[Moomintroll]

Hello, I am new on here.

May Dad has given me his old laptop - a Toshiba Satellite - cannot remember the rest of the info as I don't have it to hand. Anyway it runs Windows 98 and comes up with Windows 2007. There is no booklet with it. I want to eventually be able to use the internet. I have not installed it yet but will probably use BT broadband. However Dad has told me the things at the back are 'd' sections (old style connectors). I would be grateful for any info of what I need to buy. There is a disk thing that can be attached but I would like to be able to use a memory stick as well as access the internet.

There is about 40mg and Dad has hardly used it. I am not sure if I would need to add more memory as well. It has Microsoft word, excel - both of which I use anyway) plus some others including lotus suite which I have never used.

Sorry to waffle on but as you see I am quite clueless. Dad bought it from someone else so I guess I would have to replace stuff as it is registered to who he got it from (no it didn't fall off the back of a lorry!).

Cheers

moomintroll

[Mike0001]

OK, there is probably a sticker underneath telling you what model it is. If it has a Microsoft sticker too then it is a legal copy of windoze.

Windows97---do you mean Office97?

The hard disk is 40Gb which you could survive with. We can advise on RAM memory once we have the model.

d sections, can't figure out what those are! Could be serial and parallel ports.

There is usually a slot on the side for expansion. You can stick a WiFi card in or a USB adapter.

[Moomintroll]

Thanks very much for your reply.

It is a Toshiba Satellite 11OCS/810 system uni Model # PA1224E

MS Windows 98 and has Microsft word Office 97, Excell 97, Explorer (non functioning as not yet attached to internet, but was tied to Virgin net).

It has quick time for windows, maris multimedia, Corel print house 2000, outlook express 5, Adobe activeshare.

On the actual lap top it says Intel inside Pentium.

There is an attachment - a Compact CD Rom Disk and on the thing you plug into the slot it says PCMCIA Card.

Yes I think the D sections are connector ports.

Before I contact BT to get it connected what equipment would I need to get it internet ready and is it best to upgrade it to XP or Vista???? Would I need to update Outlook Express as well??

Many thanks

Moomintroll

[Mike0001]

This makes it easier!

You will need a WiFi card first of all. You can buy these just about anywhere, even eBay!

BT provide a WiFi/wired router and everything else you need when they supply broadband..

The "branding" of Virgin can be removed or ignored.

On something this age, go for XP or Windows2000 if you want to upgrade. Once you are connected, Internet Explorer will upgrade itself.

You may have to remove the network settings that make the laptop try to connect to Virgin but that can be organized later.

If you have a LAN connection slot on the laptop you will not even need the WiFi card. Look for an oblong hole about 1/4" by 1/2" with possibly a symbol next to it that looks like a PC with a horizontal line underneath then 2 PCs under that. It is very similar to a modem slot but the latter is about 1/4" square.

[Moomintroll]

Thanks again for the info!


Moomintroll

[Moomintroll]

Hi Mike 0001

I have a software query but as you now know my machine and my limitations I thought I would ask here rather than in the software postings.

I have decided to get XP home - I know it will be phased out but I have read in Computer active that it will be ok for a while and there is back up from the company until around 2014. I know the OEM one means you can only use the licence on that machine.

Is it worth getting this one? Is SP2 - the safety pack /security or whatever you call it? I did hear XP was not so secure so how would I go about securing it???

OEM Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Edition with SP2b, English, Win32, CD 1 Pack
by MICROSOFT

No customer reviews yet. Be the first. More about this product Price: £51.49



Many thanks!

Moomintroll

[Moomintroll]

I forgot to say, the reason for going with XP is I am studying with the OU and they prefer XP to Vista.

Moomintroll

[Hybr!d]

Originally Posted by Moomintroll

I know the OEM one means you can only use the licence on that machine.

Nope OEM means no support from M/soft, retail also is one per machine.

Also buy from an eTailor instead like ebuyer, dabs, komplett, overclockers, scan, Amazon use third partys (a bit like eBay) for anything other than books, from experience this can take weeks for delivery if at all.

[Mike0001]

Originally Posted by Moomintroll

Hi Mike 0001

I have a software query but as you now know my machine and my limitations I thought I would ask here rather than in the software postings.

I have decided to get XP home - I know it will be phased out but I have read in Computer active that it will be ok for a while and there is back up from the company until around 2014. I know the OEM one means you can only use the licence on that machine.

Is it worth getting this one? Is SP2 - the safety pack /security or whatever you call it? I did hear XP was not so secure so how would I go about securing it???

OEM Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Edition with SP2b, English, Win32, CD 1 Pack
by MICROSOFT

No customer reviews yet. Be the first. More about this product Price: £51.49



Many thanks!

Moomintroll

Sounds like a good price to me. I have used Bluesolutions before but Amazon themselves seem to be selling this for £54.98. Go for it! Pro is £85.98. (Both inc. delivery)

I have found the Amazon associates good in general.

As for security, if you want that get Linux for free. Vista holds no promise of being better than XP and if you stick AVG Free and Zonealarm on you have a lot of security.