Can I upgrade to XP?

[cowbite]

Ok, here's the story. The current family computer is a Dell L667r desktop that's about 3-4 years old. With me heading off to college and all, my parents aren't really interested in dropping cash into a good computer for themselves. So they get to keep using this one. It's kind of limping along; I'm the member of the house that's keeping this thing running. The parents are fairly clueless about computers. I was planning on completely formatting in the near future. I figured I could try to install XP. Can this sad machine handle it?

Specs:
Windows 98 SE
64MB RAM
Pentium III
I don't really know much else besides that.

Also, is there any way of getting XP minus the $100+? Thanks.

[Netphorian Gadabout]

Even if it's possible, it'd suck hardcore. That amount of RAM is pitiful for XP.

[cowbite]

RAM can be found at pretty decent prices, correct? How much RAM would be needed for XP?

[Mooney]

i think it will run on 128, but it takes up almost that amount, itself, which leaves you with little to go on. ram is cheap.. buy some.

[MstrGhost]

192 is strict minimum to avoid long disc accesses. 512 is "normal"l to me, with 768 I can't complain, and with 1gb I find no difference to 768. But, 192 is vital.

www.crucial.com has memory sticks for your needs.

[wounded]

i have 256 and it runs fine for me

[cowbite]

Sorry about my lack of hardware knowledge.... But how do I find out if a memory card is compatable with my computer?

[MstrGhost]

On a p3 with that age you are using almost surelly pc100 ou pc133, pc133 should be cheaper and works at pc100 too. On any filesharing net you can find "xp pro corporate edition" wich doesn't need activation.

[sickbadthing]

I think you should try it. It will make your computer into a neato fast internet machine.

[cowbite]

Originally posted by MstrGhost
On a p3 with that age you are using almost surelly pc100 ou pc133, pc133 should be cheaper and works at pc100 too. On any filesharing net you can find "xp pro corporate edition" wich doesn't need activation.

Yeah... I checked out the system specs and it says 133. Thanks!

[cowbite]

Ok. So the concensus is that if I get more RAM, XP will be A'ok?

[Lardism]

I've seen XP run on a PII 233 with 256mb ram, you should be good to go with just a bit more ram

[Ann Ominous]

I have a friend that wants to install XP.

But he doesn't have any ram. zero ram.
He has rom instead and some seepee you, whatever that is.

[EverlastingGlaze]

You really need to buy a new computer.

[Nimrod]

Originally posted by cowbite
Sorry about my lack of hardware knowledge.... But how do I find out if a memory card is compatable with my computer?

First, you stop calling it a memory card.

Second, since it's an old PC the RAM is probably more expensive than you think. It's only the widely used RAM that's cheap because everyone wants it, there's competition for it and it's produced in mass quantities.

To find out what kind of RAM you need go to Dell's website or check your manual.

I would suggest not upgrading unless you really know what you're doing.

[obscured01]

Originally posted by EverlastingGlaze
You really need to buy a new computer.

Yeah. But if it's just your parents and they don't really do too much on the computer, I'd just keep win98. It's really not that bad of an os, and I don't think your computer would run any better running XP. In fact, it would probably run worse than keeping what you've got now, considering your computer specs.

[guz]

pretty much what Nimrod said. also, why XP? any specific reason? win2k would run much smoother for you than XP.

[guz]

Originally posted by obscured01
I'd just keep win98. It's really not that bad of an os

when compared to WinMe, maybe. aside from that, you can't get much worse.

[cowbite]

Seeing as my parents aren't too good with computers, I'd figure XP would be a lot more stable and reliable than 98, no?

[killed radio star]

http://forums.anandtech.com

good folk there