I have an HP pavilion computer that has Windows XP on it. I bought it in Dec. 2001. I also have another computer that is a Dell that has Windows ME on it. It was purchased back in 95, but works just fine. My HP computer isn't working; there's a few different thing wrong with it. I would like to take the Windows XP from the HP and install it onto the Dell computer. But the computer didn't come with an install disk. Is there some way that I can create a disk to transfer it to the Dell computer? The HP has a migration kit on it that explains how to transfer files from one computer to another. It also has Files and Setting Transfer Wizard on it. But neither of those would work for want I'm wanting to do, would they?

By Adilanylkoorb on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 04:51 pm:

Does anyone have a wireless keyboard and mouse for your desktop? If so, how do you like it? I'm thinking about buying these as well as a new monitor (mine's going out) and a printer.

By Luvn29 on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 05:33 pm:

I had a wireless mouse a year or two ago and hated it! It seemed like it had a mind of it's own! I have an optical mouse now and love it.

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 07:18 am:

I have both wireless keyboard and mouse for my desktop - LOVE it. Also have a wireless mouse for my laptop. We ALSO have side-by-side, 22" Acer flat panels - once you get used to using that, you HATE to go back to a single monitor.

Printers - I *highly* recommend HP. I have owned several over the last 11 years. My last one was a multi function (printer/scanner/copier/fax) and it was THE best printer I've ever owned - great print/scan/copy quality, VERY easy to use. The people who did all the work on our house last year broke it (I *think* intentionally - looks like they threw a brick or something large and heavy on top of it.....GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR) so we had to buy a new one. DH did his *research* and insisted on a Canon Pixma 830 - I HATE it. It doesn't cooperate with ANY computer it's hooked up to, though the print quality is excellent. I don't like the scanner/copier - it cuts off too much of the *perimeter* of what you are copying, and it goes through ink like pee in a diaper. Next printer, we are going back to HP!

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 08:08 am:

We've been happy with our HP printers, too! I just got a 22" LG monitor with a 10,000:1 contrast ratio! It's very nice!

You have 2 monitors hooked up to your computer, Karen? How does that work?

By Karen~admin on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 08:15 am:

I have no idea how it's configured, my friend who built the computer set it all up for me. You can drag things from one screen to the other! We got a screaming fast new computer in Feb. - it has four, 500gb hard drives & 4gb of RAM. LOVE it. It's so fast - and I love having the 2 monitors. It's great if you are working with photos, in excel, etc.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 08:12 am:

I'm drooling, Karen! I only have 512mb RAM and DH said I can only get more RAM if we get a new computer, since the RAM is rambus RAM and it's really expensive.

Dreamweaver and Paint Shop Pro take a long time to open, although once open, they work fine.

Dell Dimension 8100 Memory

As you can see, the prices are high!

I saw some pictures of 2 monitors. I don't have enough room on my computer desk for that! Looks cool, though! I love how you can have one desktop picture stretch across both monitors.

Dual Monitor Images

By Adilanylkoorb on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 06:30 pm:

I'm thinking about buying a new computer altogether. What do I need to look for in one such as RAM, memory, ect? Is 4GB larger than 512MB? I really only use my computer to surf the internet, email friends and talk on yahoo and MSN messenger, but my nieces use it to play games on websites like disneychannel, barbie, ect. But a lot of those websites require you to have some flash player that I don't have and I have trouble loading it to my computer.

Another question is how long does a computer usually last? I've had mine since Dec. 2001. I had to have the power source replaced just six months after I got it because of a power surge that we had when lighten struck our transformer. We even had a good surge protector on the computer, but it still messed it up. Over the past year I've had to have the power source replaced again and this time the person that fixed my computer couldn't find a replacement that fix my computer so he put an old one on it. That's what I believe is wrong with my computer again. I think the fan in the power source has went out causing my computer to overheat and turn off. I'm trying to only use my computer for 30 minutes at a time. I also can't open the CD drive on the computer, but I just haven't bothered checking into getting that fixed since I don't use it often.

By Adilanylkoorb on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 06:37 pm:

Also does anyone have a new computer that has Windows Vista on it? I've heard from reviews that a lot of people don't like it.

By Dawnk777 on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 03:04 pm:

4GB of RAM is WAAAAAAAY bigger than 512mb!!! A megabyte is only in hundreds and a gigabyte is a 1000 mb. It's 4000mb of RAM! Drool.

My Dell Dimension has been in my house since July 2001. It has 512mb RAM, and a 320 gigabyte hard drive and a new fancy digital video card, to be able to appreciate the high-def-ness of my new monitor. It's also gotten a new sound card, somewhere along the way. It really works fine, with Windows XP.

I think if I was getting a new computer, I would still want XP. DH says that Microsoft will keep selling XP, until 2012.

I think I still have my original power supply. DH is good at fixing that stuff, though.

My only complaint about my computer is that it could use more RAM.

By Tarable on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 05:38 pm:

I have Vista on my computer at home and it is really a lot like XP but prettier, and now that I am used to it I actually like it. I work on a computer all day long and my computer at work has XP. It only took me about 2 weeks to get used to where everything was on the Vista system. It still works pretty much the same except they moved some things around.

As far as what you need in memory I only have 2GB of memory in mine and I play massive multiplayer online roleplaying games(MMORPGs)... which require the most out of any computer as far as memory, of almost any kind of game out there. But I also wouldn't run Vista without at least 1GB of RAM.

For the games you are talking about your neice plays you should be okay with anything, just about, they don't require a lot since they are online.. but you will notice a lot of difference between 512 mb and 1GB of memory.. after 2GB I have rarely noticed a difference.. I have 4GB at work. The other thing that makes a difference as far as surfing the internet is your connection, but that is another subject entirely.

If you have anymore questions I live with a HUGE computer nerd so ask away. I check the board quite often.

By Mrsheidi on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 06:03 pm:

I only have time to answer the wireless keyboard and mouse question: I HATED mine.

I'd be in a hurry and the batteries would run out so I couldn't navigate to print something off. It was really annoying...AND you have to replace them constantly. They are totally not worth it. JMHO

By Tink on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 06:48 pm:

We got an Alienware computer at the first of the year. It's a brand made for online gaming and it has a terrabyte of memory and a 30 inch monitor. It came with a wireless mouse and keyboard and, like Heidi, we hate them. In fact, we took the keyboard and mouse off of our old Dell and use those because they are more reliable. The mouse has a charger but even then, it would wear out and I'd have to wait for it to recharge. We use Vista and I don't mind it as far as navigating the system. I think that part is fairly user-friendly. I HATE how many compatibility issues we've run into, though. We haven't switched back to XP because we hope that some of the compatibility issues will be resolved in the near future.