Need to install new OS for parents

[MR.T]

My parents have an old dell with an Intel 2.4gh Pentium 4 and like a gig of ram. They have been running Windows XP, but it was an old service pack 2 version (they have slow internet so they never updated it). Today they got some bad viruses and I probably will have to just install a new OS. My question is: will their computer run Windows 7 well?

The thing is, they don't really want to spend the money on an new OS with features that they don't really care about. I just want them to have an OS that is secure, that has some form of UAC, like Vista on my PC (I am also too cheap to update to windows 7). If I reinstall XP for them (they have hte original disk floating around somewhere) and use my internet to update it to the latest service pack and what have you, will XP be as safe or nearly as safe as Windows 7?

[Mainer82]

Yes, that computer will have no troubles running Windows 7. For your second question, it will be as safe until the next vulnerability is found.

[Yochanan]

Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and see if it would be worth it. 1 GB RAM is the minimum, but it may be worth a shot if all the hardware is compatible. Myself, I'd recommend reinstalling XP and getting all the updates including SP3. If your internet connection is faster than theirs, I'd recommend downloading SP3 manually and throwing it on a flash drive to bring over. Windows 7 is a bit different than XP, so expect them to ask a lot of questions if they can't find something. "Where's Add or Remove Programs? I can't find it." ;)

[SakuraKira]

Myself, I'd recommend reinstalling XP and getting all the updates including SP3. If your internet connection is faster than theirs, I'd recommend downloading SP3 manually and throwing it on a flash drive to bring over.

I suggest the same thing. If they don't want to spend any money to get a new comp or Windows 7, XP/SP3 should be perfectly fine. I'd recommend downloading and burning an ISO of SP3, so they have it for any future OS installations. Hopefully, Microsoft will release SP4 since there have been a ton of updates since SP3 was released, and you can burn an ISO of that as well when it's released. I always found a fresh installation of XP with service packs and the correct drivers to run very well and be very stable.

If you are going to go the XP route, I also suggest looking at the Elder Geek's guide to XP services. He has a run down of all services, including things that changed between service packs, and differences between XP Home/Pro, as well as what they do, relevance of turning it off/leaving it on.

Do all of that, get it updated, get an antivirus on there with some non-interactive settings, and they should be set until their computer dies naturally or they need more help from you. Good luck!

[Owen W Veteran]

My parents have an old dell with an Intel 2.4gh Pentium 4 and like a gig of ram. They have been running Windows XP, but it was an old service pack 2 version (they have slow internet so they never updated it). Today they got some bad viruses and I probably will have to just install a new OS. My question is: will their computer run Windows 7 well?

The thing is, they don't really want to spend the money on an new OS with features that they don't really care about. I just want them to have an OS that is secure, that has some form of UAC, like Vista on my PC (I am also too cheap to update to windows 7). If I reinstall XP for them (they have hte original disk floating around somewhere) and use my internet to update it to the latest service pack and what have you, will XP be as safe or nearly as safe as Windows 7?

And old OS is only safe as long as people don't focus on exploiting its vunerabilities. Windows 7 has already been proven to be more secure than XP and easier to use.

[Nick Brunt]

Windows 7 is a bit different than XP, so expect them to ask a lot of questions if they can't find something. "Where's Add or Remove Programs? I can't find it." ;)

There's only one thing you need to tell people who can't find stuff on Win7 - "Type it into the start menu!"

[MrTwister]

My parents have an old dell with an Intel 2.4gh Pentium 4 and like a gig of ram. They have been running Windows XP, but it was an old service pack 2 version (they have slow internet so they never updated it). Today they got some bad viruses and I probably will have to just install a new OS. My question is: will their computer run Windows 7 well?

The thing is, they don't really want to spend the money on an new OS with features that they don't really care about. I just want them to have an OS that is secure, that has some form of UAC, like Vista on my PC (I am also too cheap to update to windows 7). If I reinstall XP for them (they have hte original disk floating around somewhere) and use my internet to update it to the latest service pack and what have you, will XP be as safe or nearly as safe as Windows 7?

Just get Windows 7 OEM edition (saves $$). Don't re-install XP unless you need to. Support will be going away soon enough as it is.

[nabz0r Veteran]

Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor and see if it would be worth it. 1 GB RAM is the minimum, but it may be worth a shot if all the hardware is compatible. Myself, I'd recommend reinstalling XP and getting all the updates including SP3. If your internet connection is faster than theirs, I'd recommend downloading SP3 manually and throwing it on a flash drive to bring over. Windows 7 is a bit different than XP, so expect them to ask a lot of questions if they can't find something. "Where's Add or Remove Programs? I can't find it." ;)

Well said! I would recommend it too. I recommend it 'cause a friend of mine has an old Dell P4 and he installed Windows 7 the OS is running good, but not as good as his XP plus that he can't find some drivers for Windows 7 so you may experience the same problem. But you can always try if you have more time. Good luck! :)

[sikhwarrior]

depending on what your parents are going to be doing on the computer either Ubuntu or xp running on them specs