Replacing Dell Computer

bermary

I ran the windows update and its said there were 94 updates to download and install but after doig the install only 50 odd had installed all the rest had failed.

NiftyDigits

Keep updating and installing.

azzabazza

Found the paperwork relating to the Dell. It is a Dell Dimension 5000 and I actually bought it in 2005. 512 MB Internal memory, 160 GB Hard drive.

NiftyDigits

azzabazza wrote: »

Found the paperwork relating to the Dell. It is a Dell Dimension 5000 and I actually bought it in 2005. 512 MB Internal memory, 160 GB Hard drive.

You didn't need the paperwork...just the Service Tag...

azzabazza

Service tag means nothing to me.

NiftyDigits

azzabazza wrote: »

Service tag means nothing to me.

Perhaps you should read what people take the trouble to write to you.
earthstorm mentioned it in the very first reply to your post and we've been waiting ever since.

Service Tag here

or

here

Anyway, your PC is still easily upgradeable.

More RAM and a PCI Express Graphics card will bring a good improvement. In fact it will bring it up to the performance of my current PC. £40 will do it.

azzabazza

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Perhaps you should read what people take the trouble to write to you.
earthstorm mentioned it in the very first reply to your post and we've been waiting ever since.

Service Tag here

or

here

Anyway, your PC is still easily upgradeable.

More RAM and a PCI Express Graphics card will bring a good improvement. In fact it will bring it up to the performance of my current PC. £40 will do it.

Thanks for your advice. I am sure I can upgrade for £40 as you say but it will probably cost more as I would need to seek the assistance of an expert to order and install any upgrades which will cost more. Also the dvd drawer is faulty (not a software issue).

The advice given has been very much appreciated but sometimes I feel I am expected to have more knowledge/expertise than I actually have.

NiftyDigits

azzabazza wrote: »

Thanks for your advice. I am sure I can upgrade for £40 as you say but it will probably cost more as I would need to seek the assistance of an expert to order and install any upgrades which will cost more. Also the dvd drawer is faulty (not a software issue).

The advice given has been very much appreciated but sometimes I feel I am expected to have more knowledge/expertise than I actually have.

This is not the case. All these fixes are user-upgradeable. I am confident that you could fit both the RAM and the Graphics card in one sitting and in less than fifteen minutes.

Unless you have some problems with your mobility, you can do it.
It's simply a case of undoing a couple of screws and then slotting the RAM in. Graphics card much the same. Slot in to the alloted space.
It is really that simple. Either way, we'll guide you along.
Once you've done it, you'll no longer waste money on these kinds of simple jobs.
Otherwise it will always be a mystery to you and you will always have to pay.
New DVD Writer comes in at £20.
Again user upgradeable.

None of these fittings require technical knowledge. Just the ability to follow simple instruction. Easier than putting together flat-pack furniture.

Same issue with the other basic PCs. You can buy for £160 and install your choice of OS.

If you can't be bothered to learn as you go along, then you'll have to pay for someone to do it all for you.

A waste of money and a waste of a still useful machine.

NiftyDigits

If you are set on buying a new machine, take a look at these DELL machines from £204 delivered. Be quick though. 3 year warranty included.

Vostro 270 Mini Tower System Details
Vostro 270 Mini Tower
Processor: Intel® Pentium® G2020 (2.90GHz, 3MB), English Windows® 7 Professional
2 GB (1x2GB) 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC, 500 GB 3.5inch SATA III Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
16X DVD +/- RW Drive, Mini-Tower Chassis
Back Up Media Not Included, Display: Not Included
English Windows 7 Professional SP1 (64 Bit), Dell 105 Key Soft Touch USB Keyboard Black

You could fit another £25 4GB RAM module(or a £15 2GB module) to take it up to 6GB(4GB) RAM and transfer your data at your leisure(with our help).

Better basic system, operating system, warranty and price.

BillTrac

There has been mention of a Medion which turned out to be a laptop. But Asda do a desktop Medion for £299. It's a Medion E2025 E desktop with 1tB of HDD.

Although i personally would rather upgrade what I had if feasible, rather than pay out for another PC, the Medions have quite a decent reputation.