Putting new windows os on used computer

My wife got a "used" computer from their office bc they upgraded and I was going to give that to my parents since they are running windows xp and they are scared to use their computer after the 8th. It doesn't have any name brand on the outside of it and I'm unsure of he drivers or whatever I need to reinstall. I know when we first got it I tried to hook it up and it didn't have certain privaleges on it. Will installing a new OS wipe out all this info and start fresh again?

 

Wiping it & installing a fresh copy of Windows will eliminate any permission issues. Windows 8 should have a default set of drivers built that will allow it to be usable while you figure out where to get the correct software.

What is their pc skill level. You may be better off installing a version of Linux instead of buying W8. If the pc does not meet the minimum specs to run W8, it will still perform well using Linux. I would run Linux Mint or Ubuntu for low level users. Linux is also free.

 

Odds are the computer won't be able to run Win8 very effectively, and if you have to upgrade go to Win7. But as zomg said above linux is also pretty cool definitely has a learning curve but it's free. Also installing a new OS you will wipe all the info on the computer.

Good luck

 

Also, look and see if there's an XP license code sticker on the case someplace. If so, you can wipe and reinstall XP on that box, which you know will run, using that same key. That'll wipe out any privs issues, give you an OS you know will work, and give them an interface they can use.

Plus, what I would recommend, is to do this and make an image of the machine. Show them how to save anything they care about to a thumb drive. Anything goes wrong with the machine? Infection? Malware? Just re-image the thing.

 

If the PC has trouble running Windows 8 then it will most likely have similar issues running Windows 7, while Linux will work well on nearly all old hardware.

Do not reinstall XP, because it will be a ever increasing security/malware nightmare. XP needs to die. Let it go.

Imaging works well in theory & in large organizations where the end users have no admin access to the PC & are fairly proficient in their use. When dealing with nontechnical users (old people) it is best to limit the likelihood of mistakes. Everyone I know lately has been switching their parents over to Linux, with the result being that forgetting how to log in is the biggest problem. No more tiresome malware removal or imaging process.

 

omg .. I don't think I could handle the level of tech support that would require

 

It is an investment in future sanity. Sure there is a bit of initial learning, but the pay off is no more spyware or viruses or crappy toolbars, etc.

 

I think their current computer has 512MB of Ram and a small GB hard drive. I think the computer from my wife's work has 2GB of Ram and a bigger GB hard drive than what my parents have currently. Thats why I thought the computer my wife got would work with either windows 7 or 8. My dad and I went to Best buy yesterday and we saw a laptop that had windows 8 on it and I showed him its a little different and would take a little learning. I just got upgraded a few months ago at work to 7 and I think its a lot like xp and vista from what I know. It doesn't have that quick start apps screen that you have to find the picture of show the desktop for it to look like xp, vista, or 7.

 

http://www.neowin.net/news/classic-shell-406

I would also go with Win 7 if you're buying the OS (you can get a Home Premium for around $85 from online places like TigerDirect or Newegg). You may also want to get a RAM(memory) upgrade to at least 4GB.

If you look on the bottom or pull the battery it may have a s/n or some such number or manufacturer identification to go off of.

 

the one that my wife got from her work is a tower so I will be just replacing his current tower since hes got a desktop

 

desktop is even easier to upgrade some parts, and cheap too. see what you can find on the tower as far as identification (any pics would help) and we can go from there

 

Thanks, I will try to do that tonight. I will go ahead and see if I can plug it up and see what kind of hard drive and memory it has.

 

x2

I tried that once, it lasted all of half a day before they screamed how they couldn't find Office and how they couldn't find anything in Open Office.
For a simple grandparent computer, it has to work just like their neighbor's machine.

 

I'm guessing it's a 'home-built' if it doesn't have identifications.

I think a live cd would be best to pull system specs. I think knoppix does that?

 

The person that suggested putting Linux on it has obviously never had to support users who don't know Linux. Get a copy of 32 bit Windows 7 home edition and call it a day. Not gonna be a screamer by any means, but it will do the job.

 

Any of the major linux distros do that nowadays. I use a lot of mint and other ubuntu derivatives and they all do it

 

^amen to that, even Win7 scares those who cling to XP but at least it's got most of the layout the same

 

Yeah I haven't really messed with Windows 8 enough to be able to answer many questions my dad may have if he get 8, but I'm trying to convince him to get 7. My aunt has 8 and its really different and everytime I go help them with their computer I have to relearn it.

 

I just built my new PC and installed win 8.1 on it. so, i'll try to give a couple thoughts from this experience:

1) there are basically two different "ways" to install win 8/8.1. one is to install in "UEFI mode" and one is the "legacy BIOS mode", ...now, this isn't something you are presented with a prompt/option during install, ..you have to make the decision before you install, and take the appropriate steps...

- if you choose to install in UEFI mode, you'll need to make sure your hardware (mobo, BIOS) supports UEFI. make sure in the BIOS the boot mode option is set to UEFI or similar. when you go to install the OS from your installation media, you generally bring up the boot menu as the BIOS is loading, and this is critical, that you select the media (whether it's from a DVD or USB drive) with the "UEFI" description (you'll generally see your input devices appearing twice in the boot menu, each one has a "UEFI" instance and a regular instance). then, after selecting the appropriate boot device, you'll continue on w/ the usual installation from the OS install media.

- if you choose not to install in UEFI mode, then you'll basically "not" do the things described above...

the thing about doing a UEFI install is that it provides you with more security features and supposedly the bootup time is very fast.. I can attest to that, as I installed mine as UEFI, and it boots in a couple of seconds (having its installed on an SSD can't hurt either)...

keep in mind, once you install, in one mode or the other, you can't just "switch" between the two later on. to do that you'd have to re-install the OS in the desired mode.

that said, thus far, i'm really liking win 8.1! it's fast, fluid, and pretty intuitive once you pick up on transitioning between views. you have a "desktop" and your programs appear in an "apps" view rather than the old start menu. I kinda like the apps view.

hope that helps a little, good luck!

 

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