My XP computer

[1Gary]

As some of you know I have had to use my back-up 95 windows computer because my XP computer has been down due to I hope viruses.So on Sunday I took the XP into Lytespeed computers to have them look at it.They are going to charge me $90.00 to look at it(again hope that is all that is wrong with it) and remove the virus.While I was there,I asked them if it could be upgraded to windows 7.They told me it lacked a video card and couldn't be upgraded.I'll be the first one to say I am lacking in computer knowledge and I likely asked the wrong question about a upgrade.

So is there a upgrade I should ask for given a XP??.Which one??.


The monitor I have been using is small and really old.Measured about 11" x 8".Thinking I want a better one,but right now I have to look at the used market.Please suggest what brand name or what models I should look for.

This whole time I have been using this stuff and computers at work which at times the ones at work are as bad as the ones at home.On Friday I went to the library because what I was trying to do here was timing out to use their Dell 2002 computers which I guess in computer tech is out of date.But still I saw what I was missing here and want to try to do what I can about it.

Somewhat computer related,I recently found out the dial-up service is really costing me more then high speed.Going to call them to get high speed finally.

Thank you all in advance for the advise guys,

Gary

[MountainManJoe]

Get a laptop. Then you can lay in bed while posting to ASV.

[ihatemybike]

Away from work I use a Netbook. I haven't asked it to do anything that the little thing couldn't do yet and when I feel the need of a bigger monitor I can plug it into a desktop monitor. Bought two at $300 a piece at Best Buy and had 0% interest for 18 months. On black Friday I saw Netbooks with the same specs as ours on sale for $150.

Word of caution, if you go the Netbook route make sure it has XP or 7 there are a couple really cheap ones running CE and they absolutely suck.

[leadtrombone]

If your needs are basic then the cheAp nettop/netbook/other combos will probably do you fine. You could get a whole set up to replace what you have for under ( maybe way unde) $500. I will add some links here in a little bit to show you what I would suggest.

[leadtrombone]

Laptops - (not netbooks) from 400 - 500 $ - Any of these should be good for your basic computing needs.http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... 20-%20$500

Netbooks - $200 - $300 these have kinda small screens but you can use your old monitor or get a good big one and use it with. Make sure it has a VGA or DVI port in the specs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... 20-%20$300

All in ones - $400 - $500. Monitor and computer in one. These in theis range are mostly nettops with the monitor. Good for your basic needs but not a whole lot more. They don't take a lot of deskspace and you get a decent sized monitor on most of 'em. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... 20-%20$500

Regular desktops - sorta $200 - $300. The non recertified ones are nettops.. but the fist two on this list look pretty ok. No monitor on these for the most part. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... 20-%20$300

I think you will find that a lot of the cheaper netbooks, and nettops might have win XP on them but most of the newest models will have win7 or win7 starter (think less features but should be usable).

There are a lot of option and i know i have bought a complete combo for around $500 with computer + monitor (keyboard and mouse natch). That was a compaq branded deal and it still does me good. It won't play big name games and is slower that my laptop but it still was a good deal. Similar stuff will be around especially at the big box stores.

Don't expect good customer service at those places or even the best info. But sometime they have pretty decent deals. I prefer online retailers like Newegg.com . There are others like tiger direct that have had good reputations.

Good luck. Good Hunting.

(if you post the specs on your current machine i might be able to steer you on the upgradepath if you don't mind the adventure.......)

[mdmead]

I decided to get my daughter a netbook or a notebook for Christmas. On the cheap. Ended up buying her a nice little notebook at Best Buy yesterday for $350.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Asus+-+Lapt ... 8243226535

It's not top of the line, but I figure it is a good compromise. It will serve her well and is cheap enough that I won't be completely pissed if it gets broken or stolen. (Well, I will, but it won't hurt quite as much as dropping $500 or more.)

I discovered there were really no great netbook deals compared to notebooks. For me the key was not having a DVD drive on the netbooks, and the downsized computing power. I'd still like to have one for traveling... if I can get one for $150 to $200. I couldn't find any in that range.

And I gotta say I love Best Buy's buy it online feature. I logged on yesterday morning, bought it, then went to the store around noon to pick it up. Nothing pisses me off more than going to a store and finding the 'great deals' (with only 5 on hand) sold out already.

[1Gary]

Bad news.The XP's mother board is fried.Really don't want a lap top with my sore big hands.

[leadtrombone]

What are you looking at spending on something to replace. What are your computing needs.


here is a all in one for $499 (can save 20$ more right now). Should be good for most basic needs and gets you a decent sized monitor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... -_-Product

[kings-x59]

shop around Gary, the wife and I just bought a toshiba laptop for our oldest daughter at Best Buy for $200 - 2 gig RAM and a 250 gig hard drive.

[1Gary]

Guess I'm going to wait until after the holidays.I keep saying that I have arthritis real bad in both hands combined with really big hands so a laptop is not a consideration.A least not right now.For me to function,I need a desk top and the keys it has.That desk top has to be able to have a usb port for reasonable pictures that will mate up with my camera's Cannon program.The windows 98 that I am typing on right now will not accept that program.

It kind of (sorry guys for the term,but how I feel) sucks the XP is junk.I was sooo looking forward to getting it back and build a little more with a new larger monitor.Them telling me it can't be fixed at a reasonable price is kind of hard for me to accept.Them wanting $500 to $600 with no guarantees sounds like a company that doesn't want to do the work wanting to sell me a new computer.As I said,I don't know much about computers,but I thought the mother boards would be a plug in.They told me the mother board had some burnt capacitors and didn't know if the damage went further until those where replaced.Servers etc.Told me the mother boards are not available any longer,yet windows xp has been extended for support for two yrs.Might get a second opinion........

[MountainManJoe]

What is the problem with your computer, Gary?

I highly recommend you watch these videos before parting with any more greenbacks.
http://www.wimp.com/fixcomputer/
http://www.wimp.com/geeksquad/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx2V0do4vSs
A second opinion is not a bad idea. Better yet, ask your favourite "techie" friend to look at it for a case of beer, or at least ask him to come to the computer shop with you.

As for upgrading, computers are designed for something called "planned obsolescence". Like most disposable consumer products these days, they don't want you using your computer for a long time. Bill Gates decides the newest Windows operating system will only run on the newest processor. Intel decides the newest processor will only plug into the newest motherboard. When they're really feeling creative, the newest motherboard will only fit in the newest metal box, and you might as well throw the whole thing out. This is how the whole industry makes money when all you want to do is get photos from the new camera you got for Christmas (or whatever)

[kamenz]

Gary maybe you should give craigslist a try.You might find a good used one.

[astroturf]

Gary,

I would only add that a decent notebook pc will accommodate an auxiliary monitor and keyboard...

Think full size.

Jim

[MountainManJoe]

That's true. I added a bluetooth keyboard and mouse to mine + a 27" LCD.

I hate the mouse though, I'm thinking about getting a pen tablet or trackball.

[1Gary]

Well I took the xp computer to a second repair shop.They left a msg they could transfer my data to a second computer threw a process which is called "imaging" and they said is experimental.Please guys I need your input.