This might belong in glitches or somewhere, please move if so.

Question is: I am finding the new games are taking more RAM and the processor GHz requirements are also going higher.

I'm having trouble running some of the newer games which take all my RAM (1024) so I'm upgrading to capacity of (2028) which will be as much as my old Pavillion 761c can handle.

Eventually I will have to buy a nice new computer and although the new systems are tempting, I want to run XP on it rather than a Vista or Windows 7.

Does anyone know if you can buy a computer with one of those and then switch it over to XP and still have it run properly? I don't care for all the new 'bells and whistles' so if certain functions won't be supported it's OK, but I don't want to just ruin a perfectly good computer and end up with it not working at all.

All I really need is a faster processor and mega amounts of RAM. Help?

Keep in mind that support for XP will end in 2014 and support for XP SP2 will end this July. You will need to have SP3 installed to continue to receive updates.

One place that I know of that will build a PC for you and install XP is ecollegepc

Jenny had posted a link to a ratings website where ecollege has a high customer satisfaction rating. I've never used them, but you might check it out.

EDIT: Oops! I just went there and checked and they only offer Win 7 now. But you can still buy copies of XP on places like Amazon for about $85. I got two of them last fall.

It's possible to change to XP as long as there are drivers for the hardware. But you might save yourself a headache if you can find a company that will custom custom build you a computer with XP.

ecollegepc.com had good prices for computers. They no longer list XP as an option, but you might email them and ask if they'd build you one with XP.

The most important considerations are RAM and the video card. 3 GB of RAM will be enough for adventure games for a long time. 32-bit XP can't use much more than that. You don't need "mega amounts."

Thanks for the info Draclvr. I actually bought an authorized XP copy too a few months back just in case. My computer friend says he can build me a computer if I want. He builds all his own. It might be the way to go. All I really need is loads of memory and a huge processor so I can play my games and then email and web access, a DVD RW drive. Might be the better and cheaper way to go. I was just musing that a brand new sparkly computer would be fun. I'll check out the ecollegepc site too just to see what they do.

What Jenny says is worth considering too. XP really can't use more than 3 GB of RAM and a monster processor would be overkill for adventure gaming. And the video card is important too.

Ah, good advice from both of you Draclvr and Jenny. So now I am more and more leaning to a custom build from my friend. He builds all his own computers. I'll pass along the info about 3GB and a medium processor. Guess I don't really need a shiny 'Cadillac' when a 'Ford' will do. Thanks both of you. Off to make some plans.

A local build with XP is the way to go. Three GB of RAM will do fine with the new processors which have a huge cache. XP can handle any processor out there. Faster bus speed reduces the demand on memory also. Just don't install a motherboard with onboard graphics.

Regarding the videocard - be sure to get one with at least Shader 2

As for Win 7 - I really think you should rethink getting it, because it will play almost anything you throw at it.

I've had very few issues with Windows 7 (and few with Vista as well). So, unless you're willing to spend money on what's basically going to be a retro gaming rig in short order, you might want to reconsider it.

If it's only going to be used for older Windows games, and the price is right, it might be worth it. Otherwise, try looking at Dell's outlook site. I haven't looked there in quite some time, but you may get a better deal on a used rig than a new build.

Wow. Loads of good ideas out there. Thanks all. I might venture to the Windows 7 if I can try it out first. I'm so liking XP and then my sister tried Vista and hates it so that's not on my list. Maybe 7 is more like XP?

I have a backlog of games which are current ones that I play when I can find a few moments. Just seems the newer ones are taking more and more RAM to run. My friend upgraded my XP from 512 to 1024 and that helped a lot. So going to my model's max of 2048 should be even better.

Maybe I'll go 'shopping' and see what's out there that fits my needs. Wish Windows would give 'free trials' like Big Fish does.

I have to say I agree with a few of the others have posted in that you should seriously reconsider going the XP route. Ive got Win7 and Vista and there arent that many games Ive come across that dont work (there are a few though) and for those you would probably be able to get them to work via either virtual software such as VirtualPC or VurtualBox or even DosBox.

Windows7 isnt more like XP it's actually more like Vista except it is a bit more pollished. I never found Vista to be as bad as a lot of people made out but 'give a dog a bad name' and all that:-)

I agree that after the SPs and other fixes, Vista isn't such a bad OS. However, especially after working in Win 7 for the last year, whenever I have to work on a Vista computer, it feels so slow and ponderous and the UAC drives me insane.

Others will know more about this than I do, but you may be able to set up a virtual environment and run XP within Win 7, so you will have access to both operating systems. The Pro versions of Win 7 already have XP, but if you already have an XP installation disc, it would be a shame not to use it.

I always found Vista to be a resouce hog
Besides, Win7 only took me about 25 minutes to install and doesn't use near as much memory as Vista.

Most of the older games I've played, works fine on win7 - if not then most goes through DosBox/ScummVM and VirtualPC.

Most important things these days with new games though, is as I said to get a video card with at least Shader 2.
Luckily my old NVidia GTS 8800 came with Shader Model 4

Must say havent noticed any speed difference other than boot up/shutdown which is noticably faster on win7. Suppose machine spec has something to do with it. Have you turned UAC off/down on Win7. I still have it turned up to Vista levels - I'd got used to it by the time I got Win7 so it doesnt bother me now:-)



Yes I have XP on VirtualBox running on Win 7 and it runs a hell of a lot faster than it does on our old XP desktop.

Sorta Blonde,

This might not be of interest to you. But I bought a HP Windows7 and kept my Windows XP and I am happy with both. What I can't run on the Win7 works in the Win XP. Between both of them I can just about play any game.

good luck

June

I've worked on Vista on both low powered laptops and fairly high end desktops and always breathe a sigh of relief when I get back to my middle of the road desktop with Win 7. In addition to startup and shutdown, it just feels so much more nimble and quick.

I turned my UAC down to the lowest level without turning it off in my Win 7. I'm the only one who uses the computer, so that works for me. The UAC in Vista is very intrusive when you're trying to work on one. What I absolutely hate is that Vista decides for me what level of UAC I need. Let me turn it down while I do some troubleshooting and I'll turn it back up to high when I'm done! Yeesh!

Sorta, you could end up with the best of both worlds as Jfi says. I mounted my old XP drive in this computer I built last year and I can boot up to whichever drive I want to. So far, the only game which absolutely won't play on either my 32-bit or my 64- bit Win 7 is Zanzarah. And Shivers 1 will play on the 32-bit, but not the 64-bit.

So many great ideas! Sounds like 7 is easier to run that Vista and I didn't know you could have 2 operating systems on one computer. I do remember running two systems on my first Mac. That was nice. I might look into getting a nice new HP with Windows 7 and then somehow add the XP to that. I guess my main concern now is that my old HP Pavillion is getting older and older and it's bound to fail someday. Gotta plan ahead. Choices choices.