What to do with an ole Vista/OS laptop?

[Bill_S_1]

The DH got tired of the slooow quirky Vista on her laptop, and it is probably 5 years old, so we replaced it with a new Dell Windows7. OK, that works well, but I'm wondering if I can put the old HP to use as a spare, with a better OS.

I don't know anything about other (free) OS, like Linux or Ubuntu (I just heard that name in another thread this morning). I even think I have a new-in-box Windows XP laying around here for a few years, that may be useful.

Except for Vista, the HP laptop is pretty decent, with card reader, camera, DVD burner, etc. What would you do with it?

[1492]

strollin wrote:
Try here: Win 7 Pro $32.99

What type of MS product key is this? It's not a retail key or OEM for sure? Most likely a volume License(VL) key? But there are different types of VL keys. Is it a rental license key?

These types of VL keys have specific terms/conditions for use. So what's going to prevent MS from revoking the key at some future date?

I couldn't find any company or owner info on the site? The servers are located in the UK, and the registrant for the domain is indicated in NJ. But is it accurate?

Though VL are legitimate MS keys, buying them from a third party is a grey area at minimum. They're technically not supposed to be re-sold, and are commonly used by custom or volume commercial PC system builders. If you're going to buy a VL key from another party, I'd suggest you do so in person and not from a website which could be located anywhere. Also, the person should be able to provide some type of MS authorized VL doc.

[joe_b_]

Keep in mind that a new install of 7 will wipe out all programs and files on your old computer. If you want to keep those intact, then get Window 7 Upgrade. If you still have all your program disks, then a file backup and new install would have worked for me, some of the programs on my old computer that ran on Vista came preloaded on the computer so I have no way to ever reload those program.

[strollin]

Try here: Win 7 Pro $32.99

[Bill_S_1]

1492 wrote:

Bill S. wrote:

Thanks to you all for the suggestions. I think I will check for a deal on Win7, and try that route if it's not too pricey.

Here's one deal for a full install WIN 7 from NewEgg.com, which can also be used for in place upgrade from Vista. It's only good through the weekend.

Thanks! I got it for $78 and free shipping. Now I need to check how much memory is in that laptop; I may need to add some.

[1492]

Bill S. wrote:

Thanks to you all for the suggestions. I think I will check for a deal on Win7, and try that route if it's not too pricey.

Here's one deal for a full install WIN 7 from NewEgg.com, which can also be used for in place upgrade from Vista. It's only good through the weekend.

[2012Coleman]

Keep an eye out for Microsoft to pull back on discontinuing XP support next year. An computer trade report this past week announced that Microsoft is seriously extending XP support because of the poor reception to Win 8 and the number of Windows users (particularly businesses) that are still using Win XP and will not upgrade to Win 8.

Got a link to this so called "Trade Report"? Don't count on this - XP will not be supported after April 4 2014. Windows 7 won't run on older machines - check the hardware requirements for windows 7 first.

[burlmart]

4/17

You need to cleanout the garbage, tune it up, maybe open the back to add a gig of ram for $30, and enjoy an all new OS

[Bill_S_1]

I really appreciate all the responses. I haven't done anything yet, and am still considering what I will do. The computer still works, but as it has been my wifes since it was new int he box, she has complained many times about long times to boot, or page loads, etc.n, and has not been very good at all in keeping up on running Malwarebytes, Super-antispyware, etc. So I do that for her from time to time.

She used it a lot for Skyping with her sisters in Europe, andchecking in on streaming webcams in her home town in Norway. I think a lot of this is memory hog use, and she tends to leave a number of tabs or iterations of IE or Mozilla open at the same time. Her new Dell Win7 is better, so I'm thinking processor speed andlack of memory may be the biggest problem, as well as it being Vista. The computer has never had any virus issues; just the typical for spyware.

But if MS is dropping support for WinXP (which I am using on my reaaaaly old Toshiba laptop (8 years ++), then should I presume they will drop support for Vista?

[Vapor_Trails]

What to do with an older Laptop?

* Wipe the HD and play around with Linux
* Wipe the HD, reinstall the OS and sell or donate it
* Use it as a local file/media server
* Use it as a backup computer for friends/family/guests, etc.
* Harvest it for parts
* Take it out to a field and go all "Office Space - Gangsta" on it :B

[ReadyToGo]

Bill: Slow down on the inplace upgrade to Win 7 on your computer. If you have a lot of junk on the old computer, it will come along with the upgrade. Much better is to either do a reinstall of Vista and then upgrade. Or just do a new install of Win 7. Upgrades can be terrible with old programs installed.
Even though it is 5 years old, go to the mfg website and see what it says about install win 7 on your machine. Also, MS has a site that will indicate whether or not you system is ready for win 7.

[Fizz]

I would not upgrade to Win 7 without wiping the disk clean and starting from scratch. The principal cause of upgrade problems is doing upgrades to existing OS and keeping all the problems it had to start with.

[burlmart]

Assuming you already have 2 W7 machines and a Vista, why spend money to have a 3rd?

Vista can be a stable player, and maybe Aero can be tuned back to speed it up. Did you know that more people run Vista than Apple PCs.

[my440]

Install a log fire screensaver and place laptop in firepit during campfire bans.:B

Seriously tho I would do what others suggest. Install a nice copy of Windows 7... or donate it to someone you may know that may want to fiddle with it and get some use of it.

[1775]

RoyB wrote:
Just a heads up on the Windows XP OS. We are hearing Microsoft will stop making updates available for the Windows XP OS the middle of next year.

My whole setup here is Windows XP based. It works well for all I do with my computers and software I have here at home and bring along with me for my RV trips.

I use the same DELL M90 Workstation Laptop and have it plugged into a docking station at home or remove the laptop and plug it into a similar docking station setup in my RV trailer. I hardly see any difference using the same Laptop for both places... The only difference is really just the speed of the connections. I use high speed cable connections at home and Verizon MIFI 3GB dataplan connections on the road.

Using the docking station I can't remember when I have opened the lid on the laptop haha... The DELL docking station connects to external monitors, keyboards, multiple USB hardrives and other accessories items I have at both places. All I do is just move the DELL M90 workstation laptop between them.

I will probably upgrade my same DELL M90 Workstation laptops to Windows 7 OS when the security updates stops coming.

Just passing along how my computer usage is done with my RV trips.

Roy Ken

Keep an eye out for Microsoft to pull back on discontinuing XP support next year. An computer trade report this past week announced that Microsoft is seriously extending XP support because of the poor reception to Win 8 and the number of Windows users (particularly businesses) that are still using Win XP and will not upgrade to Win 8.