What to do about OS on old computer?

I have a new computer now but I thought I might try to use the my old computer which was getting too slow for the kids. Delete a lot and try to get it running a bit faster like back in the old days.

Originally Windows 98SE
Gateway PIII 750 with 384MB memory
Now Dual Boot 98 and XP Pro done with system commander 2000
has a second HD 27GB


My problem is that since doing a lot of research for my new computer I have found that my XP pro OS doesn't have a proper key and won't update now. A friend loaded XP on my system a long long time ago but if I remember, I think I had to format my drive and had lost my key so silly me got one from the net. Well this turned out to be a problem...No updates so it is not really secure.

The question is, what to do?
- Can you help me get my XP OS updated and secure? ( I like XP)
- Should I just run Windows 98SE (still have the discs and key)
- or should I maybe scrap XP and use a Linux OS; maybe Ubuntu or Gos
(How ? What do I need to do?)

- Or should I just scap it and save for a cheap more up to date computer and set up network?

Any ideas or advice would be great.

I have a prblems with my ld computer which could require major effort to get rid of. Ex. black screens, shutdowns, screen resonution changing to low res all the time, slow slow slow bot up etc.

Thanks for your help

 

ubuntu or some other form of linux might be a good idea, not too hard of a learning curve either. maybe someone else can recommend a sleeker, faster distro of linux to run on an older machine. http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

I agree, a Linux OS would really be a great way to go.

Here is a Linux distributions page that will help you choose based on your needs.

I recently installed Ubuntu on one of my Laptops and it's great. However, Debian based Linux Operating systems seem to be better at detecting hardware drivers which would make things a bit easier. Have fun

 

Linux Mint is very user friendly. The live CD will just boot and let you try out the OS without installing. It should give you internet and the interface looks much like Windows.

You should check out the link for different distributions. Once you download a Live CD (about 700mb) they should each run from the bootable to see which one you like. Burning a Cd only cost 50 cents or so you can try a few versions.

 

Sounds like you have a pirated version of XP so that's out. Like the others said, *nix would be the way to go and would work better than '98 on that P111. I'm running Ubuntu and slowly getting used to it but that's because I also run Windows 7 as my main OS.

 

If you really want to keep XP, you can buy a key from Microsoft to make it a legit copy. Other than that, I would make the switch to Linux.

 

Might be able to find your XP key with SIW (System Information for Windows).
http://www.majorgeeks.com/SIW_System_Info_d4387.html

Go to the left and click Licenses.

 

Did xp come on this computer to start with? If so you might be able to
find an operating system restore CD on ebay. But be sure you are geting
the OPERATING SYSTEM CD some listings can be a little misleading refering
to the driver disk as the restore cd. But if you do a restore you probably lose
all thats on your hard drive.