About my computer

If your computer will do every thing you need. Then keep it. Some virus programs and other programs will not work with your computer but if you dont need them dont worry about it. Most people see an older computer and try to tell you to get bigger, better but your the one who uses it.

As far as computing goes, it is a fever or bug that people get that keeps them wanting the latest and greatest in a quest to be the ultimate techie.

Basically, if your system performs the tasks you use it for at a comfortable speed without errors and crashes, you're ok.

Windows XP although I still refuse to use it 'yet' has full development and support with Microsoft relesing patches and updates on a regular basis. Older operating systems eventually have support dropped and no new updates are available. Ususally by this time though, people have already worked out the kinks and can help you themselves so support isn't really a need anymore.

Newer hardware will enable more advanced mulitmedia, games and memory/processor intensive applications, but if your needs are simple, this is overkill.

Pretty much only problems you may have at this point would be hardware related as parts age or you may find your hard drive fills easier with today's programs being much larger than before.

I simply can't resist saying, "If it aint broke, don't fix it".

OM

If your computer does what you need to do, there is no reason to upgrade.

I support many older PCs that perform the tasks the user needs just fine.

Now, there are reasons other than improved performance to consider upgrading your PC.

I assume that you are running Windows 95. If you use this PC to go on-line, there are security holes in Windows 95 that are NOT being fixed.
You should do 2 things.
Install a software firewall.
Use a browser other than IE.
Either the older version of Netscape, or Mozilla.

At some point, you will need to replace some piece of hardware that will require a more powerful PC. Your printer is the most likely source of problems here, as very few new printers will run on older hardware.

When you do talk to computer salesmen, rather than opening yourself up by letting them know about your old hardware, tell them you don't presently have a PC.
Then, ONLY deal with a sales-person who takes the time to ask you what you want / need to use the computer for.

Bottom line, if it works for you, save your money until you need a more powerful PC.

Chas

If you are happy go with it!

You have reassured me that my computer is fine if it meets my current needs, which it does.

You have also pointed out that I may have to do a re-think some time in the future, and given clear reasons why.

By the way, I forget to mention I am using Windows 98, so that the reference to possible problems with Windows 95 would not apply, I presume.

Once again, thanks. I think through this website I will gradually become more computer literate.

The best value per Meg for EDO RAM is usually the 64 Meg SIMMs (If the motherboard will support them.)
When you are running with minimum RAM or thinking of upgrading, a program such as Cacheman (free download from www.cnet.com) (Cnet is the parent of TechRepublic) is helpful.
This utility program can monitor RAM, CPU, etc. usage so you can decide what, if anything, needs to be done. Although, right now, it sounds like you do not even need a memory upgrade.
A note here: Disk Cache should usually be twice the memory installed on the Hard Drive. In your case the "Cache RAM" on the drive is probably 1 Meg, so 2Meg Max, 512K Min. You can look this number up on the manufacturers' website. It is part of the hardware specifications of the drive.
Now, on RAM upgrades.
Most tests show that Win98, with a default setup, runs fastest with 192 Meg RAM. (The "sweet spot")
The number increases, when the load on the memory manager is decreased, by doing such things as engaging "conservative swap file usage", etc.
It never gets over 384 Meg RAM, even when every trick is used.
Win98 can not effectively address over 512 Meg RAM.
This is not really a consideration for you.
Most motherboards of this period only supported 256 Meg or 384 Meg RAM.
There is a chipset of this period, that only supports 128 Meg RAM (Intel FX).
Anyway, this is all knowledge for your future use, and is probably not immediately necessary.
Regards, Chris

Thanks jul646 for considering my feelings but, as I said, this technical information stimulates me to rise to the challenge, and become more computer literate.

.
I used to have dozens of Pentium 166 computers in my office that were just fine for word processing, spread sheets, email, Internet browsing, and even the CAD software version of the day. I am constantly upgrading both hardware and software every couple of years, not because I want to, necessarily, but because I have to. The process for me, and it's usually driven by our CAD software, goes something like this. A client will upgrade his CAD software or the vendor "retires" the version we currently have, so we upgrade the software. However, the newer version of the software requires heftier hardware requirements, so we have to upgrade the hardware to accommodate. And so it goes....

If we didn't have a "need" to upgrade, we probably wouldn't. Just like and older car, if it still runs, if it's free of problems, if it looks good, if it still gets you where you want to go, and so on (and if you don't mind NOT having car payments), why buy a new one?

My suggestion would be to determine your need, and then fill it. If it's already filled, why bother? However, with a computer, just like a car, some people always want the newer model, but having the latest and greatest is an expensive proposition. It's a choice and/or balance between want and need.

And the next time a sales person asks you a leading question, don't answer it. When asked what you have, simply say everything I need, or it doesn't matter, or whatever. There's no rule that says you have to answer a question.

Julian,

In the original post, the only details of the system were that it was a P166.

When it was posted that the system had only 32MB of RAM, that altered my opinion of what to do.

Yes, he still does not need a new system.
However, there is room for a significant performance improvement for a relatively small investment.

My first Windows 95 system was a P133 and came with 64MB of RAM. Doubling the RAM to 128MB provided a much more significant performance improvement than stepping up to a 233MMX CPU.

With Windows 98, having more RAM should provide an even better increase in performance than it did for W95.

Chas

For starters, I incorrectly gave the wrong specifications for my Win 98 computer. Where it says "24 MB RAM" this should be "48 MB RAM."

Without going to an open computer market or buying online, it is quite difficult to acquire high MB 72 pin RAM.

However yesterday I contacted a second-hand dealer whom I have known for several years. As he is closing down his computer business in order to concentrate fully on his primary business (manufacturing and distributing a range of salad dressings) he was able to supply me at a very modest price, 12 sticks of 16 MB 72 pin RAM, and 6 sticks of 32 MB SDRAM.

So I have upgraded my Win 98 computer from 48 to 64 MB RAM (there are only 4 memory slots) and there is quite a dramatic increase in speed. So I will be looking out for some 32 MB 72 pin RAM so that I can push it to its maximimum of 128 MB RAM.

Thanks for your comments as it most likely would not have occurred to me that this relatively small upgrade would make such a noticeable difference.

Henceforth I will keep my novice mouth shut, and follow the advice of a seasoned IT Pro.