Trying To Update/clean Old Windows Xp Computer

This is a bit ambitious, but I have a old windows xp computer I got in like 2005 or something. I would really like help on how I can fix it up. I want to delete files on it that are old and upgrade it all myself. Im currently cleaning it up, deleting things I know I can and then would like to have it to just use the internet and not be extremely slow. Can anyone advise me on how to do this?? Thanks!

 

Here's a tutorial on MajorGeeks.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/content/page/how_to_make_your_computer_run_like_new_in_4_easy_steps.html

 

This is the scary part to me if you are planning to keep XP on it. XP is just not safe anymore. And the problem is, it is not just a threat to you, the user, but to everyone else on the Internet. This is because bad guys are targeting XP systems. And then those compromised systems are then used to distribute spam and malware, or as zombies in bot-armies conducting DDoS attacks on others - all without the user even knowing their system has been compromised. So I would urge that you NOT allow this XP system to connect to the Internet - if not for your own security, but for everyone else's.

The point is, even if you update XP with all the latest updates, after 12 years (a very long lifetime for any OS version), support (that is new security updates) for XP ended over 2 years ago on April 8, 2014.

That is not to say you cannot still take on this project. It could be a great learning experience and a great opportunity to keep this legacy hardware in service and out of the landfills.

You could install one of the many free and secure Linux versions on it and then use it to surf the Internet, read your email, or just about anything else you want. You could do what I did with my old XP system and that is to repurpose it as a NAS (network attached storage). I put several hard drives in it then used it to store backups of my other systems. I just blocked its Internet access in my router.

If it does not work properly now, the easiest way to delete old files off the drive(s) would be to install those drives into another computer as secondary drives (NOT boot), then delete files, reformat the drive, etc. Or you could install those drives into an external enclosure attached to another drive. If you don't wish to do a "full" (not quick) format on them, I would run chkdsk /r on the drives to make sure they are still functioning properly.

As far as wanting it to not being extremely slow, there may not be anything you can do about that without major upgrades to the hardware. Even today's budget computers can run circles around 10+ year old technologies. At one point, I thought my old XP system was blazingly fast. It didn't get slower - all my newer systems were just so much faster.

Without knowing what's in your system now, we really cannot make any suggestions on that part. But when it comes to hardware upgrades, I always look at adding RAM first because depending on your starting point, adding RAM typically offers the most bang for your money. Plus adding RAM typically does not increase the demands on the power supply significantly. Then I look at upgrading the graphics - especially if previously using integrated graphics as even budget graphics cards can significantly improve computer performance over older integrated graphics. The downside is graphics cards are often the most power hungry devices in our systems and therefore, a new graphics card often requires a larger power supply to support it. If I have maxed out my RAM and have a decent graphics card, then I might look at upgrading the CPU - if I can find one that is compatible with the motherboard at a reasonable price. Upgrading the boot drive to a SSD is something to consider too - if the motherboard supports SATA drives.

 

I actually dont need any files on my computer. I havent used it in over 5 years so anything I needed from it ive already saved to google or on a usb drive. I can wipe it clean I guess. Can I upgrade it to another windows edition for free? I dont know, maybe the computer itself does not have enough of the requirements. I dont know what linux is really. I mean, Ive heard of it, but is the format totally different from windows?

 

Download Speccy, take a screenshot and post it so we can have a look at the hardware.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/Speccy

 

ok, i installed that speccy, and nothing is happening.

 

Run Speccy, wait for it to analyze your PC, take a screenshot and upload it.

 

No, sorry. And there's no certainty a newer version of Windows will be compatible, or that all your hardware makers have developed the necessary drivers.

For Speccy, you have to run it. You can then take a screenshot as Eldon suggested or click on File > Publish Snapshot... . You will be given a link to copy to your clipboard. Do that, then paste that in your next reply. You can see what it says by viewing it in your browser. Speccy is from the same people as CCleaner and is a trustworthy and safe program.

The thing about Linux is that it runs on almost any hardware so I am sure your system requirements are not a problem. All operating systems do pretty much the same thing - they make the various pieces of hardware communicate and work together, and allow users to run programs. The UI (user interface) is very different from Windows so there is a learning curve. But then your cell phone UI was most likely very different and I bet you learned it fairly easily.

 

ok, seriously, its not doing a damn thing. is there anything i can do? Im ready to just wipe this whole computer out and do system restore. this is the best I can do. If I need to click on anything to see other areas of the details just tell me. im about to scream!!!! this computer is a POS!

 

The PC has Windows XP Home Edition SP2. And 512 MB RAM of which just 68 MB is usable. The RAM is enough if you are only using Windows.
Do you have the Windows CD? And the motherboard support CD?

This is not possible...

 

I have no cds. I just want to wipe everything out. Restore it to the factory default. How can I do it?

 

Then you have to re-install Windows.

You can't do that with Windows XP.

You're only real option is to install a Linux distro as mentioned by plodr and Digerati.

 

Ok, well I did restore it to factory settings and now any new drivers has been erased obviously and even after installing the wireless adapter Internet Explorer won't connect me to the Internet cuz everything is out of date. I totally screwed up. Now what do I do?? I'm o my phone now. The only Internet access I have.

 

We cannot help when we don't know what you did.
How did you restore the PC to factory settings?

 

I hit f11 when I started the computer. Then it asked if I wanted to reset it to its factory settings. So I did. It erased everything o the computer and I didn't realize that this computer is so old, 2005 c hc z he CT if if Oh if hc Cy or so, and now even after I I stalled the wireless adapter for my Internet it would t connect because everything is so out of date, and I can't update it cuz internet explorer(6) doesn't know how to connect to the Internet with my wireless setting.

 

This is what it looks like.

 

Nevermind. I figured it out. Got all XPs updates up to date and have Google Chrome. Running pretty smooth for being over 10years old!

 

The first "super computer" that I built was not much different than the PC you have. I'd imagine that it is up-gradable to a certain extent . . . RAM for certain and a video card possibly. It's hard to be certain not knowing the exact model number of the Dell Dimension 3000 you have. You can go to their site and determine exactly what your computer came with, and what can be upgraded. I'd hazard a guess you could go up to at least 2gb of RAM, and if the board has a PCI-e or more probably an AGP slot you can add a video card to it. Both RAM and a video card are good upgrades for an older computer. I've no doubt the CPU could be upgraded, but that's usually deeper then the casual user wants to go.

Like Digerati said, security is an issue. XP is no longer supported by Microsoft and as time goes by, the OS will become increasingly less secure. I highly suggest you use another OS, perhaps a Linux version. I suggest, since you have never used Linux, a light system like Puppy Linux. It has many versions - Slacko is a good one. Great thing about Puppy is you can burn the .iso file to a CD and boot with it. It can be used as what they call a "Live" CD . . . you can try it out without having to install it. If your primary use for the computer is internet browsing, chat, some light paperwork, then this kind of operating system is perfect.

But if you want to stick with XP, I suggest a good software firewall and a good anti-virus. I prefer Avast Antivirus:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/avast_free_edition.html

But since your RAM is low, perhaps Panda might be better, as it is light on
resources: http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/panda_cloud_antivirus.html

For a firewall I use Zone Alarm Free. http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/zonealarm_free.html
In my opinion it has become pretty heavy on resources of late . . . but as it is the only one I have used extensively it's the only one I can recommend.

I also recommend http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/spywareblaster.html . . . it's a handy little program that serves to harden your browsers and prevent net nasties being installed. The free version has to be updated manually, but it's easy to do and I suggest updating it at least once a week, if not more often.

Also, download http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/malwarebytes_anti_malware.html and run it every week or so, or whenever you think something hinky has snuck onto your computer.

Just post if you need help with something, hardware or software.

 

You will need to be sure SP2 and SP3 are installed. An sp4 update is available here.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/det...for_windows_xp_service_pack_2_(kb884020).html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/microsoft_windows_xp_service_pack_3.html
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/windows_xp_service_pack_4_unofficial.html
Wish I was as ambitious, my old XP laptop has 1GB of RAM. Oh well, 'nix is taking my time as of late. Don't use Internet Explorer, and If you take it on line use anti-malware and an antivirus. I don't purchase or bank on line, but that should go w/o saying on XP.

 

Not sure I would trust an "unofficial" service pack. Actually, I know I wouldn't - especially after reading about the problems many had with this unofficial SP4. This SP4 is not just a roll-up of updates that came out after SP3 but includes other features like .NET framework stuff that many don't need or want. All of the "official" updates that came out after SP3 are available and can be installed from the official Microsoft update site.

 

Exactly why I recommend blocking Internet access to this machine. It should be noted too that one of a lot of malware's primary job is to propagate itself to other computers and they start by attacking and attempting to access other computers on your own network.

If there is no desire to get rid of perfectly good hardware (which I fully understand), then I say go with Linux if the hardware does not support W7 or later.

 

Yeah.

 

Hi, did someone say they could help me reprogram this computer to Linux?? I feel unsafe using the internet and Its super slow. All I really want to do is use the internet on it. Plus, Id like to learn something new!

 

Oh, and I was just reading up, the xp service pack 4 is just a combination of service pack 2 and 3. Just to make it easier I guess for some people. At least thats what I found. There is no newer one than 3.

 

No, as I noted above, it includes other features some users may not want. And it is not a Microsoft authorized service pack. That does not automatically suggest it is flawed or worse, malicious, however. Just a need to be cautious.

There are dozens of tutorials out there that explain how to install Linux. I recommend you read/view several of them to "get the feel" for it and find one that fits you best. Note you also need to find the Linux version you want. I no longer dabble in it so can't help you there.