Flak Jackets Are Not A Myth!
There are many sentimental possessions which must be evaluated after long ownership for either refurbishing or the dreaded "donate to charity." You have an older computer in you room trembling whenever the "donate" word is mentioned and is carefully calculating the tearjerking story of long and faithful service in spite of your foul-ups. We all come to this point and must evaluate objectively:
1. Can the computer be enhanced further by addition of memory or overdrive processors? Carefully examine the make, model and serial number of your unit to determine feasbility. Go to a site like www.crucial.com to feed in the information just taken to determine availablity of memory and cost factor. This isn't the only place one can go, but will give you a good idea initially of the price range. Maintain a dialogue with your older computer that this isn't the end of the world and no harsh measures are being taken to terminate its life with prejudice. In fact, if you don't already have it, subscribe to cable television and go to a channel like Tech TV for the computer to bond with. It will make your life easier as the unit carefully and delicately takes over the cable provider. You may be rich if the More Mature Unit decides to make a deal with you; if not, find a good Commodore 128.
2. Another option is to check on your aging chip processor to see if it can be upgraded by an overdrive processor. I have used Evergreen in the past and excellent results have been found through their technology. It is beneficial to navigate to their website to ascertain if an overdrive processor is available. The Evergreen website is:
http://www.evertech.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=14&CFID=10343496&CFTOKEN=78977940
There are other companies out there, like PNY, that did make overdrive processors, but their websites would need to be surveyed to determine if processors are still being produced.
Be very careful when saying the word, overdrive processors, for older computers have very acute hearing and get very excited at the prospect of regaining their youth. Their quasi-hormones begin flaring up and before you know it you've got a raging teenager on your hands. Best to keep it quiet until all the facts are in and then sneak the device into the unit while the little beastie is sleeping. Then, upon awakening, the computer can claim divine intervention and sit around glassy eyed instead of romping and stomping like a teenager. On the other hand, the glassy eyed approach may be self-defeating also since I found servers my unit contacted via modem received a sermon prior to full connection. They aren't born televangelists, but aspire to be cybervangelists! Tsk, Tsk.....
3. Finally, you have all your data together, things are looking good and then a decision must be made regarding the type of operating system desired. There are many different routes depending on your memory capability and processor speed. Generally, one should decide which Microsoft operating system would be best since each successive release was more memory intensive than the prior release. This becomes more evident in XP if further MS programs like Office, etc., are added and may jeopardized overall operation. Thus a Senior System, or as mine prefers to be addressed, a More Mature Unit, should be evaluated for an operating system that takes full advantage of its new capability and not one that bends the envelope into distortions thus catapulting the unit into the Twilight Zone.
I have found older operating systems like Windows 98 SE are excellent platforms after all the security packages, etc., have been installed. Not as schnazzy as XP, but outstanding for More Mature Units and will last a long time. Another consideration is, my favorite, SUSE Linux 9.3. SUSE has came a long way in developing a user friendly GUI and software availability now is outstanding! Secondly, this operating system can literally whiz along on 16MB of memory that would stymy Windows into slowness like oil in 5 below zero temperature. I use a carriage system interchangng harddrives between XP and Linux 9.2 with 768MB Ram. Linux gives me no difficulty other than learning a slightly different way of thinking and operation; but that can be overcome with concentration. Its a consideration for some of you who want the best in these days of least.
Now, a very difficult area to consider>how to advise your More Mature Unit you are contemplating placing Linux on the harddrive as an operating system. I would recommend the following: make an audio cassette tape using a completely steel recording unit. Place the unit and prerecorded tape close to the More Mature Unit with an automatic turn-on feature preferably when you are not at home. Activate the recording player and go for a walk, in fact, a very long walk to perhaps Berlin, Paris or Vladivostock. Gaze carefully through your front door window upon return for any evidence of pilfering, contamination or wanton destruction. If nothing is noted, proceed to unlock your front door and quietly enter precluding any conversation to give your position away. Tippy toe to wherever the More Mature Unit is located and casually pop your head into the room and inquire how everything has been the past few days noting the following:
a. Thunderbolts thrown in your direction are a good indication the Linux suggestion has not been fully appreciated. Consider another option fast!!.
b. Overfriendliness by the MMU (More Mature Unit) is automatically suspicious since it may be a precursor to curling your hair or a complete meltdown. Always ascertain if the sincereity is genuine or just another ploy to blow your human mind. Ask the million dollar question right away: "Well, did you find the Linux thing sounded good or do you prefer to remain Microsoft?" Bubbling lava regurgitating from the tower is an excellent indication the MMU is highly agitated and you may want to consider contacting the Fire Department Contamination Cleanup Unit. No need to be overly concerned until their arrival, since prosthetic devices to replace arms or legs are relatively cheap, but avoid costly hosptialization if possible. Conversely, a normal humming is positive and then all one has to determine is which of the processing systems would be best for the MMU. Approach this is a most positive manner and expressly emphasize which would be best....remember, its only a major electrical shock if you choose the wrong one and hair does grow back rapidly. Calmly and with mature voice sound out the name of each operating system to the MMU and give time for adequate response. Disregard the moans, groans and efforts to spread forth an index finger-regard this as a gesture of appreciation! And don't fall for the cookies and milk routine!! After finding out, you've got a happy machine for a few more years to come.
See how easy it is to convert MMU into happy productive member of society again with the least amount of hair follicles and body parts affected. Be proud of your cerebral approach to this potentially difficult task and impart all the gathered information to a friend who may be confronted with the same dilemma.
Oh, Windows 98 or ME security changes, etc, can be automatically download for installation while the more modern thinking Linux can be installed automatically after hookup to your ISP. Regardless, stroke the MMU with words befitting their age and always remember to appreciate the amount of accumulated wisdom this elder possesses. Be proud and your MMU will be proud with you until a screwup occurs and the the MMU will remind you, in the best grandparent fashion, where your head probably is, isn't, or should be depending on MHZ speed of memory.