Computer help forum: What is the best os for my newly aquiered old desktop?

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user _Windows_Man_

Learn mode

by Willy - 1/27/13 7:53 PM

In Reply to: What is the best os for my newly aquiered old desktop? by _Windows_Man_

Well, check the HP support website and find your model# PC and note down all the specs. You're windows is XP for now and ever as that's as far as it will go. Add all the ram it can handle and probably increase HD size maybe to 80gb or better, if you like. Sorry, when it comes to OS installs you need to provide the drivers and HP support should have what came with the system. Otherwise, know what is present and find the proper drivers for that product, XP drivers. Its not that hard overall, but you do have to assure you're getting the right ones. If you're willing to spend $, then consider that this will be better spend on a true P4(2.4ghz or better) or even dual core if you find one.

If you like check out the use of Linux OS, such a Ubuntu. Use the live version that runs off the CD in order to get a feel for it.

IMHO, you may have picked a too old of PC other for playing and getting to know more, education in the making. I just think you're not going to get a hot PC out of this other than for learning. Check your local Craigslist or eBay for other offering. Craigslist, you can put search or request if possible. Also FreeCycle maybe active in your area, post there too.

tada -----Willy

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Ubuntu sucks and I just want something cheap to do "stuff"

by _Windows_Man_ - 1/28/13 2:13 PM

In Reply to: Learn mode by Willy

I've tried Ubuntu on a good system(3gb ram and Pentium D, 70gb HD) it sucked. I know to skip on any other Windows newer than ME but my sister had one just like it just larger HD and this one reminds me of when
I used to play webkinz on that beast. It's a memory and I like it, it helps me to remember my "childhood" even though I'm still a child. Would you happen to know if an old version of Mac would run on this machine because I've got some old floppy disk with games on them and really want to play them, but they only work on Mac. I know nothing about Mac and it would be great to know some specs.

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I see little leeway

by Willy - 1/28/13 7:43 PM

In Reply to: Ubuntu sucks and I just want something cheap to do "stuff" by _Windows_Man_

Plain fact, you're not going to run Mac s/w on a IBM type PC. You could run Linux and that may get you to a Mac side. However, you find Linux not good enough. Like I stated you're not going to go far other than s/w like win9x or Me, but XP is applicable though on the low side. If you want see what s/w can run, then look at the s/w requirements, it should be well spelled out.

Besides Ubuntu, there are many Linux OSes out there, maybe even Lindows could work, or Konnix, etc. Linux d/l OS websites should give a list and you can try them all and they're free, usually. Some of these Linux run on "live CDs" which can give an idea of the look and feel of them, check it out. google for free OS or Linux downloads.

http://www.freeos.com/
http://en.softonic.com/s/linux-os-free-download-full-version

Otherwise, you need to look at used Mac PCs to really on that side. ------Willy

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user _Windows_Man_

Given the rather low end PC. Skip Windows.

by R. Proffitt - 1/27/13 9:29 PM

In Reply to: What is the best os for my newly aquiered old desktop? by _Windows_Man_

Try a few of the Linux OSes as they are free and you rarely have to hunt down drivers.
Bob

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Most Linux suck but. . .

by _Windows_Man_ - 1/28/13 2:19 PM

In Reply to: Given the rather low end PC. Skip Windows. by R. Proffitt

Zorin, I've use it my Dell E520 which is a rather decent computer but will Zorin even run on such crappy hardware?

As I said to Willy though is that Mac could be nice but if you know a lot about Linux could you get me some proof that Linux doesn't SUCK!

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Then run a windows from the days the machine was out?

by R. Proffitt - 1/28/13 2:27 PM

In Reply to: Most Linux suck but. . . by _Windows_Man_

What's stopping you from running an OS that fits the PC in question?

Or just being patient. Example at link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGXERfhe-Oo

Your PC is 8 times faster and twice the ram. So what's stopping you?
Bob

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user _Windows_Man_

Re: recently bought a PC

by Kees_B - 1/28/13 2:29 PM

In Reply to: What is the best os for my newly aquiered old desktop? by _Windows_Man_

That's a nice machine to run Windows 98 SE on, if you still have an installation CD. But, indeed, Windows ME is an option also.

The price of such a machine must be negative. That is, the owner doesn't find the time to bring it to the recycling and pays you to do that.

Kees

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The fee near Boston, MA, USA for that was 55 bucks in 2010.

by R. Proffitt - 1/28/13 4:09 PM

In Reply to: Re: recently bought a PC by Kees_B

I don't want to know what it is today.

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Answer Best answer as chosen by user _Windows_Man_

You can buy

by itsdigger - 1/28/13 4:28 PM

In Reply to: What is the best os for my newly aquiered old desktop? by _Windows_Man_

Windows 98 or ME pretty cheap here>>> http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=186/form_keyword=windows+98/rd=1/st=query hope this helps ..Digger

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