upgrade

<p>hi all. can anyone recommend a pdf for upgrading a desktop pc. preferably a simple but complete one aimed at a virgin upgrader.<br>

thanks, take care<br>

al</p>

<p>Robie says: "Insufficient data"</p>

<p>The procedures for updating a S-100 bus computer from the 70s (which it is unlikely that you have) to upgrading a three-year old Dell laptop are going to be, well, different.</p>

<p>Probably the simplest upgrade is simply to switch to some flavor of Linux. Many of the 'distros' may well pull more performance out of even older hardware. Nice open source programs that will do much of what Windows software will do. There are even versions to fit your political persuasions like Estrella Roja, based on the old Red Flag Linux, as I understand.</p>

<p>Despite efforts over many years (the S-100 bus was one) to make computers 'upgradeable', it's rarely proved to be more economical than just buying new hardware in toto (not a dog from Kansas).</p>

<p>There is, by the way, a whole community of people who will do some of the things necessary to pull more performance out of an old machine. Mostly they are fairly cheap, not because they want to be, but because they have to be. If you want to stick to upgrading, I'd talk to one of them to see.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you want to join in the <em><strong>hobby</strong></em> of upgrading PCs, then start your search on the internet. Such hobbyists have their own on-line communities where they trade information on where to find the parts and so on and how to get the most out of an old Kaypro. :) It's lots of fun and keeps many people off the streets at night. Many of these try to raise a buck or two for their hobby by helping others, as referred to immediately above.</p>

<p>By the way, you might also repair your shift key; it doesn't seem to be working. ;)</p><div></div>

<p>IMO, the only hardware upgrades that usually make sense for an older computer are (1) more RAM (which tends to be very cheap and can give a real performance boost) and (2) an outboard hard drive (if the built-in one is fairly full). With those exceptions, I agree with JDM's statement "to make computers 'upgradeable' [has] rarely proved to be more economical than just buying new hardware in toto".</p>

<p>As for Linux: if you need to ask your question, IMO you're not ready for any operating system other than a fairly current Apple (Macintosh) or Microsoft (Windows) product.</p>

<p>As for S-100: wow, ancient history--JDM, can you fish out some old <em>Byte</em> magazines from 1981 or so, so Al can peruse the advertisements? You think a 16K RAM board is within his budget? And should be look for a 300 baud modem, or you suppose 1200 baud is worth the extra cost?</p>

<p>Why yes, I do have some old <em>Byte</em> copies somewhere in the attic as a matter of fact. One of them has a letter by me in it in which I am one of the earliest, if not the first, to use the term "expert tolerant" as opposed to "user friendly". :)<br /> By the way, Linux -- if you don't feel you have to poke around under the hood -- is little harder to use than any older version of Windows. However, I will stipulate that may not apply to Estrella Roja or Red Flag.;)</p>

<p>Am I the only one here who remembers Jerry Pournelle's "User Column"?</p>