XP update?

[Cetti]

Our 98SE computer is causing more and more problems - shutdown, repeated freezing, closing down at any time, and e-mail is a nightmare, so much so that we are considering updating to XP. What I would like to know is how easy is it to update - would it be better in the long run to buy a new computer, and either way will we still be able to use our Office 2000 disk? I know it's a lot to ask , but things are getting a bit desperate!! Thank you in advance.

[sideymun]

Depends on a few things. One important thing in my opinion is the spec of your current computer - i have Win XP installed on my old AMD 350MHz 128MB RAM PC with very few prblems. I cant use some of the cheesy features included with XP(it slows down too much) but all in all the system is the most stable it has ever been. Furthermore the amount of free disk space can be a issue- win xp takes up around 2GB on my machine - this includes the main OS, Office XP and a few other essential bits and pieces - you could do a compact install if space was a problem.

You might also come with a few problems with drivers wehn you update to XP, personally i have had few problems - i think ive been lucky, but i know friends who have had a many long nights trying to find Win XP drivers for their systems. If you decide to upgrade i would check that all you hardware is compatible with XP - should be easy as checking the manufacters web site. Im not sure what you mean by "can you still use your office 2000 disc". If you mean will Office 2000 work with XP then the answer is yes because i have used 2000 with Win XP with no problems.

Ultimately i reckon that upgrading to Win XP is a good idea. The actual upgraded should be fairly straightforward, a lot less user involvement than earlier windows installations. In my experience i have found Win XP the most stable of all windows platfroms (except maybe NT, but you cant have everything i guess). I have win XP installed on both my PC's and i have installed it for a few friends and all of them reckon that its the best version of windows so far. The Microsoft Windows XP site is probably a good place to get some more info on how and why you should upgrade (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/default.asp). just take the info with a pinch of salt - it is microsoft after all :)

[lisaj]

My suggestion would be to backup your data and wipe everything anyway - it sounds like you've got a classic case of 'Rusty-PC', where stuff just gets messed up over time... if this is the case you don't want to upgrade the OS, but rather start from scratch.

[sft42]

A problem with an upgrade to Xp from 98 is that it will save all your personal settings so that you have your documents etc. sitting ready to roll and this can cause diffs by importing registry faults....as Lisa says the best bet might be to do a tidy up of the old PC first and see if that gives you the stability you need then if not consider an upgrade though i have to agree with sidey that Xp is the best OS from microsoft so far.

[xyzzyplugh]

Hi Cetti, 98se; I had that, Crashed every day. My XP never crashes, it's a pleasure to work with. XP is a different file system to 98; FAT versus NTFS; the exact impact of this I don't know except that it's better. A new pc is the best idea IMO One with CDRW if you can spare the outlay. They recommend minimum 128Mb ram memory but 256 would be more ideal. [Plus then you got a spare pc for special projects etc] :-)

[Cetti]

You've all been brilliant - I'm really grateful. You're way ahead of me in computer knowledge, so if it's ok I'll give you some system specifications - Intel Pentium 111- 700MHz - 128MB - 30GB HDD - No CDRW, but room for one. It also cost a whopping �1199 August 200. I have taken it back to factory settings 3 times, the last being Feb 2003 (Is this starting from scratch, or is there a process that goes further? If it is a new pc, and I've got a feeling it is, can the present scanner and printer still be used?

[j2buttonsw]

Your PC is more than adequate and assuming you can find drivers for your printer and scanner (very likely if you bought them the same time as your computer) you will have no problems. If by "taking back to the factory settings" you mean running a restore CD then I would do this then upgrade it to XP (you then only need the cheaper upgrade licence). Burners are only �50 so I would follow plughs' suggestion and get one (also get more RAM as PC133 RAM is also pretty cheap).

[Cetti]

Thank you all again - I can now look forward with confidence to a more 'stable' future.