Cheap desktop

TrishaM

Hi, I have to change my desktop, one has xp and wont allow browsers to connect to internet..the other has vista on it and its a total pain, takes ages to update, infact sometimes wont. I did a complete re install and its a pain in the !!!. any recommendations for a cheap desktop, dont need keyboards mouse or monitors..

forgotmyname

Buy windows 7 or 8 or 10 and keep your PC?

debitcardmayhem

Tell everyone what they are and be surprised what you can save....you need to say Manufacturer, Model number and RAM installed there may be cheap options that may defer greater expense.

toshi

TrishaM wrote: »

Hi, I have to change my desktop, one has xp and wont allow browsers to connect to internet..the other has vista on it and its a total pain, takes ages to update, infact sometimes wont. I did a complete re install and its a pain in the !!!. any recommendations for a cheap desktop, dont need keyboards mouse or monitors..

TrishaM, I am sorry for your situation as you are another victim of software planned obsolescence.

I have assumed that your hardware is not problem at all, simply your operation system, (Windows) triggered a kill switch (software support termination).
One way to overcome the situation is that to install Free and Open source Linux Operation system. Linux is an alternative to Windows OS, and it is completely free of charge. It is easy to use, unlike Windows; whole installation will complete less than 30 min, including all application installation.

Unlike Windows update, Linuxmint update won’t interrupt your work. Yes, you are able to keep using your computer during software update. (It is true, believe me, I am a Windows professional Engineer lol)

You can use familiar application such as:

Libreoffice (Microsoft Office alternative)
Firefox (Internet Browser)
VLC Player (Music, and Video Playback)
GIMP (Photoshop alternative)
PDF reader etc
You don't need antivirus software (but you can install it, if you want)

All above application will be installed with LinuxMint together in 30 min. separately you can install other application such as Chrome (Internet Browser) if you prefer.

Through volunteer work, I have helped a dozen of VISTA/XP computers to convert user friendly Linux Mint system. As Linux Mint has been developed by community, they are very user friendly and similar to Windows XP/VISTA/7 look. (Please note Windows 8/10 has very diffirent user interface from XP/VISTA/7) No worry, I have setup LinuxMint for 80 years old couple. They are happy to use it.

I would recommend Linux Mint 18.1 MATE edition; As you have already reinstalled Vista by yourself, I would assume you are able to install LinuxMint easily by yourself. LinuxMint is very secure, very suitable for internet browsing, internet banking without worrying virus infection.

LinuxMint 18 will be supported until 4. 2021.

https://linuxmint.com/

You can get some idea on LinuxMint MATE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn2PFx6Z3dQ

MSE is the money saving site! So I would like to repeat LinuxMint and all application is at free of charge. You are able to utilise your existing resources without buying new hardware to enjoy safe computing & internet for another 3-4 years. (If you want to spend some money, you can upgrade sluggish hard disk to superfast SSD! Your computer will be blazingly faster than a brand new computer)

If interested, please let me know the exact model name of your computers. I am more than assist you.

Happy computing

forgotmyname

Is there anything correct in the above post? You cannot install windows inless than 30 minutes? You need a better PC.

I can use windows during most updates.


Your a windows pro engineer. And green spotted pigs fly.

You dont need AV software? Why do they create it then?

You got an 80 year old couple to use mint. So if i give them a FREE printer and they can install it without assistance I will buy everyone dinner. If they need help then you buy dinner and pay for the printer and my travel costs?

No kill switches in the installed software. If it worked when you installed it then it will work now.

Its just the latest versions wont run, exactly the same as Linux software. Linux can be more fussy because some software will only work on selected distributions.

Windows 10 has a very different interface to 7, wanna bet? My windows 7 looked exactly like windows 98 and my windows 10 looks exactly like windows 7 with windows 98 settings.

I still have my quicklaunch and uncluttered taskbar and start button etc etc..

I was going to put Mint on my mums system until i needed to make a few changes and though no way will she be able to do that.

esuhl

forgotmyname wrote: »

You dont need AV software? Why do they create it then?

To get rid of files infected with Windows viruses. They won't do anything to the Linux machine, but if you're using it as an email server with Windows clients, you might want to use it.

The security model in GNU/Linux is inherently more secure than Windows, which has evolved with backwards-compatibility from a single-user system with no security at all.

But no system is perfect.

DownTime

http://
ebay.co.uk/itm/DELL-VOSTRO-230-DESKTOP-WINDOWS-10-PRO-64-BIT-160GB/262957724410 £25 or make an offer.
Collection only.

DownTime

http://
ebay.co.uk/itm/DELL-OPTIPLEX-780-CORE-2-DUO-DESKTOP-PC-3-00GHz-2GB-160GB-WINDOWS-10-PRO/172633030355 £41.33 but only 2GB of RAM

http://
ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Optiplex-780-Core-2-Duo-E8400-3-00Ghz-2GB-RAM-250GB-Windows-7-Pro/112401453157 similar price but you can make an offer.

http://
ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Optiplex-380-Dual-Core-E5300-2-6GHz-2GB-RAM-80GB-HDD-Windows-7-/192182170493 £33 or make an offer

http://
ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Optiplex-380-Dual-Core-E5400-2-7GHz-2GB-RAM-80GB-HDD-Windows-7-/192182167908 £34 or make an offer

or wait for a machine with 4GB RAM to come up.

Of course there might be the option to do something with your current machine/s once you let on what they are.

DCFC79

OP on the PC that wont connect to the internet, have you tried doing an operating system reinstall ?

I was using XP the other week and it worked like it always had done.

toshi

I have no intention to play with OS sectarian WAR I just want to help TrishaM

forgotmyname wrote: »

Is there anything correct in the above post?

Yes, absolutely, I won't make comments without my own hands on experience. I have install, reinstall Windows, Linux more than 500 times. (unfortunately the most of them are windows one.) Insulation itself is extremely boring - naturally I love a quick job..

forgotmyname wrote: »

You cannot install windows inless than 30 minutes? You need a better PC.

As a professional I would expect 1-2 hours all of installation work including application with a brand new computer, (unless you use a SSD) In addition, constant windows update stop my work, May be 1 more hours at least ?

WINDOWS OS INSTALLATION
Libreoffice (Microsoft Office alternative)
Firefox (Internet Browser)
VLC Player (Music, and Video Playback)
GIMP (Photoshop alternative)
PDF reader etc

***********
In the case of older computers, in addition, you may need to install drivers individually, (it is super easy but boring and extremely time consuming job, It would take another one hour.,

Windows often identifies device, but does not install its driver.Why? Because Automatic installation requires Microsoft certification. Naturally vendors do not want to spend their resources for older devices to get certification. This is not technical reason to install device drivers individually. By contrast, as long as the devices were identified, Linux tried to install free drivers. Once drivers are supported, Linux won't drop driver support. In short, if you do use older hardware, Linux is very likely to insatll the most drivers automatically. i.e. less installation time.

I refurbished over 10 old computers to install Windows XP around 20011/12, It was so pain, as you said, I really give up as it is too slow, and it takes half day for all installation.

Then I have found LinixMint. IT WAS SHOCKING.It completed in 30 min including all application. I suggest to have your own hands upon Linux Experience

forgotmyname wrote: »

Windows 10 has a very different interface to 7, wanna bet? My windows 7 looked exactly like windows 98 and my windows 10 looks exactly like windows 7 with windows 98 settings.

I installed a classic shell etc so many times, but why I have to do this extra work ? I am tired lol.

forgotmyname wrote: »

You dont need AV software? Why do they create it then?

esuhl explained well.

forgotmyname wrote: »

"So if i give them a FREE printer and they can install it without assistance

Yes, please. give a HP printers. Surprisingly Most HP printers work as plug and play!

forgotmyname wrote: »

You got an 80 year old couple to use mint. So if i give them a FREE printer and they can install it without assistance I will buy everyone dinner.

Yes Please give a free HP printer, the most of which work at plug and play. As results of Windows 10, you may have to give up older xp / vista compatible printers. I prefer to utilise existing resources without paying money (buying new OS application cost)

forgotmyname wrote: »

No kill switches in the installed software. If it worked when you installed it then it will work now.

WINDOWS XP SUPPORT ENDS 4. 2014
WINDOWS VISTA SUPPORT ENDS 4. 2017
WINDOWS 7 SUPPORT ENDS 1. 2020
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/lifecycle

TrishaM is not able use her computer as before. This is what I meant.

forgotmyname wrote: »

I was going to put Mint on my mums system until i needed to make a few changes and though no way will she be able to do that.

I am sorry for your experience, but please do not generalise your own experiences. I am more than happy to assist your mums as well. Using computer is not always fun. (Look at this forums, so much problems with Windows as well, NO OS is perfect, however, In order to save XP/VISTA computers, Linux would be considered as a serious cost effective solution.)

But the first thing I need to know is the exact hardware setting etc.

I love to commit myself to assist TrishaM and anyone. I actually have a decent dual core spare computer, if anybody like to test linuxmint, I can offer it at delivery cost (10 pound ?) only.. I love to recommend a SSD as well. (a bit like an advert, is it OK to put here? if not I will delete this part)

Through a volunteer work, I truly appreciate TrishaM 's frustration. I love to rescue another TrishaMs

Happy computing

( I am using Windows 7 everyday for my business time, I have a Windows 10 for my support. I am using LinuxMint MATE 18 for non business time)

AndyPix

toshi wrote: »

believe me, I am a Windows professional Engineer lol

Im not having that for a minute ..
You may be helpful, and have installed a few systems but theres no way you do this for a job from reading that post ..


OP , look for a Dell optiplex business refurb on ebay, no older than a 780 and pick one with a spec to suit your budget .. (ram amount, hdd/ssd size etc)