Adice Needed For Windows XP Upgrade

None ^ | March 2, 2014 | cva66snipe

[cva66snipe]

I have two computers running XP. The most important one to upgrade right now is my desktop. I've gone back and forth trying to decide whether to go with 7 or 8. Furthermore the terminology being used for OS packages adds to the confusion for me. For example Starter, Builder, etc. Here is what my computer has.

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600

Service Pack 3 Build 2600

System Manufacturer Dell Inc.

System Model Inspiron 530s

System Type X86-based PC

Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 13

GenuineIntel ~1795 Mhz

BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 1.0.12, 3/1/2008

SMBIOS Version 2.5

Available Physical Memory 634.88 MB

Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB

Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
It's a 32 Bit system

I found a Windows 7 Upgrade disk for over $200. However I need to know if I can go a cheaper route and install a full system package over the XP without having to manually wipe my HD? I know I'll loose my data and I'll back up My Documents so that isn't an issue. Spending money for a Full System OS and it not want to install would be a huge issue.

I have to upgrade with a Disk. Downloading an upgrade or OS is out of the question. I'm on 52K dial up. Would Windows 8.1 full system work? That would get me around the 300MB download. W/7 as much as I would like to have it over W/8 would likely have me doing a couple of days of downloads to bring it up to date.

The last upgrade I did on a computer was W/ME and it was an upgrade disk. Oddly enough a W/8 upgrade disk for previous versions is not to be found in stores in my area just the full system. As I understand it an Upgrade disk is a full system disk.

To further confuse me a tech at a local store said yea W/8.1 would install no problem. But the darn box states not for use with computers with XP or VISTA. Now if that is simply because you would loose your documents etc fine I can work around that part. As I understand it using an Upgrade disk from XP to W8 that's going to happen anyway the Upgrade disk will do a full install wiping all files.

My system is basic a CD/DVD player and I have an external HD for back up and additional storage. A new machine is not afordable for me right now and besides I'd have to puy a dial up modem in it.

Any advice? Thanks.

[RckyRaCoCo]

bfl

[KevinB]

Likewise. Freegards!

[cva66snipe]

Thanks for all the replies. It gives me more to think about. Money is an issue so if I bought even a refurb it would be low end. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles I wont use. Windows Media Player is about it for me and a program with a calender reminder function for appointments.

Monetary reality is both my wife and I are disabled. That is why I was looking at Upgrading machine instead of a new one. I'm not a tight wad it's just money is tight LOL. The computer as much as anything I use for business transactions and doing needed medical look ups etc. I'm also Medical POA and the UPS mail for my older sibling who is in Memory Care. I scan the bills and mail them to another family member out of state who has full POA and pays the bills. Doctors, hospitals, insurance etc want a local address so I coordinate that part.

Be back in later.

[Yosemitest]

I understand "being a part of the land."
Knoxville really is beautiful.
I guess you're in a valley and not high on a hill, if your TV reception is lousy to non-existent.

But you really should consider switching to apple, even if you have to buy a used one that someone's selling in order to buy a newer model iMac.
It's great not having to deal with all the holes in the software that are a normal part of Windows.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I’m going with Windows 7. Mr. GG2 has 8 and its a nightmare.

[hoosierham]

I am one of millions who am fine with XP and would not change except for being forced. For that matter I have other computers purposed for certain applications that run even older OS Really WinME worked quite well for me.

I was lucky to buy Win7Pro authentic upgrade disks through a university.

Microsoft offers great prices to educational and OEM but outrageous retail pricing.

One reason I and others like Dell computers is the availability of physical restore disks.But you do need a valid COA sticker.

[MomwithHope]

I have a very similar desktop to yours. I did the update debate a year or so ago. Decided to leave my desktop just the way it is. I bought a laptop with Windows 8.1 that I use for most stuff, email, surfing. I leave the desktop for anytime I need to generate a document or do a spreadsheet or anything I need a printer for. It has a large display so I also use it for photo retouch and sorting stuff. I make use of three 500 gb portable hard drives for backup for old family photos and digital movies. Someday maybe in a year or 2 I’ll get a new desktop, it’s a Dell too so it’s held up well. My new laptop is a Lenovo Yoga 11S and I absolutely love it.

[ansel12]

If security is your main concern you should be running one of the third-party anti-virus programs. Also NoScript or similar free programs. You can tighten up that XP pretty well. Are you running a firewall program or hardware firewall device?If the hackers can’t get to your system then lack of new MS updates doesn’t matter.

I have so hardened my XP that I'm starting to wonder how it could be at risk.

I did complete XP reinstalls, and then all my Microsoft updates, EMET, free avast with online security, Comodo, Spyware blaster, Superantispyware, Malwarebytes and Glary Utilities for on demand scans, in Chrome and Firefox, I use Adblock plus, no-script, https everywhere, disconnect, WOT, Window name eraser, and I am probably going to install a free VPN.

I only intend to use it as a backup, but I do have the impression that I would still be pretty safe using it.

I have also tried to tweak the settings on everything, (cookies, search history, etc), do you have any advice or recommendations?

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

My first question is, why do you need to upgrade XP?

Is it because MS will allegedly no longer support it after April?

If that is the only reason...I say keep it.

Install Sun/Oracle Virtual Box. It has a Windows version. With that you can create a virtual machine that runs a Linux distro...like Mint 15 or 16.

The Linux can access the internet and Windows XP can be disconnected so it is no invulnerable to any outside attacks.

I have set this up and it works great. I use XP as I always have with the many, many applications I use. If I need to get to the internet, I start the VM and run Linux. Both Linux and XP will run at the same time for easy switching.

The best part is that it is all free. And you can tell MS to go stick it.

If this interests you, Freepmail me and I can provide details on configuration.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Continuing to run XP and Office 2003 after April opens yourself wide open to hacker attacks ...

I've found a convenient and free way around that.

[TChad]

I really dislike the way the file menues present and the difficulty of selecting a file without missing the window a little with the cursor and having the menu disappear and having to start over again.

The focus shifts to the window you selected by mistake, bringing it in front of your old window. You can rotate through your windows by holding the Alt key down and pressing the tab key.

I can’t seem to maneuver up and down the filepath from explorer like I used to on XP.

I prefer the file manager in Free Commander to that in post-XP Windows Explorer:

http://www.freecommander.com/

Looking for some way to modify / retrofit W7 to operate more like XP

Try Classic Shell.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/

[daniel1212]

Would Windows 8.1 full system work

Yes. Read this thread .

If someone has DSL/Cable you can get the evaluation copy here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/hh699156.aspx

See thread on how to install. Ask ? as needed.

[daniel1212]

I think that is the better route rather than paying 200.- for a OS. Although you can get W/8 upgrade (make sure it is for XP) for less than 100.00, and the license now allow allows removal and installation on another PC.

Just make sure the OS comes installed and that you make a back up copy of the OS, even if it does not come with a disk (it rarely does anymore.)

You could go for a new custom build here http://www.computerlx.com/config.aspx?t=&product_ID=1558, but that would be around 450 with the OS.

Make sure you get at least 4gb ram with a 64 bit as it can handle it, unlike 32 bit. .

[daniel1212]

If you are too broke to buy a new computer, but you are willing to drop 200 USD on an OS, then you haven’t considered buying a USED computer for under 200 USD.

But for now he could get the below, and transfer it to a new PC in the furure, as i did. But this OS is only 32 bit i think, and a new PC should be 64 .

Microsoft Windows 8 Pro - Upgrade Running Windows 7, Windows XP or Windows Vista? Upgrade to Windows 8 with Windows 8 Pro Once you install Windows 8, Windows 8.1 is available as a free update directly from Microsoft

[cva66snipe]

Thanks. I went to the download link for a look see on the computer I'm using now. In the gray are close to the Get Started Now Click On the words are overlapping an issue I'm noticing more and more with IE 8. I have about $140 tops I can work with. That will cover cost of the OS easily at Wally World off the shelf with the disk.

Actually I could download what you are talking about onto my laptop when I visit my sister. That would give me 90 days to change it over as well.

I understand the pro's and advantages of a new machine and the expected life of an older machine. That's why I bought new machines before when I could do it. That said I have yet to have a HD crash or processor burn up. Every computer I ever bought back to one in 1999 still boots up. I use good surge protection on both the phone line and power side which helps. My house voltage is set at 115/230 volts and that also helps as opposed to the now standard 128/256 volts I've been seeing in a lot of places including my house till I raised cain.

[daniel1212]

Without reading through 60+ replies, I'm going to say something most people have already said: Linux. Ubuntu Linux or Linux Mint will do EVERYTHING you need them to do, AND you could download either one, install it to a flash drive, boot off of it, and give Linux a test drive before you decide to replace your XP install.

As one who has tried every major and some minor Linux distros on older (6-10 years) PCs i have to disagree, considering the person in need here. Linux typically failed at doing what you take for granted can be done easily in Windows without having to learn search forums, and try various coding attempts, which can vary from one flavor another.

And unless he has a hardware modem, he likely will have problems with dial up.

Recently i have been involved now with trying to install Linux on an HP nx9005 laptop, 1.67ghz cpu and 512mb ram for someone whose HDD i replaced , and thus i want to use a lightweight distro.

So i did some partitioning on my own, and then i installed Fedora 16 LXDE. But Yum would get stuck in a loop after first update. Will not close.Killed it, try again, logoff or reboot and tried again, — same thing occurs. No help that works found online.

So Installed Lubuntu 13.10. Does not detect simply DSL network connection via DSL, which Fedora did. Looked online and ran sudo pppeo conf to no avail, and looked about a dozen of questions to forums on the same error message in which no answer was found.

Then there is the problem of illegal codecs, which i want to be legal about, and have read the debate. I asked which proprietary codecs they were so i could use any distro i wanted and remove them, but no one can tell me as the names vary from distro to distro. I would buy the Fluendo package if i relied on Linux, but i really only want it for a alternative, and for old PCs i would give away.

I upgraded to Win8 pro for 29.00 (w/ rebate) when it was being promoted, so i cannot complain about the price.

Still, i think Linux has potential, and i am for alternatives, but it actually suffers from too many individuality and lack of maturity. And yes i have my critiques of Windows also, but thank God for the abilities computers give us.

[daniel1212]

I used to run out using XP with 4gb ram (3,5 usable) , so i would increase it. I am surprised he has 4 slots:

DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 4GB
Slots: 4 http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/Dell-memory/Inspiron+Desktops+/Inspiron+530-upgrades.html

2GB DDR2 PC5300 PC2-5300 667 Mhz LOW DENSITY Desktop Memory http://www.ebay.com/itm/like /370556236203?lpid=82

US $20.45 FREE Standard Shipping

[daniel1212]

Try Classic Shell. http://sourceforge.net/projects/classicshell/

Yes, Classic Shell is a real help.

[daniel1212]

Actually I could download what you are talking about onto my laptop when I visit my sister. That would give me 90 days to change it over as well.

Yes, i do not like the installer the download requires, as it actually uses your PC as a server, but just uninstaller it after it is done. Then use Image Burn to burn the ISO, or used the Windows USB writer that should be in the link.

[cva66snipe]

Now I am curious. I never noticed the other two slots. I’ve had the cover off many times doing cleaning. 4 would give me an extra GB possibly 1.5 more. I know I had 4 GB put in my laptop at the factory for any future OS upgrades. Could have been this one I knew I could do it later by putting 2-2GB sticks in. I’ve slept since then LOL.