Upgrading in general..

[flyboy 28]

So I've recently inherited my grandparents old computer. They both passed away last year, so we've been sorting through stuff we want, so I figured I'd take it. Hey, it's a free computer.

Anyway, I was wondering if it's worth upgrading. It's Windows 98, has 64MB of ram, and some veeeeeery old graphics card that I don't even think the company is in buisness anymore.

My sister bought 512MB of ram for her computer but it didn't work, so when she's home again she'll give it to me to see if it'll work.

In the end, would it be worth it to buy a new vid and graphics card and install XP onto it, or would I just be better off buying a new computer. I know they sell computers already made for flightsimming, or you could make your own, but that's not readily available to me. All I'd have to do in this case is just make a quick trip to Staples or Circuit City and I'd be set.

What do you think?

Thanks,
James

[|| Andy ||]

Sorry to hear that Mr. Sticks,

What processor is it?

[4_Series_Scania]

Mr. Sticks, if its a 64MB Windows 98 PC then I guarantee it'll be a hopeless option to upgrade, if running FS2004 is your objective (being a member here, I'd hope so!)
You'd be better off replacing the tower with new.

I assume your pc has keyboard/mouse monitor etc so there not required (yet) - Chances are the monitor will be an older model, usually, limited to 800x600 resolution - hardly ideal for gaming!

[JBaymore]

Mr. Sticks,

Most importantly, my condolences on the loss of your grandparents.


For a primary flight sim machine for fs2004....... not worth the effort IMHO.

HOWEVER,....................... it could be the start of the makings for a multi computer simpit setup.  It is possible that machine would run some of the stand alone guage programs for cockpit construction just fine.  I have one machine running that is a 350M Win 98 machine with a 64M graphics card that runs one guage display just fine.

To do that stuff you'd need to add network cards in the multiple linked machines (wired versions now about $7.00), a wired network switch (maybe $35-40)  along with the programs FSUIPC and WideFS (payware ...about $35 for the combo).

Add OpenGL freeware guages or FreeFD freeware guages, or maybe the freeware PMSounds from Project Magenta... and so on..... and you are on your way to a simpit.

For more info on this type of stuff, stop down in the "Homebuild Cockpits" forum.

best,

....................john

[ctjoyce]

Hey man sorry to hear about your grandparents  :(

Anyway if your planning to build a system specificly for FS, PM me and ill give you some pointers. If you dont trust your DIY skills then go to www.ibuypower.com or www.cyberpowerinc.com both of these sights are specificly for building gameing computers.


And if all else fails, then you could build up your new free computer. Just need a gig of ram, new graphics (its probibly AGP) find out the socket of the processer, and get a new one youll probibly need a new HDD too (but IDE isnt too hard to find)

Well whatever you do have fun with it.

Best wishes
ctjoyce

[flyboy 28]

What processor is it?

Pentium II..

Thanks for condolences and info guys. Much appreciated. I guess I'll just break down and buy a new computer. Too much money to tie up into it.

[4_Series_Scania]

I was going to comment about your Grandparents, but, by your post, I guessed your over it!  ;)

A good thing, for sure, they would have not wanted you to be sad for them, I know my Grandfather wished this of me.

Just wanted to get that point over.

Paul.

[flyboy 28]

Aye. Thanks anyway.

[the_autopilot]

Get a new computer.

Upgrading it now would be like trying to revive the dead.

[congo]

You could of course wait until no one is around and use it for evil experiments ....... Muahahahaa