Info on Upgrading a PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Newsgroup
  • Start date Start date
N

Newsgroup

Where can one locate information of hardware. In particular what all the
differing pieces do. there is a lot of hype on Vista and I understand not
all the 'old' machines can handle it. I wanted to se if it was possible to
upgrade my existing P4 to make faster with better graphics etc.. Any
suggestions....?

I am using a P4 machine with XP Pro with 1GB DDR mem.
 
Download windows vista upgrade advisor from microsoft,run the utility to
chk any pc for hardware conflicts,if any are present.As far as general pc
info
goes,toms hardware.com probably has more than most since its been around
as long as the web has.
 
The Vista Upgrade Advisor - available from microsoft.com will tell you if
your current hardware is Vista capable/ready, and probably advise you of the
recommended edition of Vista which will run on your current hardware. (I
don't know if that's what you want as far as your question is concerned).

I believe the minimum requirements for Vista Basic is at least 512meg RAM
(1GB recommended) Pentium IV or equivalent CPU.

Whether your perhiperal hardware or expansion cards will work on Vista
that's another issue; you should visit the various manufacturer's websites
for info on Vista driver availability, download and accmulate these - e.g.
burn the files to CD/DVD so they are easily at hand if/when you install
Vista. Bear in mind, newer hardware will be more likely to run under
Vista. Anything "Made for XP" for instance.

I'm not sure what you really mean by "what all the different pieces do".
Can you be more specific with your question?




Eg if you have a Canon printer, visit www.canon.com for downloading their
latest drivers.
Older printers might not be supported - and I don't know how long is
considered "old" as far as hardware is concerned eg a 10 year old printer is
"old" but even a three year old printer might be old, at least anything made
before the release of XP. So "Made for XP" hardware I guess, would be more
likely to work with Vista, if you obtain the correct drivers (if they are
not on the Vista installation media).
 
Newsgroup said:
Where can one locate information of hardware. In particular what all the
differing pieces do. there is a lot of hype on Vista and I understand not
all the 'old' machines can handle it. I wanted to se if it was possible
to upgrade my existing P4 to make faster with better graphics etc.. Any
suggestions....?

I am using a P4 machine with XP Pro with 1GB DDR mem.
Click to expand...

Although the PC has changed somewhat in the past decade, its basically works
the same. Lot of information here is still pertinent:
http://www.pcguide.com/intro/index.htm
The ads and cookies are bad since the site was abandoned by its original
owner.
Dave
 
Where can one locate information of hardware. In particular what
all the differing pieces do. there is a lot of hype on Vista and
I understand not all the 'old' machines can handle it. I wanted
to se if it was possible to upgrade my existing P4 to make faster
with better graphics etc.. Any suggestions....?

I am using a P4 machine with XP Pro with 1GB DDR mem.
Click to expand...

You might be better off upgrading your video card (if needed) and
turning off XP's "eye candy"and un-needed services. Google for
"belarc advisor" to get all of your PC specs.

max
 
Newsgroup said:
Where can one locate information of hardware. In particular what all the
differing pieces do. there is a lot of hype on Vista and I understand not
all the 'old' machines can handle it. I wanted to se if it was possible
to upgrade my existing P4 to make faster with better graphics etc.. Any
suggestions....?

I am using a P4 machine with XP Pro with 1GB DDR mem.
Click to expand...

That's hardly a Model T. But anyway, computers are so
cheap these days compared to piecewise materials plus
labor, that maybe you should consider just buying another
one with all the capabilities you want already installed
and "tuned". Just a thought.
 
Back
Top