Help - buying a new Comp v upgrading old one

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Sly77

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Apr 3, 2001
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Advise required for simple minded person when it comes to computers (ie I can turn one on and use it - but ask me how many meg of RAM I have and I'll scream and run away)

My poor old computer circa 1997 and running Windows 95 - is slow, verrrrry slow, refuses to recognise the mouse (virtually making it useless at the moment!). I have about a year left of needing to use my computer for study purposes - then it will purely be for recreational use (ie very little).

I basically have no idea what to do and I know what sales people are like (PUSHY!)- I'm guessing the options are:

1: Buy a new computer
2: Upgrade the old
3: Have considered a second hand notebook - I really cant see the value in a new one when I really only need it for another year.

Are there any of the above options people would/wouldnt recommend????? Anything I should look out for???? Size (?) requirements etc???

All help would be much appreciated

TA :D
 
Your problems could be corrupted software, which can be fixed by getting somebody to wipe your hard drive clean and reload windows (either 95 or 98) and other software (office etc.).

If it is corrupted software and all you're using it for is word processing, internet and email for the next 12 months I wouldn't bother upgrading.
 

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Originally posted by Perrin
Your problems could be corrupted software, which can be fixed by getting somebody to wipe your hard drive clean and reload windows (either 95 or 98) and other software (office etc.).

If it is corrupted software and all you're using it for is word processing, internet and email for the next 12 months I wouldn't bother upgrading.

So how much would I end up spending doing ALL that as opposed to upgrading in one form or another?

Add a few extra study related programs which use a fair bit of memory to the usage and you've about got it!
 
If you upgrade you are not definately going to have a 100% working computer, and this may force you to upgrade again and again.

It's better value to go fresh and get a new one. They aren't as expensive as they used to be.

And if you want to save money, just buy the box with all the hardware and keep your existing monitor and printer and all that stuff. You'll be surprised how much you can save.
 
Originally posted by Sly77


So how much would I end up spending doing ALL that as opposed to upgrading in one form or another?

Providing you have (or can borrow) a windows CD and the CD's for the program you need, reinstalling should not cost you anything, thats if you or a friend can do it of course. If not I'm sure a computer shop wouldn't charge more than a one hour fee for such a job, providing you give them the software. You might be able to scrounge some old EDO or SD Ram for a few bucks, which might solve your memory problems.

Without knowing your system and the system requirements of the programs you want to run, I can't say if it will work. I would take the time to ID your system specs and the mininum system requirements of the programs you wan't to run and have a talk to somebody in the know about it. You could end up only having to spend $0-$100, as opposed to $1200-$2000 for a new computer. Sure you get peace of mind with a new system, but you'll be poorer for it and if you're not going to be using it much in 12 months time then why bother.
 
Talk to your friends. Maybe they have a brother/male cousin (sorry to sound sexist) who knows a bit about computers. Formatting and reinstalling shouldn't cost you anything (most people do it every few months anyway). And don't run Win 95, its very slow. If possible, install Win2k.

If you want to upgrade, just consider getting more RAM as its the cheapest way to improve computer performance.

Alternatively, look in the trading post. You can get a decent computer for $700 (no monitor, mouse, etc). Better yet, if one of your friends knows a bit about computers, you should consider 'recycling' yours. I.e. Just get a new motherboard and CPU and re-use your current HDD, RAM, Video Card, Sound Card, modem, etc. Would only set you back $250-300 and you'd have a computer almost as good as new.
 

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Help - buying a new Comp v upgrading old one

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