When is it time to buy a new computer?

[melanie2]

Ok so my computer is almost six years old..we bought it in June 2004..my very first ever computer in my life..anyhoo..lately somethings are slow to download..llike certain profiles on another forum..i defrag and clean up my hard drive on a regular basis..now the latest thing that bugs me..when i start my computer..after it's all done starting up etc..it takes several clicks before my browser opens up...and sometimes not even then..then i re start the computer..again several clicks...then restart once again..this time, after several tries in getting that damn browser open...it finally works..is this the result of an ancient computer?? hubby said for me to try turning the dates back some, he says that sometimes works...thanks..

 

[the_jimmy_james]

Older versions of Windows gunk up and you need to re-install the system sometimes. Otherwise I'd guess the computer is fine. I own and regularly use 'puters from 1999 and 2000, and one from 1996, and they're all in tip-top shape.

 

[Smade1]

If you've got 6 years out of your hard disk then you have done very well. I either replace the drive or get a bigger one as backup within 2 years. I also tend to re-install Windows every couple of years as well as it becomes choked with old install files after that time.

Hard drives are really cheap now but you will probably find that the old type of drive pata/ide are now more expensive and have less capacity for the money than the new sata drives. Unfortunately the new type of drive won't work with the older systems and needs an adaptor card. I've just bought a 1.5tb dirve for £75 and adaptor card for £20.

So in order of cost I would recommend the following:

backup all files, reinstall windows

install new drive, re-install windws, use oringinal disc as backup in the system.

Istall SATA card & new disc otherwise as above.

 

[the_jimmy_james]

Standard ATA drives can still be easily found, and six years out of a hard disk? Um... I still have a large number of fixed disks running from the 1980s 😛 Even more from the 1990s.

Unless they're shaken around, the only thing that's really at high risk of failure is the spindle motor, but remember, those things are rated at rather high MTBF. The average lifespan should be in the 40+ year range, and that's actually quite true. The devices are highly resilient. A properly ventilated hard drive should run for years.

 

[melanie2]

Ok stupid question time..how do i re install Windows? and will i lose everything as a result?

 

[the_jimmy_james]

You re-install Windows using the installer CD or DVD that came with your computer - or - By going to the store and purchasing a retail copy of Windows. It's not really all that hard. Unfortunately it's something that I guess has to be done to Windows releases before Vista.

Oh no. I mentioned Vista, I can hear the whiners revving up their keyboards to baw about it now.

 

[melanie2]

You re-install Windows using the installer CD or DVD that came with your computer - or - By going to the store and purchasing a retail copy of Windows. It's not really all that hard. Unfortunately it's something that I guess has to be done to Windows releases before Vista.

Oh no. I mentioned Vista, I can hear the whiners revving up their keyboards to baw about it now.

ahh ok now i understand..this is something that my husband must do, as i'd be afraid of ruining something..i mean he can show me and i can do it..i have installed a webcam before.. but will i lose everything or not?

 

[locker669]

If you have the money I'd say get a new computer.

 

[seanwoj1]

^^What he said. You're still a Cougar BTW. :stickout

 

[the_jimmy_james]

It'll cost a fraction to do a few upgrades than it will to purchase a new computer.

 

[kopfhorer1]

Sounds to me, Izzy, like your Windoze installation has become corrupt.

If all you're doing is basic stuff - surfing the web, office stuff, chat, light-duty photo manipulation - then as long as your machine is in good shape, why not keep on using it, or at least assign it to pinch-hit duty? Get a new hard drive, install Windoze or Linux from scratch (always on a new or reformatted hard drive, otherwise whatever buggishness the old installation had will be carried forward into the new install), then install your favorite programs. By starting with a new hard drive, you eliminate the time spent transferring your existing files to an external hard drive (you can even turn an internal hard drive into an external one with some fairly inexpensive IDE or SATA to USB adapters).

The only time you need a new computer is if the old one no longer serves your needs.