Replacement Computor

50Twuncle

prowla wrote: »

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.

I agree with you on Win 8 - it is badly thought out - such things as accessing the control panel are a long drawn out procedure....
It is a "numpty" operating system

I had forgotten about the pre-Win 3.1 (ie Win 1 and 2) - I started on DOS 5 in about 1994 !!

googler

Ganga wrote: »

Budget - £300/400

You could put a new HDD in (moving the current one to the secondary HDD bay) and buy the full office suite to install on it for far less than that

If i do a factory restore wil i loose all programs? ie office,google earth etc.

Yes. But google earth is easily downloadable again, surely?

The main complaint that i have ...

Now a couple of daft questions: if i buy a new computer will it come pre loaded with an operating system?

Some PCs will, some won't

Will it have microsoft office on it?

Some will, some won't

Unless there's evidence that some component other than the HDD is at fault, installation of a new primary drive, OS to go on it (if you don't have install discs for current one), and Office, comes in at far less than your budget.

Do you have install discs for XP and Office?

prowla

To repeat, if you download and run ProduKey, it will give you your Office licence key. Reinstalling the system will remove office, but the key will allow you to install it again (provided you get media or an install image).

50Twuncle

prowla wrote: »

To repeat, if you download and run ProduKey, it will give you your Office licence key. Reinstalling the system will remove office, but the key will allow you to install it again (provided you get media or an install image).

Magical Jellybean keyfinder does the same thing - it gives most MS product keys (including Windows)
Unfortunately, Win XP is not downloadable (in case of loss of media) - unlike Win 7 - Which makes life harder - if you no longer have the installation CD !!

bluesnake

21Twinkle wrote: »

Unfortunately, Win XP is not downloadable (in case of loss of media)...

It is not downloadable from microsoft, but I am fairly sure you can find it elsewhere, then to make it legit you just use your existing key:)

50Twuncle

bluesnake wrote: »

It is not downloadable from microsoft, but I am fairly sure you can find it elsewhere, then to make it legit you just use your existing key:)

Unfortunately - OEM versions were product key dependant - and I assume that this is the case in this issue !!
So - you cannot just use *any* Win XP software on *any* product key....
That's the reason why Win 7 came on DVD as opposed to CD - The need for drivers to cover the whole range of hardware without any need to download it from the web....
Win 7 is officially downloadable from digital river.