Windows XP on SSD

[RVB]

My father in law has an old Windows XP computer with some essential and irreplaceable software (he is retired but still does a few jobs for people which require certain specialised software).

The computer sees only light use of several hours per week.

The (original) hard drive is probably failing and in need of replacement.

I've heard that Windows XP can have issues with SSDs due to not supporting their wear-levelling and tidying-up processes.
However, given the light use, I can't see unequal wear levelling being a major issue.

I'm still inclined to fit a small SSD. Tell me why I shouldn't.

Thanks.

[Narcisus]

Because you will be his 24hr it support bh from that day forth ..

[Narcisus]

Also... Just stick a replacement hd in ... Can’t see an old machine getting much benefit from the ssd in your scenario.

[RVB]

Narcisus said:

Also... Just stick a replacement hd in ... Can’t see an old machine getting much benefit from the ssd in your scenario.

It's easier and cheaper to find SSDs and they're so much quicker to boot up.

[Nimby]

Narcisus said:

Also... Just stick a replacement hd in ... Can’t see an old machine getting much benefit from the ssd in your scenario.

Could you run XP and the legacy programs in a virtual machine in Win10? The host should take care of SSD wear housekeeping.

[RVB]

Narcisus said:

Because you will be his 24hr it support bh from that day forth ..

He helps me with some things, I help him with some things.

[RVB]

Nimby said:

Could you run XP and the legacy programs in a virtual machine in Win10? The host should take care of SSD wear housekeeping.

I put a virtual XP on one of my Windows 10 computers but I didn't like it and it was quite a chore to set up.

I still prefer to use a couple of 13yr old Optiplex 755 with XP OS, one of which has been fitted with SSD but hasn't seen enough use to comment on suitability of SSD with XP.
In any case if my SSD/XP combo causes a problem I've only got myself to blame, unlike if it was someone else's computer.

[devnull]

Take some sage advice here from someone who has spent most of their capable life dealing with people and their pernickety relationships with the way they use computers, especially those who use specific software that is virtually impossible to get hold of.

Either leave it the fk alone, or just buy a newer compatible HDD (not SSD), clone the existing drive whilst it is still alive and then leave it the fk alone.

(I still get mild PTSD after helping my dads old machine workshop and their “chewing gum and string” approach to IT management)

Edited by devnull on Sunday 29th August 10:55

[Derek Smith]

RVB said:

It's easier and cheaper to find SSDs and they're so much quicker to boot up.

I've got an old SSD you can have to try it out if you want. Just after postage.

It's not overwhelmingly generous of me, it's only 125GB, but enough to give you an idea if it is worth it.

PM me.

[RVB]

Derek Smith said:

RVB said:

It's easier and cheaper to find SSDs and they're so much quicker to boot up.

I've got an old SSD you can have to try it out if you want. Just after postage.

It's not overwhelmingly generous of me, it's only 125GB, but enough to give you an idea if it is worth it.

PM me.

Thanks for the offer but I have a couple of 120GB SSDs on my desk (I try to keep a spare HDD/SSD).

[mmm-five]

How old is the PC? Is the HDD connected via SATA or IDE/PATA or SCSI?

If the SSD is the same interface then I'd go for it - a clone from the HDD to the SSD should be quite quick too. It might make it feel like a new machine, as even the slowest SATA SSD will be 5+ times faster than the HDD.