Computer guru question

[280plus]

I still have XP. Microsoft essentials is ending its support for XP soon. They suggest if I do not want to upgrade to 8.1 I should go with norton for virus protection. What do you guys recommend I do? I doubt my 8+ YO computer will support 8.1

[lee n. field]

I doubt my 8+ YO computer will support 8.1

Specs on that computer?

If it can run Win 7, go that route, otherwise Linux, or replace.

[RevDisk]

I still have XP. Microsoft essentials is ending its support for XP soon. They suggest if I do not want to upgrade to 8.1 I should go with norton for virus protection. What do you guys recommend I do? I doubt my 8+ YO computer will support 8.1

Between Windows 8.1 and putting a nail through my hand, I'd pick Windows 8.1. If I was told Windows 8.1 and only Metro interface and putting a nail through my hand, I'd put a nail through my hand with no hesitation. Windows 8.1 with Classic Shell installed is generally manageable. Stock Windows 8.1 exists to remind folks there are worse alternatives to Hell.

Buy a copy if Windows 7 or put Linux on it.

[Ben]

Yes, post specs. Enough RAM, or a RAM upgrade, can make an older computer quite manageable with Win7 given other components are not too obsolete.

[280plus]

Intel Pentium R 4 CPU 2.66 Ghz 480MB Ram

[Harold Tuttle]

I recommend an iPad

8 year old computers should have been shelved 3 years ago

[280plus]

Hmmm, new computer or new roof. Tough choice. I really hate computers :(

[Regolith]

There are plenty of good, cheap-as-free antiviruses out there. AVG, Comodo, and Avast! are all decent choices.

[lee n. field]

Intel Pentium R 4 CPU 2.66 Ghz 480MB Ram

Toss.

---edit to add---


I see these things come in all the time, and end up on our recycling shelf.

I'm going to guess, 40GB IE hard disk, probably a CD burner.

It neeeeeeds more RAM.  Half likely it'll max out at 2GB anyway.

This meets minimum specs for Xubuntu

Minimum system requirements

To install or try Xubuntu within the Desktop/Live DVD, you need 256 MB of memory, if you are using the Minimal CD, which uses the non-graphical Debian Installer and downloads packages as you install, you need 128 MB of memory.

Once installed, you should have at least 512 MB of memory.

but not recommended specs.

Recommended system resources

To get a smooth experience when running multiple applications parallel on the desktop, it is recommended to have at least 1 GB of memory.

For XP, this system will just gasp along. 

I would go with Xubuntu 12.04, the Long Term Support version.  That's the last version (AFAIK) that didn't require a processor with PAE support, which I doubt yours has.

[lupinus]

Well damn, I typed up a post earlier today but my phone must have eaten it.

First, specs are going to be important on what it can run.

Secondly, what are you doing? If surfing APS and facebok are about the extent of your internet needs run a good AV software and call it a day.

If you are doing more though, I wouldn't use an unsupported XP. Check specs, see if it can run 7 or 8.1. If not, see if a reasonable upgrade can get you there, hundred bucks for new memory is going to be cheaper obviously than a new computer.

If not and you can swing it, there's always the upgrade option. The average tasks I can think of for an 8 years old XP machine can probably handled easily by a low cost 8.1 PC option.

[280plus]

Probably going to head in the AVG direction for now. All I do is APS, FB and email on yahoo.

[Fitz]

laptops are supah cheep now. you can get a decent surfing laptop for 300 bucks

[RevDisk]

I have the laptop I just bought from dasmi, with linux installed. You're welcome to it if ya need it. Refurbs can be had for under $300.

[280plus]

Thanks Chris, mighty kind of you. I was actually in a computer shop today looking for printer ink and saw some cheap stuff. I'm ok for now so I'll go back there and see what's what as soon as I get the chance.