[AlbertWang]

I upgraded my laptop from Windows XP to Ubuntu a couple months ago.

It was free and my PC is really fast compared to XP.

At start up I can boot up into either XP or Ubuntu.

[ShadowAce]

[trebb]

Whenever possible, do a clean install instead of an upgrade - there are always some glitches with an upgrade, especially with a system that has been running, and presumably had some "tweaks" done over a period of time.

Other than that, I'm happy with 7, but some folks have told me that 8.1 is nice with the desktop option in effect. I would guess either 7 or 8.1, whichever you can get the best deal on.

[hoosierham]

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.

how about free multi-platform browsers and office programs? SeaMonkey is the modern replacement for and has the functionality of Netscape Communicator. Open Office or Libre Office instead of MS Office.

Ubuntu linux is free to download or cheap to order a CD or DVD.

It is your money but as others have said,it makes more sense to buy a refurbished off-lease system that will be newer and greater capability for less than a MS software disk.

You can buy a nice Dell desktop with Win7 for $100 shipped -do an ebay search. patience will let you eventually find a laptop there or elsewhere. Ham radio flea markets (hamfests) often have vendors with many computers for sale very reasonably.

Honestly if my phone co-op didn’t block the cheap dial-up ISPs I would probably still be using dial-up.If one isn’t downloading videos 56K is quite usable.Browsers (at least some) can beset to load pictures only on your request,etc.

[rarestia]

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.

Problem with your specs is that you don't have the horsepower needed to run Win7 or esp. Win8. They both require a minimum of 1 GB of physical RAM and a multi-core processor. Oh, and Windows 8 is only available in 64-bit.

If you don't want to upgrade your hardware, I'd highly recommend checking out a flavor of Linux. Linux is amazing for web browsing, email, instant messaging, and general duties. Linux is not, however, ideal for gaming at this time. If you're on a machine still running XP, however, I'd guess you weren't doing much in the way of gaming outside of maybe minesweeper or Freecell.

Just my $0.02.

[RckyRaCoCo]

bfl

[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.

[Georgia Girl 2]

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[cva66snipe]

Thanks one and all your replies and advice. I bit the bullet and ordered a new Dell Inspiron 3000 series with 8.1 in it. The modem I can install myself if there's a slot if not I'll use a USB modem.

I had too many reservations about any used machine because I don't know what I'm getting. My machine I know and have confidence in but it will be put to good use on a project I've been wanting to do. I have a bunch of LP's I want to convert to CD's and my old one is set up for it.

The Laptop? No useful to thugs info is used on it so I can hold off on the upgrade a while. Mainly I was using it to download pictures & videos for my sister in Memory Care for her to see her grand kids and for accessing FR etc when wife is in the hospital and I'm staying with her.

Thanks again.

[daniel1212]

To add to your info,

Microsoft is partnering with Laplink, a company that specializes in data migration software. Together, they are offering a data migration tool called PCmover Express for Windows XP free of charge. The software will transfer files, settings and profiles from XP to a newer operating system. It’ll be available later this week from windowsxp.com . - http://www.techspot.com/news/55869-microsoft-to-remind-windows-xp-users-of-pending-end-of-support-date-offers-free-data-migration-tool.html

[roamer_1]

Seven. Home Premium is fine. Don’t know if your box is 64bit compatible, but if it is, it would be worth getting a 64bit used processor for it and going 64 on the installation.

32bit Seven will want at least 2 gigs of ram, but I would recommend 4g... the system can only use 3g (like all 32b win), but if you share video ram, the vid won’t be borrowing from the OS anymore. If 64, sky’s the limit on ram, only limited by what your board can take... 4g is cool, 8g is AWESOME.

No doubt, if you dig around, you can find a blowed-up box with Seven on it that you can get for free. Cut the numbers off it, and put them on your box (I literally cut the number off the old case with tin-snips and attach it to the new with a keychain). You will need to find an OEM Win7 Home Premium disk to install with. Borrow one from a friend and make a copy for your own use.

Then your ‘seven’ is *free*

CLEAN RUB - You are on these tech-threads enough to know. Upgrade or overlay installs are troublesome.