Need to upgrade an old PC with XP

[MrInferno]

I have this old Dell Dimension 2350 which is still running on the older Windows XP operating, I just don't feel safe anymore using it even with antivirus/malware/ the works. I was wanting to know if Windows 7 is a good candidate for this older computer. The specs aren't all that great being a very old PC (more than 10 years old). The Dimension 2350 has a Intel P4 2.4Ghz (Northwood), 2GB DDR ram, 82845G Graphics Controller, and a 250GB IDE hard drive. So would 7 be the best for this system or would another version of windows work better?

 

[whs]

I would put Linux on it - maybe Mint Mate

Main Page - Linux Mint

 

[MrInferno]

I would put Linux on it - maybe Mint Mate

Main Page - Linux Mint

I'm not too familiar with Linux and the thing that would worry me is the graphics driver plus audio driver. I know with Windows I think I can get away with using XP drivers by just running in compatibility. I'm not sure exactly how I would go about doing it on Linux.

 

[whs]

Normally the drivers are no problem in Linux - unless you have real strange hardware. Using Mint Mate is pretty easy and always fun to learn something new.

Tips and Tricks for Linux Mint after Installation [Mint 13 to 16 - MATE Edition] | Gizmo's Freeware

 

[fireberd]

The old Dimension, at best, would strain to run Win 7 32 bit OS and even that would be iffy. The older Dell's mostly require Dell supplied drivers due to Dell proprietary hardware. The newer OS' are not supported by Dell. Thus the advice for Linux is a good suggestion.

I've "toyed" around with Ubuntu Linux and it is not too hard to learn, actually "friendly" for Windows users. You can download UBUNTU Linux, burn it to an iso disc, and even run it directly from Disc to try out.
The leading OS for PC, tablet, phone and cloud | Ubuntu

 

[remm]

Linux would be an excellent choice since it's a spare computer and you could play with it at your leisure. And it IS fun to learn different OS's when you aren't reliant on them. Plus I wouldn't worry about the old hardware as Linux will install what it needs to run, automatically. My guess is whatever Linux distro you put on there, it will run flawlessly.

That said, if you really like XP and would like to keep it but for the security issue, just uninstall the AV and use Sandboxie instead. It will keep you 100% safe from Internet threats by containing all Internet activity in a sandbox that is deleted at the end of each browser session. Link is compatible with XP SP3, but if it's not SP3 there are older Sandboxie versions.

But if you don't have any particular affinity to XP, it would behoove you to learn a little about Linux by going that route instead. Learning something new always pays forward one way or another. JMO.

 

[fireberd]

EmmaRoyd, The subject Dell that the original poster has is an Intel CPU/chipset. It is a Dell proprietary motherboard and implementation. No relation to an AMD or a retail Intel motherboard/system.

Edit/Added, the Dell has a proprietary and undocumented front panel connector (one connector with all front panel connections), not a standard ATX with separate motherboard connections. The motherboard mounting holes are usually non standard and the rear I/O panel is stamped into the case, its not an insert like a "retail" ATX motherboard comes with. Thus upgrading is not viable. If the user wanted to upgrade, they would also need a new case and power supply, along with motherboard CPU and memory - actually building a new PC.

 

[strollin]

It depends on what you expect from your computer. I've run 32-bit Win 7 on netbooks with 1.5GB of RAM and they didn't struggle, could even multi-task 3-4 apps at a time. Your P4 with 2GB of RAM should do fine although I would recommend additional RAM if you can swing it. You won't be able to run apps that do heavy graphics (like high end games) but for most tasks like web surfing, email, spreadsheet, word processing, etc... you'll be fine.

 

[paul1149]

I don't want to gang on, but from experience I would say you might be pleasantly surprised by the state of Linux today. And you'll have fewer driver problems with it than with Win7 on the older hardware. Linux Lite is specifically designed to be an excellent stop-off point from Windows, it is much like Win7 and as fast as XP. You could burn a DVD and run it live on the unit without installing to see how it runs. On that hardware I would recommend 32bit.

 

[ThrashZone]

See if there's any ram upgrades,
Crucial.com - Crucial System Scanner

Slap a nice ssd in it and boogie on if a ram upgrade is offered 3gb's for 32 bit is recommended.
Heck an ssd will help any os.

 

[fireberd]

+1 for Crucial memory for a Dell. Older Dell's are finicky and have a history of memory compatibility with many non-Dell brands and will not work. I worked the Dell forums for 10+ years and we always recommended Crucial memory for non-Dell branded memory as it is guaranteed to work in Dell's.

There are other brands that may work - its hit or miss. The exception is the Kingston Value RAM (KVR), it was almost always one that would not work.

 

[ThrashZone]

One more note
You'd also want to change your bios settings from IDE to what ever else is offered.

 

[starchase]

I agree that you may be surprised that W7 may run adequately on this machine. And as for Linux a very slim distribution and newbie friendly version is Peppermint that you can run from the CD to see if you want to run as a dual boot on your current machine. Peppermint has a lot you can use right off the bat, I put it on my wife's net book and she is not computer OS savvy and she's using it great.

John

 

[ThrashZone]

There's not substitute for win-7
Unless no ram upgrade is available then yea I'd 2nd a look at Linux lite

 

[erdos]

win7 32-bit should run well on pc with 2G ram, if you don't throw too much task at it.

what's wrong with xp on it? xp is more efficient with limited RAM.

Linux is a choice too, only if you have time and patience to spare. you probably would find yourself constantly tweaking and fixing issues than using your pc.

 

[bigmck]

Some of you are saying that it will run nicely with 2 GB of RAM. That means nothing. The CPU is what matters. == In answer to the OP question. I have an old Pentium 4 that came with XP. I put Win 7 on it and it is SLOW. Just about too slow to use. Don't bother to try Win 7 on a Pentium. You won't be happy.

 

[whs]

What's wrong with XP on it.

 

[michael diemer]

Another option for an older computer is Mint Xfce. Lighter even than Mate. And it reminds me of XP. If not, there are even lighter Linuxes out there.

 

[BorisTheAnimal]

Why go with Windows(no hate intended)?

There are many other solutions, for example Linux which seems to need like one tenth of what Windows consumes.

I heard some guys on this forum talk wildly about Zorin OS which seems to resemble Windows 7 a lot, you could give it a shot!

 

[whs]

Zorin is nice. I made a Zorin demo once. unfortunately the sound is very low. That was a problem on my end. But maybe you can make it halfway work.

http://www.sevenforums.com/chillout-room/276418-having-fun-zorin.html#post2275421