Windows XP Professional

[tell-me-more]

Hi,

How, legally, could I upgrade from Windows Me to XP Professional? The PC is an old 666MHz machine but has 256Mb RAM. Interested in the cost too.

TIA.

[Sasha-2008]

I'm sure you can buy a cd to urgrade your windows software from Somewhere like PC world or John Lewis.

It will cost a lot though. Not sure how much

[Ethel]

Plenty on Amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&tag=firefox- uk-21&index=blended&link_code=qs&field-keyword s=Windows%20XP&sourceid=Mozilla-search

[tell-me-more]

Thanks for the prompt response.

The problem is, Me is not supported by Microsoft any more, so I gather they're not releasing patches, which means I can't really do banking from the machine.

If the upgrade is going to cost �100 then I might as well spend a bit more and buy another PC.

Any advice on what I can do with the old machine?

Is there another non-microsoft OS that I could install? I'd like to try something non-microsoft for once.

[Ethel]

You would need to upgrade your RAM too, to make the most of XP, otherwise your PC could become very slow.

With the very low cost of computers, I'd be inclined to buy a new pc.
If that is not an option, you could consider running Linux as your OS - it is legitimately free and should run very well on an older pc

[tell-me-more]

Thanks for the link Ethel. There seem to be a lot of different products available.

I see that there is version with Service Pack 2 (OEM) for �50. Would it be cheaper/easier to buy a product specifically for machines that already have Me?

[Ethel]

This is one version on Linux that should be suitable:

http://www.ubuntu.com/

[tell-me-more]

Thanks again Ethel.

It's not just the cost I'm interested in, I just want to make the most of the machine - don't like the thought of just throwing it away.

I would like to try linux - especially if it's free! Do you know if it's difficult to switch from Me to linux? I've heard that MS deliberatley make it difficult for people to not use their products, allegedly.

[Ethel]

I really wouldn't bother with Windows XP to be honest.

All of my pcs were bought with XP on them, and I have had to buy extra memory to keep them running as I like them to - and my processors are much faster than yours.

Seeing as your willing to try - give Ubuntu a go before spending money either on XP or a new PC.

As always, make sure all your files are backed up and print off your passwords if you can't back them up, before you start fiddling.

[Ethel]

You MAY have problems running some hardware and some software, but there are USUALLY drivers available to run the hardware and good alternatives if the software doesn't run.

It is an interesting experience, and of course you can run Ubuntu from a CD without removing ME.

If you try that option bear in mind Ubuntu does not run as quickly from the CD as it does from the hard drive, although it is still very useable.

[tell-me-more]

Sounds wonderful, but do you know what it's like in practice? One of my main motivations is being able to use my banking website securely (co-operative bank)

Is Linux not a product owned by one company in the way that XP is owned by MS?

[tell-me-more]

Would I need to order a CD from somewhere or could I just download ubuntu from the website?

[tell-me-more]

Sorry, I'm reading the site as I go along. It sounds too good to be true!

May I ask Ethel, do you use ubuntu on your own machines?

[Ethel]

I have Ubuntu on my older desktop - I very much like it.

You can download it on to a cd or your hard drive, no need to order it.

It is perfectly safe for online banking.

[tell-me-more]

My instinct was that it would be safe because I'm guessing a criminal would make too little to be interested compared to finding a hole in XP etc.

My concern was that banks might not support ubuntu.

The only reason I ever started to use IE and Outlook (changing from Netscape Communicator) was that the Co-operative Bank didn't support Netscape (at the time).

[tell-me-more]

Baring in mind my current set up can't be used, I guess it's a no-brainer.

I just don't know what to download though! lol

I have another machine as backup, but no home hub and only one internet connection.

I'd like to try ubuntu, but I'm nervous about it getting too difficult for me.

[VHG]

Just to backup what has been said, it is not worth spending any money on your current PC as it is very old and will not run Windows XP very well at all.

You could probably buy a PC system unit (the main PC unit) for not much more than �125 with XP or Vista already on it (if you hunt around) and then use the existing monitor, mouse, keyboard and speakers you already have.

Note that Linux is free but it does not run Windows applications so any Windows products you use will not run on it.

You can use a browser with it of course so you can do any web based activities.

[tell-me-more]

Dammit, is that the time?

I've got to go to work. Thank you so much for your contributions. I've found the forums (fora?!) on the ubuntu website now so I might bother you a bit less from now on.

I'm gonna come straight back online after work to find out more though.

TTFN.

[legend.isgod]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fujitsu-P4-2-4Ghz-40GB-5 12MB-XP-Pro-Loaded-Licenced_W0QQitemZ260333643 531QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_DesktopPCs? hash=item260333643531&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_tr kparms=72%3A1300%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7 C240%3A1318



that would seem to be a better pc than you have , in my non technical mind .

and has xp pro with it.
says its licenced etc

may be worth considering


hope that helps

[VHG]

>I just don't know what to download though! lol

Just to give you a bit of background on Linux.

Linux is not created by one company but by computer experts and IT students all over the world, who all do their bit.

The main Linux code is given away for free, and there are lots of Linux applications that are also free as well.

Many companies take this "free" Linux code, and various free Linux applications, and "package" their own version of Linux.

So there is not just one "linux" there are many, each one packaged for a different audience, or a different environment (like a web server).

Some versions of Linux run directly from a CD, giving you the chance to try it without having to uninstall Windows, so maybe you could try that.

In most cases you will need to download the code, then "burn" a CD that you can then use to install Linux.

There are plenty of people around who can help you with Linux if you get stuck installing it or setting it up.

[VHG]

You can download Ubuntu from here

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

As I said, their are many versions of Linux, and Ubuntu is just one. You may want to ask on AB what people think is the best Linux to use.

Maybe put a new question on here asking

"I am thinking of installing Linux on an old Windows ME PC. Which version would be best and why"

Also, maybe give an indication of how technical you are.