www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

Thinking of upgrading my computer from XP Home service pack 3, to Vista Or Windiws7. I have checked the specs for both systems, and realise that I will have to upgrade the Ram and maybe the graphics card (direct x9) at the moment.
Any advice on the matter guys,
Rick

What are the hardware specs of the machine? Although it may meet the Microsoft recommended system requirements, they're aren't a great guide for real life use.

I wouldn't bother with an upgrade to Vista. Only upgrade if you can make it to Win7.

Why upgrade?

Is there something that you have/do that specifically requires this upgrade or are you just doing it to 'be current'? There are many, many businesses who simply refuse to upgrade from XP as it is now well proven, stable (as Windows can be....) and just....... works!

If you consider spending additional time, probably a lot of money and a good few hours pulling your hair out a worthwhile consideration then go for it!

Have you considered an open source OS ? Any of the Linux OS's should work on your comp and will cost you nothing at all. Only problem then is getting Win programs to run on it. If you decide to stick with Windows, I reckon your best to stay with XP.
You could always download a Linux OS and make your computer dual boot, by partitioning your HDD (you select which OS, Win or Linux when you start your computer)

Why not run the Windoz 7 upgrade advisor on the Microsoft site http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/wind ... de-advisor that will at least tell you if it will run, make sure your board supports at least 2Gb of ram though any less and it might be a bit sluggish.

Ok after long debate with the guys that built the system, and another computer whizz. I have decided to stick with XP and just upgrade the memory 2GB.
Had already checked on the windows site to see what upgrade it would need, (more memory) which is what I am planning on doing anyway, so I could always go the full hog later on if I chose to!

Whats the differance in HDD and HDD2 memory will either replace the memory in already? which is HDD or can I only fit the same?

Thanks for your help and advise todate,
Cheers Rick.

I've never heard of HDD or HDD2 memory. Do you mean DDR and DDR2? DDR2 is newer, faster and larger DIMMs are possible than with DDR. DDR3 is the latest version.

You can only fit the memory type that's supported by your motherboard as they're incompatible and "keyed" to prevent you inserting the incorrect type. Speak to the guys that built the system to get the correct memory type. There has been the odd motherboard released during transitional periods of memory types that can take two types of RAM, but they're very rare.

Be very careful. I had to purchase a new computer and I was running XP. Unfortunately you cannot buy a comptuer with XP as the OP system. So I had to purchase one with Windows 7. I had hundreds of pounds worth of programs which would not work in Windows 7. Even my Microsoft Office and Microsoft Publisher had to be renewed because of the incompatability with Windows 7. Personally, and a lot of people might disagree with me, I much preferred XP. Vista was a disaster and it was not long before Microsoft realised they had to do something about it and produced Windows 7. Even now there are compatability issues with Windows 7. Sorry but if I had my way I would go back to XP.

First thing is if it aint broke dont fix it.
Me i like playing with PC's, i generally build my own which in all fairness is not difficult. Vista is a big no no, a plie of crap.
Win7 is the most stable OS has ever built.
I tell people that come to me, if it does what you want keep it, why bother upgrading to do the same job a mere few seconds quicker.

If you have older programs, first try them in Compatibilty Mode.

If that doesn't work, you can download a free virtual PC program such as VMWare or Sun Virtual Box (or even MS Virtual PC). Get an XP CD and install XP, using the license from your old computer.

You can then run your old programs and import data into this virtual version of XP that runs inside Windows 7.

If you're a proepr smart arse you can export your entire working XP machine to a virtual machine in Windows 7.

Done computer runs a lot happier and so am I. Fitted an extra 2Ram memory and stayed with XP......as said Why Change?
Thanks all
Rick.

Linux all the way.

Dumped Windoze years ago after being virused. Much good Norton did me.

We have all been changed over to W7 at the office because Micro$oft are stopping support for XP in 2013.
Vista is poo.

There were some compatability issues with the software we use, but they seem to be sorted now.

Tim

Thanks Chuggly, I've been running Ubuntu for about 8 or 9 months now. 0 - blazing the internet in less than 30 seconds (windoze meant putting the kettle on and having breakfast before it had even loaded) Does everything I want (apart from playing Eve online) Eve online is the only reason I'd consider going back to Win products, and that will only be when I buy a new computer with Win already loaded, but I will make it dual boot with a Linux OS.

Try Puppy linux.

It is light, 120mb all in or you can go for one of the derivatives which are tailored to different tasks.

Puppy 5.28 has almost everything you need plus a software repo to get more.

If you are running a reasonable spec pc it really flies as it runs in RAM, so takes a short while to boot from a CD, but once running, slicker than snot. Install to a USB stick & check your BIOS to make sure you can boot from USB. Once running from USB, create a save file- you will be prompted- & you are away. You can take it with you & have your OS in your pocket. It also plays practically any multi media you throw at it without having to find codecs & the like.

As for Eve online, try installing Wine then seeing if it will run from within that.
Wine is an emulator for a windows environment. It runs word/excel & a load of other stuff & it is in the Ubuntu repo.

If you need to run Windoze, try installing the PUEL version of Virtual Box. I run XP inside Linux & it is more stable than running native.

You can take a snapshot of the OS then if you make an ar$e of something and Windoze gets wasted, (Dont you think that is a lovely shade of blue) just reload the snapshot & you are away again in seconds.
Great for trying out all sorts of stuff. No need to worry, snapshot before you start, then reload if you make a boo boo or you don't like the result.

Tim

I did try running Eve in Wine, but to be honest gave up with the jerky graphics and the god damn lag. Took forever to load the necessary packages that Wine needed to run Eve too.. Had to download lots of things that I thought Wine would already have, some MS fonts, certain scripts etc. Biggest let down though, was the fact that CCP used to support Linux then gave up on it a few years back.
Gonna try Playonlinux and see if that's any better.