OK, bear with me because I don't have all the technical information you're going to want. This is for my Mom.

Her 7 year-old computer is so locked up with sharewear that the tech support (she paid $100 for) told her it had to be trashed. It's a Pentium 3, 13 gb, hard drive, running on Windows ME. I know, I know...ME sucks. Tell me something I don't know.

SO here are her options as we see it:
1. Get Windows XP, clear out the hard drive and start over.
2. Get a new hard drive.
3. Shoot the tower, buy a new one and upgrade so she has a DVR so she can burn her photos and do backups.

Dell suggested a Celeron with 80GB, burner, etc. Link: Dell Dimension B110 But is that better than the Pentium 3 she has now? She really only uses the computer for downloading crochet/knit patterns, emailing her friends/grandchildren, and storing her digital photos. She's 72 years-old so it's not like she needs a gaming system. Also, budget is a consideration...but when isn't it?!!

What do you guys think?! I know, I know...you probably need more technical info. So I'll do what I can.

If the only problem wit the system is that it's junked up wit crap, then format an re-install the OS. There are sumthins you'd have to know before upgradin to XP, for example, it needs a minimum of 64mb of memory but it takes 128 jes to barely operate, so instead of XP, look into win 2000, ebay it is the easiest, I've got a copy of 2000 server that I could jes give you but it's not sumthin that'd hep you out hehe

If she needs more space jes run an git another drive an install a freash OS on it, you might have a few driver troubles an stuff so make sure you have all the software before you swap drives etc, though if your worried, you can git another drive, slave the ME drive to it an when winders wants to find software/drivers etc, point it to the slave drive.

Celerons are a cheap pentium chip, they are fine... but aren't the greatest either, I didn't look at that link as it taxes my lappy some but please, whatever you do, stay away from HP, they are a joke, they've always been a joke, they will always be a joke, they make great printers an they should stick wit it.

If it's possible, jes fix er current puter, if you had the model of the mother board we could figure out how much ram it could handle an if you know, what speed is the chip? That way you may be able to keep same hard ware an jes upgrade wit the dvr stuff etc.

Okay going from the PC she has now to the one you linked is like going from a 73 VX Bug to a Mustang......

It's a heck of a lot faster...

I agree with A2J... if the only thing really wrong is shareware crap / spyware / adware... Format reinstall... if you want a better OS I'd switch over to Win 2K XP might choke the life out of the system. If she needs more space justy get another HD slave it to this one, or wipe this one and slave it to the better HD eityher way works....

Before you go out and get a brand new system, Format reinstall... It's my battle cry I do it a few times a year myself......


I have to disagree with A2J about HP computers though... Venger (my laptop), is a sweet HP machine... has given me very few issues over the 2 years I've had it... the only major problem was my AC adapter took a dive because of the way my kids kept crimping the cable.... I've only had to reload my laptop once.... I use that machine every day.... in fact for several months I never powered it down and had it chugging on things all night long... Truthfully it surprised me... I expected it to be a very unreliable machine... I've had serious issues with HP in the past.... and nothing but problems with Compaq....

Dells are great systems.... When I was working at Builders, we bought nothing but Dell and they served us well... my Desktop is a dell Optiplex GX110 prolly about 5-7 years old, was through a flood company threw it out, I grabbed it from the trash, and replaced the motherboard and processor... works like a charm..... Dells are the tank of the Computerworld.... or Timex.... Take a licking and keep on ticking....

ok, I think I get this...

But then there's this other thing, this other issue I have when I try to help my mom. I always mess things up. It's like Murphy's Law. If I touch the computer, she'll be calling me a couple of hours later telling me it doesn't work anymore. Happens every darn time. I could just see my trying to reformat her computer...I'll probably set the house on fire.

That said, I think I might just suggest she buy that Dell that I linked to before. I think it'll be fine for what she needs it for. I mean, she serioulsy just uses it for dowloading knit/crochet patterns, emailing and storing pictures.

It's actually very easy....

All you need is the OS on a CD and set the bios to boot from CD... Then follow on screen instructions...

But the other system is fairly inexpensive too.... so it might just save you the headache and heartache...