Keep in mind I am NO techie ---I have a desktop that is about 6 years old -- we maxed out the memory -- we replaced it w/ a new computer -- my question is can i put new memory in the old one and let my 14 year old son who is very interested in digital photography and music use it for that alone??? is that possible? cost effective? complicated to do? open to suggestions and ideas
Great sue for an old Desk top I will beat Ken to the punch. From what you have said it sounds like it would make a great computer to try Linux on. Fedora or Ubuntu would work well.
unfortunately i haven't a clue as to how to change operating systems(?) -- is there a reason i would want to?? ease of use? cost? really just looking for a way my son can do his thing with his digital photography & music and keep the newer computer for all the other stuff ---
okay you have to start at tech for dummer dummies for me -- he has a nikon 50 slr if that is helpful --- the extent of my tech knowledge is turning the computer on and off -- and using all the menu driven software -- the rest is a mystery to me --
told you it tech for dummer dummies yes it is digital -- does everything but clean his room and do his laundry -- want to install photoshop on the older revamped computer if possible -- once i figure out how to or if it worth doing ------
A machine 6 years old probably has a .75 to 1.4 processor. That's adequate for digital photo work but it won't be a speed demon. Minimum ram should be 512MB. Dealing with photo's you really don't want "shared" video but it will do the job, just slower. A cheap video card will run $30. Adding the memory and a video card is real easy. But you said you "maxed" it already? Not to get to complicated, but, a BIOS upgrade (just a free software driver from the motherboard manufaturer) may increase the memory capabilities so more memory can be added.
Maybe. You haven't mentioned what OS you're using. Windows 98 might give you a little hassle, Windows 2000 most likely won't (it plays better with USB connected hardware than Windows 98 does). Depends on how much needs to be done, and where you're starting at. As Dr. Dan pointed out, you're looking at about a 550mhz to 1.4mhz processor. If you're at 1.4, throw in some RAM and you're on your way. Lower than a gigahertz machine, you might want to consider a processor upgrade. (A little more technical, but not difficult: http://www.powerleap.com/ I've had great success with a couple of their older kits.) It's only a computer, what doesn't kill it only makes you smarter. The biggest hurdle is going to be operating system. Unless you're already running Windows 2000, you're going to have to invest in a new Windows OS, or go the Linux route. As also pointed out, it's going to be iffy as to whether or not it can help in this instance... and since you're not a "tech" kind of person, I'd almost recommend against it. That said, I threw Ubuntu on my kid's PC, and he was driving around it in no time. If Simply Mepis is even easier to install than Ubuntu, then WOW! I guess, ultimately, if you're wanting to upgrade your system, you're going to be forced to become just a little bit "techie". Come on in... the water's fine.
operation system windows xp home office --- know that at the point we upgraded the os from win 98 we added memory but as i said its full --- can't even run scan disk -- am sure there is a lot that could be deleted but hate those windows that pop up asking if i really want to do so and it might affect some other program etc. etc. etc. --- so i just cancel and bail -- not afraid to get my toes wet just hate when i get so much conflicting advice i don't know where to jump in ---
Are you sure you are out of "memory" or are you out of "Hard Drive" space. There is a big difference in cost and trouble. It would be realitively easy to upgrade your hard drive.
My digital camera, a Kodak, works great with OpenSUSE (Linux) 10.1 I just fired it up and it found it. Plus, I can see all the pictures before downloading them to the 'puter. I just found out last night that my MP3 player will work with SUSE too. SUSE takes a while to download, though. Its five discs. http://www.opensuse.org My computer's older too. A gateway from like '99. I also run Windows 98SE on it.
Ken, do you still have the computer stuff? Son is looking to either buy a new computer or do some upgrading to make his compatable with some program he has to have for school (he is in Computer Simulation classes). You know me, i am computer stupid, but what would you recommend, new computer or upgrade existing He has already rebuilt it from scratch a couple times.
