Ditching Win98/AOL..........
Discussion
A friend of mine has a PC running Win98 and she uses dialup AOL. Unfortunately, she has started having major problems with her email and is looking to ditch AOL.
She uses BT for her phoen line and would probably be OK with a PAYG dial-up package.
My question is how easy is it to remove/de-install AOL? I've heard some nightmare stories about it being a total PITA.
I'm wondering whether it would be easier to wipe her HDD completely and install something like Windows XP Pro.
I'd appreciate any ideas.
Thanks
She uses BT for her phoen line and would probably be OK with a PAYG dial-up package.
My question is how easy is it to remove/de-install AOL? I've heard some nightmare stories about it being a total PITA.
I'm wondering whether it would be easier to wipe her HDD completely and install something like Windows XP Pro.
I'd appreciate any ideas.
Thanks
Note that XP requires a reasonable amount of RAM and takes up lots of disc space - 2000 would be a better bet as it's quite OK on 128Mb of SD RAM. Note that getting all the updates for 2K or XP is an all night job with dial up, use a broadband connection for installation - as well as things like AVG, Spyware Blaster etc.
To completely get rid of AOl on 98 systems you are probably looking at a complete wipe. What's the spec of the PC - I'm guessing it won't be more than a PII and probably only PII 400 if it came with 98 (possibly only 64 meg as well)?
I would be more inclind to replace with a second hand PIII with XP or Win2K. Fairly cheap to get hold of even if you haven't got a mate with an old one lying around somewhere. This is because if you have been working with XP for awhile; going back to 98 and trying to clean it up with the constant restarting and fiddling is more trouble than its worth (don't forget to install spyware blockers - such as spyware blaster and spybot - on dial-up systems especially 98 ones as diallers are pervasive throughout the internet). I've had some experince of cleaning up 98 machines; I don't think I'd bother again.
I would be more inclind to replace with a second hand PIII with XP or Win2K. Fairly cheap to get hold of even if you haven't got a mate with an old one lying around somewhere. This is because if you have been working with XP for awhile; going back to 98 and trying to clean it up with the constant restarting and fiddling is more trouble than its worth (don't forget to install spyware blockers - such as spyware blaster and spybot - on dial-up systems especially 98 ones as diallers are pervasive throughout the internet). I've had some experince of cleaning up 98 machines; I don't think I'd bother again.
Windows 98 with AOL Dialup?
Backup & Format it, any e-mail she wants to keep forward to a 'holding' account on a friendly pop server somewhere. Same with her address book.
I say format because I'm willing to bet that this system has never been rebuilt (if it's been working no reason it should) so it'll have started off with a fairly old version of AOL and been subsequently upgraded... thus it's probably so embeded in to Windows that if you Add/Remove it'll remove a large section of Dial-Up Networking.
I also have to agree with those people who have been saying the machine is too old for Win XP. It *might* be able to do Win2k but even then it will be a struggle without overhauling it.
Best bet is going to be either ebay for a 2nd hand ex-business PIII and bring your own OS. OR Dell. Yeah I know their £200 quid entry level machines are a little hit n' miss and such. But it's the cheapest way to get a modernish system (USB 2.0, DDR-RAM, etc.) which will be much easier to source parts for and a new TFT monitor to replace what is going to be a 14" or 15" CRT.
Backup & Format it, any e-mail she wants to keep forward to a 'holding' account on a friendly pop server somewhere. Same with her address book.
I say format because I'm willing to bet that this system has never been rebuilt (if it's been working no reason it should) so it'll have started off with a fairly old version of AOL and been subsequently upgraded... thus it's probably so embeded in to Windows that if you Add/Remove it'll remove a large section of Dial-Up Networking.
I also have to agree with those people who have been saying the machine is too old for Win XP. It *might* be able to do Win2k but even then it will be a struggle without overhauling it.
Best bet is going to be either ebay for a 2nd hand ex-business PIII and bring your own OS. OR Dell. Yeah I know their £200 quid entry level machines are a little hit n' miss and such. But it's the cheapest way to get a modernish system (USB 2.0, DDR-RAM, etc.) which will be much easier to source parts for and a new TFT monitor to replace what is going to be a 14" or 15" CRT.
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