Is it time to get another computer?

Question

Changed to TalkTalk broadband but cannot install until computer fixed so can backup files as per tech advice(no comments on providers- want to change to Sky for better package money-wise). Major probs with computer for long time despite Norton Security and updating, ?hard drive full. Computer-whiz friend in USA who owns 6 computers says after 5 years time to get another - unfortunately I don't have American salary - what do you think? Pay someone to fix probs caused by nontech household or splash out on new computer?

Answer 1

Get a mate to do it for free, google your prob and fix it yourself, for free, or buy a nice wireless laptop every 3 years, or register with an isp that gives you a free laptop...

Answer 2

After 5 years your computer is approaching obsolete (although it's not quite there yet, another 2-3 years, unless you are a gamer...), unless you had one built or built it to bleeding-edge specifications at the time.

You could probably just get another, bigger hard drive and put it in there if you want.

It's entirely up to you. An external USB hard drive is very easy to hook up. Get a Western Digital. I've had no end of Seagate and Belkin products failing. I'm not sure I've owned a Seagate or Belkin product that actually worked well for longer than six months...

If you decide to go the new computer route, I do not recommend buying a secondhand machine. You don't know who had it, what they did with it, and whether or not the hardware is newer or older. Build your own or buy one from Newegg.com or Dell.com.

Answer 3

I say get your old computer checked over and cleaned up then get an external hard drive fitted to your existing computer.  

Answer 4

i say buy a used second hand computer, if you are short of cash, you can pick up some pretty good bargans no ebay.

Answer 5

Get a young decent second hand computer, their are plenty around.

Answer 6

No, don't change your computer.  Remember, most problems in computering is corrupted software or to many files downloaded or maybe even viruses.  

Formatting a hard drive kills viruses.

Formatting a hard drive also deletes every single little piece of infomation on it.  

One of my other computers was mega slow and had 60GB of downloaded rubbish on it.  I formatted the hardrive and it is now like a new computer.  The speed is incredible.  Our computer was way above 5 years old.

If you don't want to format then you can uninstall each unwanted program.  But doing that will still leave the registry files on it.

Remember this as well.  Everything you have downloaded will be in your registry files.  

Personally I think your hardrive is full up, and there are times in a computers life where it needs to be formatted.

If you do go through the format process remember to save any important files on a memory stick.  You don't want to lose important infomation :D

Best of luck :)

Answer 7

NO! Don't get a new computer.

I have been called a "Computer-whiz" and I own far more than just 5 computers.

If software is the only problem, then simply format the hard disk reinstall the operating system.

OK, technobabble.

"Format" means "delete everything"

"Hard Disk" is the thing that your computer stores your music, videos and other files on

"Operating system" is the program that you use to tell your computer what to do

So, to do this, you will simply need to put your Windows disk in to the CD drive as your computer turns on.

Follow all the instructions, then it will reinstall windows.

This will delete all the information on your computer, so make sure you take a copy of everything you want to keep, such as photos or documents.

I would reccomend that you use Linux, however. This is much better than windows, easier to use, and harder to s***w up.

Ubuntu will even send you a disk for free!

Take a look at the sources for more information

Answer 8

uninstall norton its very picky and not to good install avg anti virus its free and very good allso down load superantispyware from major geeks its allso free check out tiscali talk package its 20quid a month with all land calls free and 8meg speed clean all the junk from hard drives hope this helps if you use the prog i have suggested you will save a few bob