[computerstupid]

I have an old computer that is very slow and outdated. It is a HP Pavilion XE736 w/ a Celeron Processor and Windows 98. Can I (and if so, how?) make this thing run faster and add windows xp. Also, will I be able to add a DVD/DVR drive? How do I add more memory and such?

[desertdragon]

It will depend upon the applications that you will install in the upgraded old computer. If you will install office application, it will be alright but if you will be using graphics and video/audio applications, this will not help. You will not be productive in this upgraded pc.

[Wino]

Originally Posted by computerstupid

I have an old computer that is very slow and outdated. It is a HP Pavilion XE736 w/ a Celeron Processor and Windows 98. Can I (and if so, how?) make this thing run faster and add windows xp. Also, will I be able to add a DVD/DVR drive? How do I add more memory and such?

If the machine is as shipped from the factory, there are a few things you can do to improve performance, but not by much. IMHO, not worth the expense to upgrade. You can probably get a new computer for just a few dollars more than upgrade components. If you've never opened the case, the first thing to do is open it up and clean (blow) out all the dust from cpu heatsink. You can buy compressed air in cans to do this chore.

Conservative pricing $320.00:

1. New Hard Drive 7200 RPM 80-100GB $40 +/- (existing HDD is probably 5400 RPM)
2. Max out memory 2x128MB = 256 $50.00 +/-
3. PCI IDE Card $40.00 +/-
4. DVD/DVR $60.00 +/-
5. XP Home OEM Version $90.00 (XP Pro $140.00) +/-
6. Cheap PCI video card to replace onboard $40.00

You're pretty much stuck with your 800mHZ processor. I would also guess the power supply is in the vicinity of 120-145 W so a newer graphics card may be out of the question.

For about another $100-150 you can buy a low end eMachine complete with XP Home, mouse. keyboard, monitor, DVD/DVR-DL, really cheap speakers, that would be 3-4x faster than any improvements you make to the old machine and able to do some DVD/movie rendering, games, etc.. Your old machine is on the cusp of doing these things, albeit, poorly.

I would recommend a bare bones system from someone like TigerDirect.com, but since you asked how to improve/install the upgrade components, probably best you buy a computer from Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. with warranty. Not trying to dissuade you from upgrading the old machine, just giving an honest assessment that you won't have much when finished.