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I want to add RAM and upgrade to Windows XP.

First, RAM. Check with manufacturer or a qualified technician as to what type of chips and how many your motherboard is capable of handling. When purchasing chips, you need to know the specs, the number of slots available and how chips work with the motherboard. For example, on some older models, the first slot had to have a lower chip such as 64 mb and nothing higher. Also, chips usually need to be installed in pairs. All this information is necessary before you purchase.

In my computer, I have two 64 MB RAM chips for a total of 128 MB RAM. I want to increase this to 512 MB. However, according to my manufacturer's specs, the maximum RAM that I can have is 384 MB. Plus, I have only 3 slots and only three sizes of chips will work, with the highest size being 128 MB. Therefore, I will plan on buying three 128 MB chips. (My computer is a Dell and by going online under support and using the services provided, I found what was installed and what was required for chip sets.) Using the Dell site, I found my chips at $54.86 each.

Windows Upgrade - It is best to purchase the full version, partition the hard drive (erasing everything), format the hard drive, and install Windows XP. The full version price is $199.

The upgrade version of Windows XP cost $99.

The cost so far:

Three 128 MB RAM chips @ $54.86 eac	$164.58
Full Version Windows XP (Microsoft store had the same pricing as Amazon.com)	$199.00
SUBTOTAL	$363.58 (not counting tax and shipping)

At this point I will be spending approximately $400 without paying a technician. This is assuming I am installing the chips, backing up my computer, installing Windows XP and all programs. This may take a couple days. Paying a technician would cost at least $200 or more.

With an approximate figure of $400 without a technician performing the work, I could buy a new computer. I haven't even considered the possibility of replacing the USB port, motherboard or BIOS -- all of which are too involved to cover at this time. Just note that new printers come with USB 2 connectors. Most computers prior to 1998 have a BIOS that will not interact with a USB 2. To upgrade the USB port and the BIOS would be too involved to even consider at this point.

At this point, I could buy a new computer for a couple hundred dollars more, have a warranty and not fight with the old computer any more. For example, a new Dell computer to replace my current one can be purchased for about $600.

New Dell

Dimension 2400
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.20GHz with 400MHz front side bus	Featured at $699 $599 After $100 Mail-In Rebate This configuration only.
Pentium® 4 Processor at 2.20GHz with 400MHz front side bus
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition¹²
256MB Shared DDR SDRAM at 333MHz (Performs at 266MHz for 400FSB systems)
2 Year Limited Warranty plus 2 Year At-Home Service
FREE Shipping - Online Only!
FREE 2nd Bay CD-Burner!
FREE 80GB Hard Drive - Online Only!

OK, I'll consider buying a new computer. Next dilemma, what to do with this old computer? It's still good. Below are some suggestions:

1. Backup all data. Keep this computer running until after you have the new computer and all programs and data are installed on the new computer.
2. Keep this old computer for e-mail and internet surfing. Partition the hard drive (this will erase ALL of your information), format and re-install Windows 98.
   1. Give to children or grandchildren for homework research, games, or internet surfing. Don't forget to add some software for controlling sites they are allowed to surf.
   2. Donate to charity - get a tax deduction.
   3. Place it in your waiting area. This could be available for children to play games while the parents are talking to you, reducing interruptions.
   4. Find more old computers to place in your waiting room, the kids were fighting over the one computer.
   5. Send to a "recycle center" - check your local area for disposal of computers or see the links included below.
   6. Do you or other family members seem to spend too much time in a doctor or dentist's office waiting room. (someone named that area right!) Suggest that the doctor put a computer in the waiting room, and offer him yours! Next visit, you can play solitaire to "sooth your nerves" before you get in the dentist chair.