Dell Dimension 8200 and Windows XP problem

[PS85]

A not-so-computer-knowledgeable friend has come into possession of a Dell Dimension 8200 and has asked me to help it get running. It has 256MB. Apparently it hasn't been used in a while. As the operating system is XP version 1, I tried going to Microsoft'swebsite to get SPII but apparently the version is too primitive. Also apparently his IE browser is too primitive to update, and I tried to put on Firefox and that won't go either. This is a bucks-down project, of course, but the guy is willing to sink a few bucks into it to get it going. The three major questions I have to ask are:
1. How do I get SPII on this thing? I have a Dell XP disk which I use for one of my computers, can I use it on this one without using up the number of computers I can use it on?
2. How do I update to usably modern browser?
3. Looking at the online documentation, there seems to be four memory modules. How high can the memory go?
3. If I get past that, what old video cards would be useful for increasing performance?

I only had about half an hour to look this thing over and try it. It gets on the internet, but clearly needs updating.

PS: My own level of expertise is that I taught myself way back, and I can do some simple stuff like add memory, video cards and the rest. Not a pro, but I've put my own stuff together and got it to work. Also I'm a self taught audio analog hobbyist, have built and even designed some simple circuits, so I kind of know my way around electronics somewhat.

 

[OlyAR15]

IMO, not even worth trying to do anything with it. Recycle it. Tell your friend to buy a cheap android tablet. Done.

 

[PS85]

It's certainly a thought. But he's got the flat screen monitor and keyboard set up on a computer desk, and if I can update him to usable status for internet surfing, I thought I'd give it a go.

 

[OlyAR15]

Putting an XP system on the internet is a very bad idea. Especially if the user is not technically savvy.

 

[ninaholic37]

I think you need XP SP2 to use Firefox:
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/34.0.5/system-requirements/

I'm not sure why your SP2 didn't work, maybe try this version?
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=28

 

[Ketchup]

You have to do some standalone updates before WU will work.

1. Install SP1
1b. I think you can skip SP2 here and go straight to 3, but if you have issues, get SP2.
2. Install SP3
3. Install IE7 or 8
4. Run Windows update to completion.
4b. You may want to install the registry entry for extended updates.

Keep in mind that after Service Packs and updates are installed, XP will crawl on 256 MB of RAM. Considering the computer probably has DDR I (if not RDRAM), memory upgrades would not be worth it.

My advice: Tell your friend how much it will cost to upgrade to 1 GB of DDR (or RDRAM) and then show him how he can get a newer computer for less money on Craigslist.

 

[lxskllr]

I would put an extremely light GNU/Linux distro on it, especially if the ram won't be upgraded. That won't produce magic. The web's really too fat for 256mb, not to mention the rest of the system needing resources, but it'll make the most of what you have.

As others said, I wouldn't put much money into that system; maybe $20 tops. If you can't buy what you need/scavenge free for that, I wouldn't bother.

 

[escrow4]

Throw it in the bin. Even phones don't come with 256MB RAM anymore (barring grey import knock off's). You need at an absolute minimum 2GB RAM now, more like 4GB to be comfortable.

 

[PS85]

The machine accepts up to 2 GB RAM. I found some used RAM on Ebay, 2 GB, for $24. I'll run that by him, if he doesn't want to go for that I probably won't bother with the machine. I realized even before reading your posts, (but not when I wrote the opening post), that 256MB is not remotely practical even for an old machine.

Now my question is, if we do put in 2B RAM, I assume his video is not going to be so great. Would a used video card on Ebay be able to bring his viewing up to 360 or 480?

 

[lxskllr]

Video should be fine, assuming he won't be running modern 3D games.

 

[Compman55]

The power (electric consumtion) the machine will use for what it can do is not worth operating. Core 2 duo with 2GB ram is minumum.

 

[xgsound]

Keep in mind that the CPU passmark of a pentium 4 1.6 GHz is 189. The lowly AMD c-50 is rated at 447 passmark and an i3 4150 is rated at 5063.

CPUZ will tell you what chipsets and (?AGP) video are present.

I suggest you consider Puppy (very small) linux and if it loads and works use that for efficiency and security reasons.

Jim

 

[VirtualLarry]

IMO, not even worth trying to do anything with it. Recycle it. Tell your friend to buy a cheap android tablet. Done.

Yes, sadly, this. You can get decent tablets for under $100 (Newegg had an Intel CloverTrail dual-core Android tablet with 2GB RAM / 8GB flash for $49.99), that will browse much better than that old clunker.

 

[imported_DigitalX]

Lots of work to get it running.
The 8200 i have is running mint 17

Its got
P4 2.66
1gb rdram
Fx5200 256mb
Usb2 addon card
Can run Youtube video at 360p
Usb wifi

Ps its not my daily pc

 

[gmaster456]

I'd imagine even Mint 17 chugs on that.

 

[takeru]

as others suggested, if it is just for web surfing make do with a light linux distro and wait for a decent computer deal.

this one was going today:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883218045

probably oos by now but you can see what i mean. just be patient and spend towards newer stuff.

 

[John Connor]

Use a good anti-virus on it I think Bitdefender Free may work on XP, but I bet it has to be SP2 minimum. And throw an old version of Comodo firewall on there. I've used computers older than that.

You will need to at least have 2 GB of RAM if you plan on a modern day browser, otherwise you can download an older version. Pale Moon, Cyberfox or Firefox. Just Google old version of those browsers. Like old version of Firefox. If you use Cyberofx make sure you Google Cyberfox x86.

 

[gmaster456]

Use a good anti-virus on it I think Bitdefender Free may work on XP, but I bet it has to be SP2 minimum. And throw an old version of Comodo firewall on there. I've used computers older than that.

You will need to at least have 2 GB of RAM if you plan on a modern day browser, otherwise you can download an older version. Pale Moon, Cyberfox or Firefox. Just Google old version of those browsers. Like old version of Firefox. If you use Cyberofx make sure you Google Cyberfox x86.

Modern web + AV = shit experience even by the standards of that system. With 2gb of RAM it might be somewhat serviceable but as I believe someone pointed out, that CPU is a good deal slower than something like an AMD C-50. Which by many is considered the absolute bare minimum for even the most basic of use on a modern machine.

I think the OPs friend would be best served by something like an off lease C2D machine or something like an HP Stream laptop or chromebook.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Modern web + AV = shit experience even by the standards of that system. With 2gb of RAM it might be somewhat serviceable but as I believe someone pointed out, that CPU is a good deal slower than something like an AMD C-50. Which by many is considered the absolute bare minimum for even the most basic of use on a modern machine.

I think the OPs friend would be best served by something like an off lease C2D machine or something like an HP Stream laptop or chromebook.

Yes. P4 is simply just too old for the modern web. My Foxconn NanoPCs with 1.0Ghz C-70 APUs take 70% CPU time just idling with Firefox and Skype open in Linux Mint 17.

Your P4 would be absolutely swamped, especially if you loaded an A/V.

About the only things a machine of that vintage is good for, is running kids games of around the same vintage, unconnected to the internet.

Edit: check out the Hot Deals forum here, for some tablet deals, and some refurb C2D deals. Most C2D boxes are still pretty usable for the modern web.

 

[lxskllr]

I was using a P4 2.4ghz machine(2Gb ram) as recently as a couple years ago. There wasn't anything I wanted to that was prevented by my hardware. Stuff happened a little slower, but not slow enough to be irritating.

 

[gmaster456]

I was using a P4 2.4ghz machine(2Gb ram) as recently as a couple years ago. There wasn't anything I wanted to that was prevented by my hardware. Stuff happened a little slower, but not slow enough to be irritating.

An 800Mhz difference when talking about P4's is quite large. The difference will be noticeable.

If I recall correctly, the 1GHz Pentium III's also outperformed the 1.6Ghz P4's. The CPU the OP's friend has isn't really usable for anything other than software of that vintage. Certainly not a modern browser and web. Especially coupled with an AV.

 

[Ketchup]

An 800Mhz difference when talking about P4's is quite large. The difference will be noticeable.

If I recall correctly, the 1GHz Pentium III's also outperformed the 1.6Ghz P4's. The CPU the OP's friend has isn't really usable for anything other than software of that vintage. Certainly not a modern browser and web. Especially coupled with an AV.

The P4 name doesn't really tell us enough about the speed here. As you mentioned, the very first P4's were pretty slow. The later ones, as lxskllr mentioned, would probably have enough power to do what is needed. The only way to really know what is in this machine is through the service tag or a program such as CPU-Z.

 

[ArisVer]

In reality you are looking for trouble.

I have recently installed Windows XP Professional SP3 Black 2014 on an old system for fun. It runs well and I have installed Avast AV which works.
The only browsers I have are IE8 (just lost this one somewhere) and Mozilla Firefox 34.0.5. Google Chrome did not install and the error message said that it does not meet the minimum hardware requirements. Pale Moon did not install and the error message said it requires Microsoft Windows Vista or newer. Opera did not install without a specific error message. Watching a youtube video with Mozilla made my CPU go to 100% usage and the video (360p) was slightly choppy. It was using 180MB RAM for this video.
The computer is a single core AMD Athlon XP 1600+ (1.4GHz), 1GB DDR RAM, GeForce 6200 256 RAM (AGP x4). My startup RAM is about 400MB. My normal OS on that computer is Debian XFCE and it's better than the XP. I watched the same video at 360p at 90-95% CPU (browsers memory usage was the same).

I think the computer is somewhat outdated for todays standards. Consider installing Xubuntu (or Mint if you get enough RAM). Get a video card of 128MB onwards and another 500MB RAM (or more) to feel comfortable. Keep in mind this - if you start spending money on this old rig you are doomed (I spend around 300 in that computer about 5-6 years ago and I regret it). If it's just internet you want, as other pointed out, get a tablet; it will work better.

The XP SP3 can be found here and the prerequisites are SP1 or SP2.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=24

 

[lxskllr]

The P4 name doesn't really tell us enough about the speed here. As you mentioned, the very first P4's were pretty slow. The later ones, as lxskllr mentioned, would probably have enough power to do what is needed. The only way to really know what is in this machine is through the service tag or a program such as CPU-Z.

The one I was using was a Northwood. I think that was the first series, but I don't know about the revision number. I still have it somewhere, but all the mbs I have that can run it are dead.

 

[ninaholic37]

I was using a P4 2.4ghz machine(2Gb ram) as recently as a couple years ago. There wasn't anything I wanted to that was prevented by my hardware. Stuff happened a little slower, but not slow enough to be irritating.

To add to this: I use a Pentium M locked at 594Mhz full time (which is apparently ~87% as fast as a Pentium III at 1.0Ghz). I don't use Flash. No problems browsing at all in Firefox 34. Complex youtube videos are a little stuttery but it's definitely functional for everything else, as long as you don't expect everything to load instantaneously. I have no desire to "upgrade".