Upgrading 6 yr old PC

[Jackobi]

And for games you can get DirectX 10.1 AGP graphics cards from ATI.

Which would probably require a new PSU.

It wouldn't be a bad system with a power supply, graphics card and memory upgrade. But a bill for £150 wouldn't be far wrong, and it will still be an outdated platform.

 

[Quartz]

It wouldn't be a bad system with a power supply, graphics card and memory upgrade. But a bill for £150 wouldn't be far wrong, and it will still be an outdated platform.

For normal use, just a 2 GB memory upgrade will serve. That's £62 if you buy new. If the OP wants a gaming PC then yes, it's time to buy anew. But I'd go for the memory upgrade anyway: if the PC still isn't good enough, it can be relegated to the duty of spare PC / kids PC / whatever.

 

[Jackobi]

A 1GB stick of memory would bring it to 1.5GB which should be sufficient, spending twice the amount of money for an extra 512MB seems a bit pointless.

 

[Quartz]

A 1GB stick of memory would bring it to 1.5GB which should be sufficient, spending twice the amount of money for an extra 512MB seems a bit pointless.

Actually, it would expand it to 3 GB. The machine has 4 slots: 2x 1 GB + 2x 512 MB.

 

[Jackobi]

I think this particular model ships with 512MB installed.

 

[Quartz]

Per Crucial's website, it takes paired memory, though it can use single DIMMs, so it likely had 2x 256 MB in it. This is also more likely given the age. Thus a 2 GB upgrade would give it 2.5 GB.

 

[scalyboy]

Per Crucial's website, it takes paired memory, though it can use single DIMMs, so it likely had 2x 256 MB in it.

That's right, I opened it up last night - 2 x 256MB and 2 empty slots. I'm going to try the little USB vacuum cleaner thing, and then try reinstalling the OS, and if there is still no improvement it's going in the bin.

The monitor or video card is f***ed now as well - intermittent picture - blackouts every time I touch the mouse
Actually it's NOT the monitor cos I bought a new one at the weekend and it's still acting the goat

 

[Jackobi]

The monitor or video card is f***ed now as well - intermittent picture - blackouts every time I touch the mouse

Not necessarily, it could be caused by corrupt drivers or Windows installation.

 

[Beanburger]

Not necessarily, it could be caused by corrupt drivers

 

[scalyboy]

OK, so I reinstalled Windows XP on the Dimension, now it doesn't recognise my external modem (am now posting from a laptop), and I can't play DVDs any more.Aha ahahahahahahhahahhahahahhhhaaarghhhhhhh.

It's definitely going in the bin now.

 

[spudulike]

I'm not saying it's not a home OS, but it's not to be recommended for someone who feels uncomfortable at the thought of reinstalling Windows.

OK, so I reinstalled Windows XP on the Dimension, now it doesn't recognise my external modem (am now posting from a laptop), and I can't play DVDs any more.Aha ahahahahahahhahahhahahahhhhaaarghhhhhhh.

So you're up to reinstalling XP? It looks like ChrisFilter would say it's time to give Linux a whirl. Puppy and Ubuntu are worth trying.

 

[Jackobi]

OK, so I reinstalled Windows XP on the Dimension, now it doesn't recognise my external modem (am now posting from a laptop), and I can't play DVDs any more.

Is the modem attached to a LAN card? If so you will need to install the LAN card drivers.

It is possible that you have no DVD decoder installed, so XP will not play DVDs. Try installing VLC media player or similar, otherwise update WMP.