drive), making a note of your software product keys that you will need to reinstall (eg. using a free program called ProduKey or perhaps looking at the products Help->About menu option), making sure you have install media (ie. CDs/DVDs) to install from, exporting settings if the product allows it (eg. Outlook).

There is lots of advice available for how to do that.

The problem with new machines is that they will tend to have Windows 8.

Ganga

Again thanks for all the help,two questions:

1) Most of the programs including the operating system came pre-installed on the machine so i do not have reg. keys of re-install discs

2) What is the problem with Windows 8 ?


Again many thanks for all who have taken the time and trouble to help.

prowla

The computer may have an install partition, or the option to create media by come other means - it can vary. There are also downloadable images of Windows install media at the digitalriver web site, but there is some question about the legality of acquiring them from there; my opinion is that it is the licence key that controls the use and if they don't supply you with the media then what are you supposed to do?

Windows 8 is a bit of a marmite product; Microsoft seem to have decided that our computers should have an interface designed for a mobile phone. Some people just get on with it because that's progress, whilst others think that progress should imply improvement. There's plenty of noise about it on the internet. My opinion is that (for its time) it is the worst product that Microsoft have ever produced.

closed

A little extreme to buy a new machine because one particular image management program (which doesn't list W7/W8 compatibility) doesn't work

post a hijackthis log, installed ram, commit charge

if you backup properly, as explained in the speedup sticky, then a factory restore can be undone if it stops anything working - a single copy of some data on a flash drive is a little risky

Ganga

Thanks prowla, how can i check if it has an install partition.

What is the alternative to Windows 8 or is there not one?

getmore4less

Most likely software related so worth the factory reset.

Might be worth runing some diagnostics just in case there is other issue.

Perhaps get the side off and reseat the memory and any cards running diags before and after.

your basic use any of the current bottom of the range kit will be more than adequate.

What about a tablet/netbook connected to the existing keyboard monitor get some portbility and cheaper.


Even if you get a new system keep the old one for a while to play with and try things out like installing os software etc.

prowla

I think that Microsoft's two greatest products are Office 2010 and Windows 7.

Windows XP is perfectly acceptable as an OS, but there maybe some driver issues with more up to date hardware (but OTOH, some older kit only has support up to XP, such as a scanner I use).

As an alternative to Windows, Ubuntu Linux is a genuinely viable option, provided you don't need MS Office. I would definitely choose it over Windows 8, and there are no issues about licensing and keys and suchlike.

(All IMHO, of course.)

gardner1

Ganga wrote: »

I am looking for help and advice, my current unit ( Packard Bell,celeron cpu 3.33 gh,1.43 gb of Ram,Windows XP ) is playing up, that is running slow,programs crashing,refusing to shut down etc. as it is about 7 or 8 years old i thought that it might be a good time to replace it.
I only use it for Web browsing,storing my photo,s and as a word proccessor for sending letters and e-mail etc.
Can anybody recommend a good replacement unit? i do not need to change my screen or keyboard/mouse.

Thanks in advance

Ganga:)

if its just started running slow have you got up to date anti virus and done a full scan
also install and run malwarebytes

Lum

prowla wrote: »

Windows 8 is a bit of a marmite product; Microsoft seem to have decided that our computers should have an interface designed for a mobile phone. Some people just get on with it because that's progress, whilst others think that progress should imply improvement. There's plenty of noise about it on the internet. My opinion is that (for its time) it is the worst product that Microsoft have ever produced.

Clearly you have never used Microsoft Bob, Windows ME or Windows NT 3.x

But yes, big problem with Win8 is that it's designed more for tablets than phones. There are 3rd party fixes to make it behave like older versions of Windows however.

prowla

Lum wrote: »

Clearly you have never used Microsoft Bob, Windows ME or Windows NT 3.x

But yes, big problem with Win8 is that it's designed more for tablets than phones. There are 3rd party fixes to make it behave like older versions of Windows however.

Yes, I've used Windows 2, 3, 3.5, 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003, 2008, 2012, Flight Simulator, Office (several versions), Word on an old Mac (before Windows existed), Write (on an Atari), Project, Visio (and before Microsoft bought the product), Virtual PC (before Microsoft bought the company), etc.

And of the lot, Windows 8 is the worst, most stupid, most obstructive, and most unenjoyable product I have used. Even after plonking a replacement "Start" menu on it (which may have questionable stability), the mixed and inconsistent user interface metaphors and plain ugliness of the presentation layer known as "Metro" just kill it dead. Metro as a user interface is nearly as exciting as a Metro 1.1 car from the 80s, but slightly less stylish.