Do I need a new PC?

googler wrote: »

Once again

Draws line under it

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Don't worry drawing a line under it will protect you from the good, the bad and the ugly on the net

esuhl wrote: »

I use XP on a laptop and in VMs.

I have script-blocking enabled by default on all domains, and subscribe to a number of anti-malware domain blacklists. I don't browse random sites, and I run the browsers in a sandbox, anyway.

There are no shares (even administrative ones), the machines aren't wifi-enabled, and 99% of the time they're switched off.

I think you'd have a hard time hacking my XP machines.

Yes you are taking sensible precautions, but why not upgrade? It still does not stop an unpatched exploit compromising your machine\network, particularly one that does not require action on your part. Given the on time you would be really unlucky to get one but the chance is still there.

The original OP is on Windows 7 so is ok for sometime still, as others have said an SSD could breathe fresh life into an old computer but if you are happy with the performance and it does what you want it to, don't rush to upgrade.

I would however make sure you had a backup of your data preferably two as online storage is cheap especially compared to recovering data.

On a separate XP note Worldpay are removing support for TLS 1.0 so if you happen to be using IE on XP then it won't work. More and more issues are creeping up that either need a work round or change.

And one of my favourite XP related security


Don't worry it was improved for Vista though

Judi wrote: »

My pc only struggles with large adverts. Mainly on the Mail online which is no biggie as its all rubbish anyway.

Adverts?! On a computer? You need to install a decent ad-blocker. It'll reduce the risk of malware infections and reduce page load times too.

EveryWhere wrote: »

Would have been a simple job.Back up product keys. Update using the BIOS linked in my post. Install SSD as boot drive, install Windows 7 Professional cleanly to SSD. Attach old HDD as storage drive. Move stuff over at leisure.

it never goes that easy from scratch.

Just checking the bios upgrade and what it does will take time.

is there really a legal free upgrade from vista to 7?


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getmore4less wrote: »

it never goes that easy from scratch.

Just checking the bios upgrade and what it does will take time.

is there really a legal free upgrade from vista to 7?
...

EveryWhere wrote: »

You are just over complicating things. It really is that easy.
Yes.

I would say it depends, installing and OS from scratch can be very straight forward and run through with no issues. However it can also be a royal pain in the backside and can lead to a lot of hair pulling moments, particularly if this is your first attempt at doing it.

That's not meant to put you off but you can encounter issues with drivers particularly to the point where sometimes without the right drivers you cannot even see the hard drive\SSD to install Windows on so you fall at the first hurdle.

You need to download the appropriate drivers from the website and if you were say planning on moving to Windows 10 make sure that there are drivers that will work with it. (often the Windows 8 ones will still work)

You also have Windows 7 Home so are not licensed for Windows 7 Professional.

I would upgrade the RAM but as you are 32bit OS you will only be able to use 3.5GB of ram so don't buy any more than that unless you upgrade to a 64bit OS.

If however you are happy with your PC, then the old adage if ain't broke don't fix it should be worth considering. Make sure you backup though