Need Windows 8.1 Pro desktops for small business.

[nOOky]

My wife's clinic is on 8.1 Pro yet due to compatibility with the veterinary software version she wishes to use. We recently had two PC's go down due to HDD failures. We replaced those, but she'd like to buy a couple spares to have around until she decides to upgrade everything to Win 10. FWIW that upgrade including the new server and 9 other desktop PC's will cost quite a bit more than buying a couple spares so that's why she wants to stay there for a few years yet.

She has bought a couple off of Amazon, but installing the .net framework always stalls and never finishes despite everything I've tried. For some reason they just won't upgrade via Windows update or manually downloading the update per Microsoft KB suggestions. She doesn't need much, just a SFF unit with 4 gigabytes of RAM and anything over an i3 CPU and integrated graphics etc.

I'm either looking at building a couple, or looking for a reputable refurbished unit that will update, or help getting 8.1 Pro to accept and install updates. Weird issue, i know.

 

[crashtech]

Would she consider keeping a couple of laptops around, since the requirements are so modest? Something like a Thinkpad T440 would be perfect, and can be found for a couple hundred bucks with Win 8.1 already installed.

 

[Ketchup]

What model are the units she got off Amazon? What version of .net is being installed? IIRC, some versions are enabled under programs and features, not downloaded straight from the web, in 8.1.