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What to do with an old PC running XP?

Anonymous user -  
Caribou-22 Posted messages 512 Status Member -
Hello,

I'm trying to recover an old PC from my stepfather. It's a Sony Vaio from 2006 that hasn't been used in years. It was a great PC at the time but has become obsolete today. It runs on Windows XP and Microsoft no longer provides updates for XP. When I open Internet Explorer (version 6!), almost all sites won't load (all the https ones, it seems), and I can't download a newer version of the browser, Microsoft refuses because the PC is not up to date.

Anyway, what can I do with this PC? Or rather, what do you do with your old PCs??

The processor is an Intel Core Duo, 2GHz, 2GB of RAM, and 200GB HDD. I wanted to ask your opinion on what we can do with it since the hardware still works.

Buy a Windows 8 license and install it on it? I'm not sure the PC is powerful enough?

Install additional RAM?

Install a version of Linux?

Here are a few ideas that come to mind without knowing if they are worth it given the age of the PC.

I would be very happy to receive your opinions before buying or doing anything rash. I also think that throwing away a working piece of equipment too quickly is a bit wasteful...

Thank you!

Configuration: Windows 7 / Chrome 44.0.2403.155

5 answers

  1.
    Caribou-22 Posted messages 512 Status Member 114
     
    Hello,
    Your PC is still working fine :) (CPU 2 GHz + 2 GB of RAM)
    You can install a Linux distribution on it without any problem. However, Windows 7 and above are likely to run very slowly.

    As for me, I install Handy Linux on my old PCs, as well as those of my friends. It's a distribution specially designed for beginners, so it's quite accessible and well-documented: http://handylinux.org/

    Otherwise, donate it to an association if you no longer have use for it because it’s far from obsolete with a Linux distribution.

    --
    The only thing Microsoft ever invented that didn't crash was a nail.
    3
  2. Jojo29. Posted messages 6644 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   1 249
     
    Hello,

    Regarding vulnerability, the firewall: https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/3486-securite-le-pare-feu-de-windows-xp
    Apart from that, an XP is still usable on a daily basis.
    1
  3. Anonymous user
     
    Hello,
    You can install Linux Mint, which is very beginner-friendly and well-documented.
    Another option is to donate the PC to Emmaus or to an aid organization for the disadvantaged.
    Your "obsolete" machine will bring joy to a stranger in need.
    --
    I don’t know any more than you do, but I’m looking.
    0
  4. phil2k Posted messages 10841 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 339
     
    Hello

    You can either keep XP by installing another browser like Chrome or Firefox

    Or you can install Linux

    It's up to you to choose what you feel most comfortable with..

    --
    Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
    Teach him to fish and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
    -1
    1. Anonymous user
       
      Staying with XP? I just restored the PC to its factory state and I can't install any updates because Microsoft has stopped support for XP, so it is quite vulnerable to attacks, right?
      Installing Linux: yes, why not, but won't this PC constantly "lag"? Which Linux distribution should I choose? Ubuntu?
      0
    2. phil2k Posted messages 10841 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   2 339
       
      After reinstalling it, install SP3.

      Vulnerable to attacks, but let's not exaggerate.....
      It's true that there will be no more updates, but the existing ones can still be installed.

      For Linux, avoid Ubuntu (this is just my personal opinion) .. very heavy and with a deplorable interface.
      Try Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Mint ...
      You can try them without installing, using a USB drive ..
      0
  6. Anonymous user
     
    Hi,

    The main limitation for a 2006 PC is the BIOS, particularly regarding PAE (Physical Address Extension) compatibility and ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). This might be where you run into issues (both under Linux and Windows). You'll find out early in the installation process.

    Otherwise, given what you’re presenting, a Linux Mint, even with the Cinnamon desktop (the most resource-intensive), will run very well on this PC.

    However, nothing stops you from installing Windows 7 (you can find licenses for €30 on eBay) and then upgrading to Windows 10.

    At worst, you can add some RAM if you find it's lacking under Windows, but I have Windows 7 setups that work well with this kind of configuration.
    -2