Which OS Should I Run?

[Sachiel03]

Well...Im in sort of a bind here....And I need your guys help.

I have this ancient computer...Here is what i know about it.

Gateway

AMD Athlon processor

9.5 GB HD

128 Mb RAM

After running 98 on it for quite a while,I switched to XP because i was tired of not being able to get the latest software.

XP runs ok,but when i multitask it locks up and lags like you wouldnt believe.

I mainly use my computer for Flash/graphic creation & editing/music/etc.

I need an OS that will run decent on my PC...Ive seriously considered Linux,but id have no internet access,my Ark Linux thread explains that.

Would Windows 2000 be a good choice?

I do apologize for the help threads,I dont want it to seem like i only come here asking for help,I just havent had a lot of free time lately,and its hard to enjoy my time on the internet with such a poor PC.

Any suggestions?

[Leader Desslock]

The first question to ask is: What Do You Need The Computer To Do? The choice of OS comes from the answer to that question.

You make Flash graphics and do music editing. Okay. So the obvious questions would be:

1) What software do you use to make these graphics and edit your music
2) What are the minimum OS specs for those pieces of software.

Unless you intend to go back to older software or purchase new software for the new OS, your choice of OS will be determined from what your software needs to run. Whatever will run them all is what you should choose.

128MB of RAM isn't a lot for modern OS's and applications, so let me ask the next most obvious question: Can the machine take any more RAM? Check your specs and upgrade the RAM if you need to. It'll make XP happier, I think. It'll also make Win2K happier if you go that route.

Personal preference: Win2K Pro. I use it, it runs great for me. I don't like XP, but I'll confess that the main reason I don't like XP has more to do with the number of XP systems I've had to fix because someone didn't know how to set it up and use XP correctly. There's less I have to disable when setting up a Win2K Pro box, compared to what I have to disable on an XP box.

In terms of what you want to do, there's probably not that big a difference between XP and Win2K.

[Sachiel03]

When I said music,I just meant listening to it not editing :) sorry for the mix-up.

Well what i mainly use is:

Flash

Fireworks

Limewire

and AIM

I run all of these at the same time,and whenever i do my computer tends to lag and frequently freeze.

I was looking at the BSD site,and their OS sounds pretty nice,but im not sure if they support USB,like Linux.

And im not expecting to buy any PC upgrades anytime soon,im kinda on a budget ;) but if its cheap please reccomend it.

[Samurai Drifter]

Your computer is quite old, so don't expect to be able to run a lot of more recent programs on it. You can try to upgrade the RAM, but be sure you know your way around the inside of your machine quite well, as Gateway (Dell too) makes their computers really hard to work inside.

I'm guessing the reason that you're sticking with such an old computer is that you don't have the money for a new one. If that's the case then yes, I think Win2k will be a lot easier on your computer. XP is too advanced for it to run well.

I wouldn't recommend this to most people on AN, but if graphics creation/flash and music editing are the two main things you use your computer for, I would recommend switching over to Mac at some point when you have the money. Mac isn't a good choice for people who are really into gaming, but it's well known to have far more advanced graphics editing capabilities than PCs. Animation studios/art schools use Macs for this reason. If that's your main objective, that would be my recommendation.

But if you're just looking for an OS that will go easier on the machine you have and still have some good options, Windows 2000 would be a good choice.

[Sachiel03]

Thanks for that.I dont do any PC gaming what-so-ever,besides the every now and then game on Flashplayer (www.flashplayer.com)

Ive also been looking into XUbuntu Linux (http://www.xubuntu.org/) and BSD (http://www.freebsd.org/).

XUbuntu looks really good for my PC..Any opinions?

I really do appreciate all the help guys.

[Leader Desslock]

And im not expecting to buy any PC upgrades anytime soon,im kinda on a budget ;) but if its cheap please reccomend it.
That's why I *did* recommend it. An extra 128 MB of RAM is gonna be around $20-$30. That should bring you up to a level where XP is going to be happy.

Comparing that to the price of Win2k... it's your cheapest option.

[Neo0tak0n]

You want linux, try something easy like Fedora, then work your way up to other distros if that one doesn't fit your style.

[master terrence]

for you and your needs, windows 2000 shoul be fitting. I"d stay away from linux and such because it may just lead to more hardware confusion for you. I don't know much about Fedora and it's capabilities, so that may not be a bad idea.


I have 512 mb and my XP runs smooth :thumbsup: .

[Sachiel03]

That's why I *did* recommend it. An extra 128 MB of RAM is gonna be around $20-$30. That should bring you up to a level where XP is going to be happy.

Comparing that to the price of Win2k... it's your cheapest option.

Oh im sorry,I had no idea RAM upgrades were cheap :blink:

Where can i buy them?

[Danju]

Oh im sorry,I had no idea RAM upgrades were cheap :blink:

Where can i buy them?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2000170147+1052307855&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=147

[Soluzar]

Oh im sorry,I had no idea RAM upgrades were cheap :blink:

Where can i buy them?

Primarily online, unless you want no-name RAM that will cost up to twice as much. That's what you'll invariably get shopping in any retail store.

[Sachiel03]

Ok sounds good.

But im not expecting extra cash from my parents for a while...And im too young for a credit card.

Dont wal-mart or anyone sell them?

[Danju]

Ok sounds good.

But im not expecting extra cash from my parents for a while...And im too young for a credit card.

Dont wal-mart or anyone sell them?
Primarily online, unless you want no-name RAM that will cost up to twice as much. That's what you'll invariably get shopping in any retail store.
There you have it.

[Chicito]

Not just RAM, you need a bigger Harddrive, 10 gigs isn't gonna get you anywhere nowadays.

[master terrence]

I"m thinking you should replace the hard drive all together, but it may be a bit expensive. I can't believe you can function on 10 gigs. Though I don't know how much hard drive space you NEED(ya, there is a (requirement close to 1 gig I'm guessing) to run one of the newer OS's, but you do need some kind of buffer (don't fill it up obviously). maybe you can get an external hard drive.

[Soluzar]

At this stage, it might be better to start saving for a new PC. I agree that your hard drive needs replacing, and probably so does your graphics card. You haven't said what your processor is, but I'm sure it's not all that new.

That's a lot of expense to go to for an old PC. I'd suggest buying a piece at a time, and custom-building your own PC... if you can manage it.

[VSh]

Sachiel03, the best choice for your computer is Windows 98 SE. IMHO, it is also the best OS created by M$. For Windows 2000 you will need at least another 128MB memory. Buy it at not big special computer store. If you live near some big city, your area probably has plenty of them kept by Chinese people. OK, if not Chinese, then Russian, Taiwanese, etc. You got the point. Just pay attention on return policy in case is doesn't work.

Go to http://www.mdgx.com/, read carefully, and use all that applicable. It would be good for any Windows.

I always say that to try some open source alternative would be great. In your case you probably can't use Fedora or SUSE. Their hardware requirements are not less than XP's. Ubuntu and Vector are good choices. Just pay attention: there is flashplayer for Linux but there is no shockwave. Damn Small and Puppy Linux are also very good to play with. I personally like Puppy very much. You can run it on your Windows machine even without repartitioning of hard drive. For BSD systems (FreeBSD, NetBSD, or OpenBSD) you need some administration skills. I recommend you to try Linux before.

Ask anything you need. You can PM me also.

Good luck,

[Sachiel03]

I was looking at the Ubuntu site,and they have an alternative OS called Xubuntu,for lower grade PCs...Heres the link (http://www.xubuntu.org/)

Is this a better alternative?

[VSh]

I didn't try it but Xubuntu looks good. As I understand the main difference is that Xubuntu utilizes XFCE instead of Gnome or KDE. It's good, XFCE is much lighter and simpler. Try it.

It isn't recommendation, but after some time I stopped using all of them. You couldn't believe, I use fvwm2, my desktop is plain dark blue with nothing, no icons, no bars, only Pager and WinList.

[Fobb]

I usually did stuff like that on my old Win 2000 *tear* and they worked fine. Maybe I have lowered standards?

[Gray]

Youre not gonna be able to do too much Music or anything on a 10 GB HD. Unless all you do is play it off the CD.

[Sachiel03]

I was scouring a flea market (good bargains they have!) and someone was selling an 80GB internal HD,still in the package,for 55$.Is that a good deal?

I can get that eventually,but only if its a bargain i dont wanna get ripped.

[Fobb]

I was scouring a flea market (good bargains they have!) and someone was selling an 80GB internal HD,still in the package,for 55$.Is that a good deal?

I can get that eventually,but only if its a bargain i dont wanna get ripped.
DOUBLE SCOOP (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1892385&Sku=TSD-160M4)

[Sachiel03]

:D

Incredible.

So i was gonna get ripped!That swine!

[VSh]

DOUBLE SCOOP (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1892385&Sku=TSD-160M4)
Only if you have SATA. Otherwise buy this (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=146129&CatId=0). And keep away from Maxtor.

[master terrence]

for the maxtor one:

Important Note: OEM hard drives do not include cables, software, or hardware (screws, brackets, etc.). Full manufacturer's warranty applies.

Please Note: In order to properly access the full capacity of an ATA interface hard drive or partition larger than 137GB and properly support 48-bit logical block addressing, Windows XP Service Pack 1 or Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 are required. This issue does not affect SCSI hard drives.
and make sure you have Serial ATA-300 interface.


do you have an mp3 player by any chance that you are going to use with this computer?

[Amuro]

In any case, applications run significantly slower under Windows 2000 than under 98 on older computers. XP was supposed to retain the functionality of 2000 while removing the performance gap between it and 98, although not all computers are capable of running XP properly.

Honestly, if you're having trouble with XP, I'd just go with 98. I remember how "evil" XP was considered during the first year or so of its release.. although I believe the main reason for that (it attaching itself to a particular computer) may have been removed with later updates.. *shrug*

[Leader Desslock]

for the maxtor one:...
Oh, but that's not all. No. On a Maxtor drive, you can install the OS correctly, partition it into chunks smaller than 137 GB, and do whatever else you want - and it will still fall apart. Even through the documentation that comes with the drive insists that you'll be fine with <137GB partitions, and even though the testing utility that ships with the drive reports no errors, even though their partition tool insists that <137GB partitions are perfectly fine - they're not. The system will corrupt, and you'll lose a hell of a lot of data.

I have the t-shirt on this. Trust me.

There's a Maxtor utility called BigDriveEnabler.exe that you have to run if you're going to make a stable Windows system on a Maxtor drive >137GB, regardless of HOW you partition it. You have to search their site to find it. They don't call attention to it. I only found it after digging through their TechSupport archives. It appears to work for me; my system is no longer tearing itself apart.

Or, as suggested, you could avoid Maxtor drives. They're cheap for a reason. When they die, they die completely, and with very little warning.

[Hara!]

That computer is horrible. sell it to a museum. or give it to me.

[Sachiel03]

That computer is horrible. sell it to a museum. or give it to me.

><

Im well aware of this,trust me :P

My parents just wont give in!They believe theres no need to update!

My PC is 8 years old!!!

Today my dad tried running Google Earth,yeah right!

[5YN-fitik]

testing.. !

[master terrence]

><

Im well aware of this,trust me :P

My parents just wont give in!They believe theres no need to update!

My PC is 8 years old!!!

Today my dad tried running Google Earth,yeah right!


10 gigs and you share with your family... i feel sorry for you.

[Haro!]

Start a "get this brotha' a new computer" charity. Have a flyer with a picture of your computer, list the specs under it and walk around with a jar.
Strictly from my own experience, the computer I had at work seemed about the same age and HDD size as yours and ran pretty well on Win2k. (Luckily I got that replaced when one of the executives pissed off our tech)

[Sachiel03]

Well ive decided on Windows 98 my friends.

and it runs like a champ :D!

I was stupid for putting XP on my PC!

And i still have that XP feel with the eXPerience Pack (http://www.majorgeeks.com/eXPerience_Pack_d1910.html).I strongly reccommend this to all 98/95 users.

And ill be buying an ethernet card from wal-mart for 12.45 to install and use.

And when i get that ill use my Puppy Linux (http://www.puppylinux.org/user/viewpage.php?page_id=1) that I got.

I really do appreciate all the help guys.Oh and i will be getting a HD upgrade!Turns out were getting a new PC soon and this PC goes in my room!My dad said once its in my room i can do whatever i want to with it.