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Fix or replace seven year old Win7 desktop?

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ggeinec

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Sorry for the length. Thanks for your patience. I don't post here often. :-)

I have a Dell XPS 8100 desktop from 2010 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. It has been rock solid stable until a couple of months ago when Windows started warning me the hard drive was about to go. I replaced the original 1TB Western Digital Scorpio hard drive with a new 1TB Western Digital Black Performance hard drive.

Then I restored the most recent Macrium Reflect image of the system partition from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. During that restore process I expanded the system partition from 100GB to 256GB.

Everything appeared to be working fine until a few days later when I tried unsuccessfully to open Napster\Rhapsody. I got errors that I needed to update my DRM components. All attempts to do that failed.

To cut a long story short, eventually I discovered that the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files settings were gone. All attempts to restore these settings result in this error message:

"Please select a value between 8 and 8 for how mush disk space Temporary Internet Files may use."

Searching revealed that this is a pretty common result after replacing system hard drives. There are several solutions that work for some folks but not others. No solutions I found work for me.

This is not good because, among other things, this problem also prevents Windows Update from successfully downloading updates.

To add to the frustration I now am getting "This computer is not running genuine Windows" messages even though it has been genuine for seven years and Start > Computer > Properties shows "Windows is activated" and shows the Product ID number. All attempts to resolve this problem using Microsoft's online and download methods also fail.

Apparently this too is a common problem when replacing a system hard drive. I suspect the hosed Internet Explorer settings is at the heart of all these problems and that none of the solutions work for this PC.

Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.

So - unless this saga triggers anyone's memory for a reasonably quick and straightforward solution(s) to get this PC working again I feel I am being sent The Message that it's time to move on to a new PC and Windows 10.

If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.

Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)

Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.

I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?

Thanks!
 
ggeinec said:
Sorry for the length. Thanks for your patience. I don't post here often. :-)

I have a Dell XPS 8100 desktop from 2010 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. It has been rock solid stable until a couple of months ago when Windows started warning me the hard drive was about to go. I replaced the original 1TB Western Digital Scorpio hard drive with a new 1TB Western Digital Black Performance hard drive.

Then I restored the most recent Macrium Reflect image of the system partition from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. During that restore process I expanded the system partition from 100GB to 256GB.

Everything appeared to be working fine until a few days later when I tried unsuccessfully to open Napster\Rhapsody. I got errors that I needed to update my DRM components. All attempts to do that failed.

To cut a long story short, eventually I discovered that the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files settings were gone. All attempts to restore these settings result in this error message:

"Please select a value between 8 and 8 for how mush disk space Temporary Internet Files may use."

Searching revealed that this is a pretty common result after replacing system hard drives. There are several solutions that work for some folks but not others. No solutions I found work for me.

This is not good because, among other things, this problem also prevents Windows Update from successfully downloading updates.

To add to the frustration I now am getting "This computer is not running genuine Windows" messages even though it has been genuine for seven years and Start > Computer > Properties shows "Windows is activated" and shows the Product ID number. All attempts to resolve this problem using Microsoft's online and download methods also fail.

Apparently this too is a common problem when replacing a system hard drive. I suspect the hosed Internet Explorer settings is at the heart of all these problems and that none of the solutions work for this PC.

Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.

So - unless this saga triggers anyone's memory for a reasonably quick and straightforward solution(s) to get this PC working again I feel I am being sent The Message that it's time to move on to a new PC and Windows 10.

If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.

Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)

Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.

I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I had a Gateway GT5656 that I had for 12 plus years and it just recently gave up the ghost. Over the years, I added new RAM, a couple of hard drives including an SSD, a new graphics card, and two operating systems (XP and 7). The power supply fan started squeaking and I thought I could either replace the fan or re-lubricate. I took apart the power supply to get to the fan and not paying attention (no letting the caps discharge) and I shorted out the PCB (facepalm). I threw the whole chassis (<>hard drive) into the trash and went down to Costco/Best Buy. I purchased a Dell XPS 8910 and added a Samsung M.2 drive and two HDD which is way more than I need for my use of Photoshop and LightRoom. Windows 10 Home isn't bad and it won't take long to get up and running. Knowing what I know now, I could have built my own PC... and I think I might have enjoyed the process.

One caveat, I am no fan of Dells Customer Support, they %$#@$ SUCK! They are the WORST that I have ever dealt with in any industry.
 
ggeinec said:
Sorry for the length. Thanks for your patience. I don't post here often. :-)

I have a Dell XPS 8100 desktop from 2010 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. It has been rock solid stable until a couple of months ago when Windows started warning me the hard drive was about to go. I replaced the original 1TB Western Digital Scorpio hard drive with a new 1TB Western Digital Black Performance hard drive.

Then I restored the most recent Macrium Reflect image of the system partition from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. During that restore process I expanded the system partition from 100GB to 256GB.

Everything appeared to be working fine until a few days later when I tried unsuccessfully to open Napster\Rhapsody. I got errors that I needed to update my DRM components. All attempts to do that failed.

To cut a long story short, eventually I discovered that the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files settings were gone. All attempts to restore these settings result in this error message:

"Please select a value between 8 and 8 for how mush disk space Temporary Internet Files may use."

Searching revealed that this is a pretty common result after replacing system hard drives. There are several solutions that work for some folks but not others. No solutions I found work for me.

This is not good because, among other things, this problem also prevents Windows Update from successfully downloading updates.

To add to the frustration I now am getting "This computer is not running genuine Windows" messages even though it has been genuine for seven years and Start > Computer > Properties shows "Windows is activated" and shows the Product ID number. All attempts to resolve this problem using Microsoft's online and download methods also fail.

Apparently this too is a common problem when replacing a system hard drive. I suspect the hosed Internet Explorer settings is at the heart of all these problems and that none of the solutions work for this PC.

Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.

So - unless this saga triggers anyone's memory for a reasonably quick and straightforward solution(s) to get this PC working again I feel I am being sent The Message that it's time to move on to a new PC and Windows 10.

If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.

Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)

Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.

I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?
Click to expand...
Seven years is a long time, and I'd recommend a new computer with Win10.

Some comments...

1. Interesting that your backup strategy didn't work.

2. MS drove us crazy some years ago by insisting that Internet Explorer is "Part of the Operating System". Seems that this is so, as your are finding to your cost. The most rational solution is to simply use Google Chrome. I've even used it to fix really old and cranky Windows installations that just wouldn't access particular sites.

3. Is there any rational reason for partitioning your HDD? There may be rare cases when it can be a good idea, but I haven't seen them. A separate HDD (or these days, a SSD) can be worthwhile.

4. Reinstalling Win7 from scratch can be a lengthy process, and a fresh install will require multiple updates. "Roll-ups" can be helpful, but I'd recommend Win10 instead.

5. What are you proposing to do here?

I hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

-This sounds like a recipe for the continuation of your problems, or do you mean the data partition? I wouldn't fool with a new computer by doing that. Get one that includes an SSD as part of the deal.
 
Last edited:
ggeinec said:
Sorry for the length. Thanks for your patience. I don't post here often. :-)

I have a Dell XPS 8100 desktop from 2010 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. It has been rock solid stable until a couple of months ago when Windows started warning me the hard drive was about to go. I replaced the original 1TB Western Digital Scorpio hard drive with a new 1TB Western Digital Black Performance hard drive.

Then I restored the most recent Macrium Reflect image of the system partition from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. During that restore process I expanded the system partition from 100GB to 256GB.

Everything appeared to be working fine until a few days later when I tried unsuccessfully to open Napster\Rhapsody. I got errors that I needed to update my DRM components. All attempts to do that failed.

To cut a long story short, eventually I discovered that the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files settings were gone. All attempts to restore these settings result in this error message:

"Please select a value between 8 and 8 for how mush disk space Temporary Internet Files may use."

Searching revealed that this is a pretty common result after replacing system hard drives. There are several solutions that work for some folks but not others. No solutions I found work for me.

This is not good because, among other things, this problem also prevents Windows Update from successfully downloading updates.

To add to the frustration I now am getting "This computer is not running genuine Windows" messages even though it has been genuine for seven years and Start > Computer > Properties shows "Windows is activated" and shows the Product ID number. All attempts to resolve this problem using Microsoft's online and download methods also fail.

Apparently this too is a common problem when replacing a system hard drive. I suspect the hosed Internet Explorer settings is at the heart of all these problems and that none of the solutions work for this PC.

Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.

So - unless this saga triggers anyone's memory for a reasonably quick and straightforward solution(s) to get this PC working again I feel I am being sent The Message that it's time to move on to a new PC and Windows 10.

If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.

Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)

Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.

I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Replace if you can. Win 10 Pro's only advantage is to delay updates so that you can get hit by the exploit the update was designed to protect you from. Like here in the UK where the NHS didn't apply the update to protect against wannacrypt :-)

Ian
 
ggeinec said:
ggeinec wrote:
Fix or replace seven year old Win7 desktop
Click to expand...
Replace.
ggeinec said:
Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.
Click to expand...
Yes a seven year old machine is not worth getting up and running, even as a donation. Some of the parts could be reused if they are newer.
ggeinec said:
If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.
Click to expand...
Slightly crazy that you are deliberating between fixing up an old system, market value about $10, and buying a new system at $1500+. If budget is not a concern to you, why would you be intent on fixing up a 7 year old PC?
ggeinec said:
Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)
Click to expand...
No. This feature is useful to large corporations with custom of legacy software or setups, who need to test updates extensively before use. However if you are spending $1500+ you may as well get the pro version in case it has a feature you need in future. In the past home versions did not have good support for network storage backup for example.
ggeinec said:
Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.
Click to expand...
Do you do anything needing discrete graphics? E.g. 3D gaming, CAD, video editing. If so they you may want a machine like this. If not then you do not need it.
ggeinec said:
I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.
Click to expand...
I would still recommend doing a clean install, although Windows 10 is slightly better than previous versions in that you can "refresh and reset" it to remove crapware. (Whatever you do, the microsoft preinstalled apps need separate steps: https://www.howtogeek.com/224798/ho...-10s-built-in-apps-and-how-to-reinstall-them/).
 
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IanYorke said:
ggeinec said:
Sorry for the length. Thanks for your patience. I don't post here often. :-)

I have a Dell XPS 8100 desktop from 2010 running Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1. It has been rock solid stable until a couple of months ago when Windows started warning me the hard drive was about to go. I replaced the original 1TB Western Digital Scorpio hard drive with a new 1TB Western Digital Black Performance hard drive.

Then I restored the most recent Macrium Reflect image of the system partition from the old hard drive to the new hard drive. During that restore process I expanded the system partition from 100GB to 256GB.

Everything appeared to be working fine until a few days later when I tried unsuccessfully to open Napster\Rhapsody. I got errors that I needed to update my DRM components. All attempts to do that failed.

To cut a long story short, eventually I discovered that the Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files settings were gone. All attempts to restore these settings result in this error message:

"Please select a value between 8 and 8 for how mush disk space Temporary Internet Files may use."

Searching revealed that this is a pretty common result after replacing system hard drives. There are several solutions that work for some folks but not others. No solutions I found work for me.

This is not good because, among other things, this problem also prevents Windows Update from successfully downloading updates.

To add to the frustration I now am getting "This computer is not running genuine Windows" messages even though it has been genuine for seven years and Start > Computer > Properties shows "Windows is activated" and shows the Product ID number. All attempts to resolve this problem using Microsoft's online and download methods also fail.

Apparently this too is a common problem when replacing a system hard drive. I suspect the hosed Internet Explorer settings is at the heart of all these problems and that none of the solutions work for this PC.

Microsoft's final solution is to reinstall Windows from scratch. I prefer not to go there with a seven year old PC.

So - unless this saga triggers anyone's memory for a reasonably quick and straightforward solution(s) to get this PC working again I feel I am being sent The Message that it's time to move on to a new PC and Windows 10.

If I go that route I am inclined to get a Dell XPS 8920, the current version of the PC I have.

Is Windows 10 Pro worth the extra cost if I probably would use only the added ability to delay Windows Updates? (I'm a faithful fan of Susan Bradley's and AskWoody's Windows Update strategies)

Costco has a Dell XPS 8920 with 256GB M.2 SSD, 1TB HDD, 24GB RAM (!), and Radeon RX480 8GB video card for what looks like a reasonable price (I can't match it by trying to build one on Dell's site) and has the two year warranty. But it's about 25% more than I was planning to spend, it's Win 10 Home, not Pro, and the 24GB RAM and RX480 are way overkill for what I need.

I suppose I could get a cheaper configuration with less RAM, a lesser video card, and add in my own M.2 SSD drive and hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Replace if you can. Win 10 Pro's only advantage is to delay updates so that you can get hit by the exploit the update was designed to protect you from. Like here in the UK where the NHS didn't apply the update to protect against wannacrypt :-)

Ian
Click to expand...
+1

It can be a pain that Windows 10 updates when it wants, with limited option to postpone the updates. However, in my experience they've got better at making updates reasonably pain-free with relatively few buggy updates (though still some bugs and problems).

However, as IanYorke says, the problems caused by not installing updates promptly may be much, much worse than any problems caused by the updates.
 
ggeinec said:
What do you think? Fix or replace? What would you do?
Click to expand...
As far as I can tell there's nothing wrong with the hardware. If the performance is acceptable, a clean Windows install will probably solve the problem and make the system run quite a bit faster. Why throw money at it now -- new systems will be faster and cheaper next month/year.

OTOH, if you think the hardware is dodgy or likely to become so in the near future, or if the performance just isn't at the level you need, it would certainly not be unreasonable to invest in a new system.

Just don't buy a brand new machine because you can't be bothered to perform a clean Windows install.
 
Simon Garrett said:
It can be a pain that Windows 10 updates when it wants, with limited option to postpone the updates. However, in my experience they've got better at making updates reasonably pain-free with relatively few buggy updates (though still some bugs and problems).

However, as IanYorke says, the problems caused by not installing updates promptly may be much, much worse than any problems caused by the updates.
Click to expand...
We've seen enough suffering here that I would challenge that.

One can choose to accelerate patching when a zero day exploit is announced. But can't go back in time if MS delivers a turkey. Unless there is a critical vuln, I'm going to let others be the guinea pigs. Even then, I'm going to test on a single one first.
 
OP: if this event is just the drive to do an upgrade after 7 years, and you don't seem to have any hangups about W10, go for it. But don't spend over your budget for a model that isn't even the right fit.

As Malch says, should be able to rebuild on the system that has been doing alright for you. That's a cheap answer for now (should be free, other than time), and let you find the right W10 (or 7!) system to buy.
 
If you have a ton of proggies...replace. If not, give the reinstall Win7 a try, and reserve the option to buy a new Win 10.

Earlier this week I experienced a BSOD followed by a NTLDR missing screen on reboot. Tried all the suggestions on the web, took it to a PC guru who also was unable to resolve. Reload Win7 an option.

I've got a ton of software on my 6-1/2-year-old desktop. Time to move on, get the new SSD/HDD technology, Win10, and 7th gen chip. I'm able to cannibalize some of the components, so it saves something. I'm not going to spend days reloading and re configuring software, and end up doing it again in a year or two. Bite the bullet.

I think a lot of posters might be interested in what you decide and how it turns out...appreciate a followup.

Cheers
 
I have a 7 year old system with an i7-860 2.8Ghz quad core processor, 12.GB RAM, and 1.GB WD Black hard drive, running Windows 10.

It works fine, but I recently got a 1 year newer (only 6 years old) i7-2600 3.4Ghz quad core computer with 16.GB RAM and no hard drive.

I first ran MemTest86 on it, booting from a USB stick, to make sure the RAM is good (it is).

I replaced it's stock power supply with a nicer, more efficient 80+ power supply that I already had (new), added a 128.GB SSD that I already had, and hadn't put to use yet, for the OS and some apps, and ordered and added a new 1.TB WD Black drive for data and some other programs. I installed Window 7 and upgraded to Windows 10 on the SSD, then I added the 1.TB hard drive.

I also ran Prime95 on it to give the CPU a stress test, and to find out peak power usage, and it had no issues, and the CPU fan sped up and slowed down correctly.

The SSD should make the biggest performance difference, but the replacement computer will have a fresh OS install, which should also help performance, and fresh drives, a little more RAM, and a little more CPU speed.

It also uses less power than my old PC, even though it too has an efficient 80+ power supply, due to more efficient components. Idle power usage is roughly 30-40.W on the new PC vs roughly 60-70.W on the old.

In your case, if the current computer is sufficiently powerful for your needs, I'd back up everything, and do a clean OS install, ideally onto a SSD, but even a clean OS install on a hard drive should help, but if it is lacking CPU power, then I'd get the new computer.
 
As a rough rule of thumb I expect to completely upgrade my desktop every 5 - 6 years ago to get appreciably more modern technology and performance, plus avoid the increasing risk of hardware failure (which you have already hit). If you go the repair route instead, even if you don't need the better technology and performance, then you *may* hit another hardware fail, typically the power supply, and finding further replacement parts becomes more difficult.

I'd go the replace route because, if nothing else, you may have lost your confidence in the old kit.
 
WryCuda said:
Seven years is a long time, and I'd recommend a new computer with Win10.

Some comments...

1. Interesting that your backup strategy didn't work.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your response.

I've restored system images to new HDDs and SSDs plenty of times with no issues. I think this problem had more to do with Internet Explorer getting futzed when I restored the image from the old system drive to the new HDD than it did with my backup strategy. Apparently this is a pretty common problem after replacing system hard drives. At least that's what Googling reveals.

I use Firefox as my primary browser so I didn't catch this problem with IE for a few days until I needed to update Flash Player (I know, I know) and IE wouldn't download it. Then I noticed other anomalies that pointed to IE being hosed.
Mystery member said:
3. Is there any rational reason for partitioning your HDD? There may be rare cases when it can be a good idea, but I haven't seen them. A separate HDD (or these days, a SSD) can be worthwhile.
Click to expand...
Lol. Personal preference, to keep the data separate from the OS and the applications. For me it's easier and faster to manage them separately (backups, images, restores).
Mystery member said:
4. Reinstalling Win7 from scratch can be a lengthy process, and a fresh install will require multiple updates. "Roll-ups" can be helpful, but I'd recommend Win10 instead.
Click to expand...
Right.
Mystery member said:
5. What are you proposing to do here?

I hope I don't run into these same problems above when I restore the system partition from the HDD to the SSD.

-This sounds like a recipe for the continuation of your problems, or do you mean the data partition? I wouldn't fool with a new computer by doing that. Get one that includes an SSD as part of the deal.
Click to expand...
That was my way of expressing concern about trying to save $$ by possibly getting a new PC WITHOUT an SSD (since PCs with SSDs tend to be higher priced with components like more RAM and gaming video\graphics cards with more grunt than I need, although I suppose this could be 'rationalized away' as future proofing) and then adding my own SSD and transferring Windows and applications from the HDD to the SSD. As you say, that could put me right back in the situation I am in now.

Yes, I am looking at new desktop PCs that come with an SSD and a HDD. I'm partial to Dells. But also still working on the 'Windows is not genuine' and IE problems on this PC.

I'm running out of patience though on the latter . . .

G.
 
CSMR said:
Slightly crazy that you are deliberating between fixing up an old system, market value about $10, and buying a new system at $1500+. If budget is not a concern to you, why would you be intent on fixing up a 7 year old PC?
Click to expand...
Thanks for responding.

Lol. My preferred price point is about 2/3 of the $1500+ you mention but I get your point. :-) This 7 year old PC did everything I need it to before these two problems cropped up after I had to replace the hard drive. I would prefer to keep it going if I can with a reasonable fix it cost to benefit ratio. That is rapidly running out . . .

G.
 
kelpdiver said:
OP: if this event is just the drive to do an upgrade after 7 years, and you don't seem to have any hangups about W10, go for it. But don't spend over your budget for a model that isn't even the right fit.

As Malch says, should be able to rebuild on the system that has been doing alright for you. That's a cheap answer for now (should be free, other than time), and let you find the right W10 (or 7!) system to buy.
Click to expand...
Thanks for responding.

Points taken.

G.
 
Jim said:
If you have a ton of proggies...replace. If not, give the reinstall Win7 a try, and reserve the option to buy a new Win 10.

... snipped ...

I've got a ton of software on my 6-1/2-year-old desktop. Time to move on, get the new SSD/HDD technology, Win10, and 7th gen chip. I'm able to cannibalize some of the components, so it saves something. I'm not going to spend days reloading and re configuring software, and end up doing it again in a year or two. Bite the bullet.

I think a lot of posters might be interested in what you decide and how it turns out...appreciate a followup.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Thanks for responding.

You pretty much summed up my dilemma at this point.

I'll follow up after I decide what to do. It may be a while.

G.
 
For all the others I didn't directly respond to - thanks for responding!

I am considering all your opinions.

G.
 
What I did with a 7 year old PC. I installed Linux mint. Free. Fast. Free main line programs. Very impressed with the OS and software.

Greg
 
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