My office got rid of this computer so I took it. It's hp compaq. 2002. (see screenshots) I thought maybe I could run Windows 7 on it (it's XP now) but I don't have enough disk space and it takes forever getting rid of what's on there to get enough disk space. And I don't think I have a good enough graphics card anyway. And I couldn't run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor.

And would I have to pay for the Windows 7 upgrade?

I thought I could transfer some programs to it via a usb drive so I tried with Adobe Digital Editions and that wanted online capacity to transfer. Same with Avast free AV. And just about nothing works on XP. All the software wants at least Windows 7.

I know I could convert it to Ubuntu but the RAM is so low and the hard drive is only 37 GB.

I hate to chuck a computer that works perfectly, but I (and I am 100% Linux) don't see any real reason for keeping it.

Can anybody see any reason why I should?

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This computer should work nicely with a light-weight distro like Lubuntu, though "Adobe Digital Editions" sounds like "RAM hungry". You could use it as a file server, or a web surfing terminal. Boot from a live medium and don't worry about viruses.

If you don't really need it, you have to ask yourself if the power consumption and the space it uses are worthwhile. Perhaps when you want to throw it away eventually you might find you have to pay a recycling fee. All these factors are rather relevant to me, and while I am easily tempted to get free or cheap technology (Ebay just overflows with old PCs), in the end it may become junk that I will have trouble getting rid of.
But I am not sure if this is what you wanted to hear

I'd save it. But then. I am a different kind of Linux user than most.

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...mpster-divers/

I'd make it a media center. Online radio and movies with a projector outside.

Hi...

Just my opinion but I wouldn't go any further with Windows 7. The hardware is far too old, even if you were able to upgrade the memory. If you want Windows on this system, stick with (and reinstall) XP.

This system might do well with some of the very lightweight distributions of Linux like AntiX or Zorin OS 9 Lite.

Regards...

Yes I fully understand. That would be my first reflex. But on reconsideration, I'd buy a Raspberry Pi for $40, glue it to a disk or insert a 64GB memory card for another $25 and have a system that runs 24 hours without consuming much power or space, is portable, might run on batteries, generates no heat in summer (though an old PC could be a nice foot warmer under the desk in winter) and makes no or almost no noise.

You would have to pay for the Win7 license, and that hardware wouldn't run Win7 overly well.

I have a full KDE install on one of my computers that is on a 32 GB drive and have 18 GB free, so the hard drive is quite sufficient for a nice linux install. While the processor and RAM are going to be prohibitive for running anything KDE/Gnome, the lightweight distro's that have been suggested should work fine. If you were able to find some super cheap ram to upgrade it to 2 GB, it'd even work with some of the lighter desktop environments like LXDE/LXQT, Cinnamon, or such.

In the end, it's still usable, but it's not going to run anything cutting edge. If you were a new linux user I'd say it would make a fantastic learning machine to play around with and not care if you broke it, but since you're not, unless you have a specific use for it, I personally wouldn't bother.

I already have a old media center. I guess I should have have said a media center for the senior services center instead. I give old units like that with a CRT and keyboard and mouse to little old ladies who are on a fixed income.

Edit: If you read my link posts. I get free gear all the time.

2nd Edit: My place is 3 phase power and under a fixed contract for the shop.
Power issues for me are not like power issues for others.

Noble. Keep up the good work.

That thing'll run lightweight *nix distros easy I would imagine.You might install the OS and donate it to some aspiring computer nerd. Some folks can't afford computers. You might help a young programmer bloom.

Thanks Bernard. in the end it may become junk that I will have trouble getting rid of. You got that right. But you're right too--it's tempting getting this crap. LOL

Ha ha. Love the pic of the dumpster diving. Thanks for the laugh!

Thanks Ardvark. Yeah. I hear you. Thing is I've already got three old Dells with lightweight distros on them to play around with. If I keep this one, I think I'm going to keep it XP. At least for a while.

Thanks Timothy. I don't know why but I was thinking the XP-->7 was a free upgrade. No way am I paying $100 for 7. I'm 100% Linux. I'm thinking I'm going to stay that way. I personally wouldn't bother. I think I'm going to do the same. Good advice.

Thanks sneak. I'm an aspiring computer nerd! (That's why I'm even debating what to do.) And you know what, nobody really wants these old computers. They don't have what it takes to run bloated Windows and nobody knows Linux. Oh well. What can you do.

For fun. Good enough for Puppy to stash mp3s on, for instance.