Updating desktop

psychic_teabag

You might want to google for "lightweight linux" for distributions that work better on older computers.

I think the biggest difference between the distributions is the default desktop -- of course that can have a big influence on how well you get on with it. (I'm very old-fashioned and use a window manager rather than a "desktop".) The other difference is the package management. Ubuntu and other debian derivatives use "apt", which I find works well. I don't know much about the others.

One caveat with trying out a live CD is that the slow access gives a poor first impression. Using a USB stick should be better.

onomatopoeia99

Tarambor wrote: »

Why? Unless you are a gamer or do 3D CAD you will notice absolutely no advantage to upgrading your graphics card at all.

The OP is correct and it's nothing to do with their usage.


The Intel graphics controller on the motherboard of that PC last had a driver update released in 2005, which supported up to Windows XP. Vista and later versions of Windows completely changed the driver model so drivers run at ring three not ring zero, so XP drivers are always going to struggle on anything later (some can be kludged to work on Vista and occasionally 7, but for something like graphics it's far from ideal). It's so old that there were drivers for Windows 98.





To the OP, your PC is fit only for the bin at this point and is too old to be sensibly upgraded.

stphnstevey

that wrote: »

Well you download the software from ms, and get the official key from ebay for £2.97
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WINDOWS-10-PRO-64-BIT-OFFICIAL-PRODUCT-CODE-KEY-GLOBAL-INSTANT-DELIVERY/202470100680?epid=1353442741

you can buy 32/64 version for £3.77

The whole windows installation software with key for £5.38, from Australia

Thanks for the tips, didn't realise it was as cheap as this!

stphnstevey

DoaM wrote: »

And to answer the other question ... most Linux distros have a Live CD option where you can boot from CD/DVD (or USB pendrive) and run a fully-working "demo" of the distro. You could do this with several different ones to find which one you prefer ... once you've selected it then the Live CD will let you install it on your PC. (Make sure you've backed up all your data beforehand ... and remember that your Windows programmes won't run natively on Linux).

So no Microsoft Office?
Will Linux generally run and boot a lot faster?

that

John_Gray wrote: »

An SSD will certainly make it start faster...

Probably it wont

I had a look on ebay and then I saw the case and realised that I had one of these, and it was all pata, and think the model after this think supports sata.

Checked on ebay and there are 2 pata ports on the boards and no sata Think these PCs are around 10-12 years old

Of the opinion what ever you will buy for this, you will be throwing your money away.

What will work lightning fast on this is Puppy linux x32, but could be of limited use, but will surf and type letters (unsure if it will print them), and a few basic games were included. A modern disto of linux will struggle too

psychic_teabag

stphnstevey wrote: »

So no Microsoft Office?
Will Linux generally run and boot a lot faster?

libreoffice is a free alternative to MS office. The web-based alternatives (google docs ?) should also work fine.

psychic_teabag

(re requiring a new graphics card)

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

The OP is correct and it's nothing to do with their usage.


The Intel graphics controller on the motherboard of that PC last had a driver update released in 2005, which supported up to Windows XP. Vista and later versions of Windows completely changed the driver model...

To the OP, your PC is fit only for the bin at this point and is too old to be sensibly upgraded.

Perhaps there's no support in newer windows, but linux tends to be pretty good at running on old hardware. The more popular the hardware, the more likely that someone went to the trouble of supporting it. There are various web pages listing hardware compatability for linux, but perhaps simplest just to try it.

EveryWhere

hampshirebabe wrote: »

Is there a website I can use to check my desktop to see what upgrades I could do to make it a decent pc again, or if its just better to get a new one? Its about 5 years old, I've already upgraded the memory.

As you know know, it is nothing like five years old. It's actually from 2006.

You can pick up a second hand model that will be streets ahead and do the job comfortably for you. Something like this is ok for 60 squid; https://www.encore-pc.co.uk/dell-optiplex-960-core2-duo-e8400-3-00ghz

I'm sure others can find even better value.

EveryWhere

If you want to persist with upgrading your current PC, here are the Drivers for Windows 7; https://laptop-driver.blogspot.com/2014/01/dell-dimension-1100-drivers-for-windows.html

If any issues with the Graphics, try this modified Driver; https://www.mediafire.com/file/cvyyhjeon5eubyj/Intel+865G+Modded+Driver+A10.zip

You can just install Windows 7 without a key, using the trial licence at no cost to see if it works first.

But a cheap second hand PC, especially one fitted with a solid state drive is the way to go.

hampshirebabe

Thankyou all. I cant believe its that old, then again my daughter just turned 11 and I've no ideas where those years went. I really dont like throwing away things if theres a chance I can fix them, so I'll try the drivers and try windows 7, if that doesn't work I'll try and figure out Linux, but probably will need a new one, £60 is doable. :-)