Re: Thinkpad RSeries

Win XP is especially vulnerable now, since there is still a wide user base
and Microsoft isn't supporting it anymore. Hence, if one were to use Win
XP, I wouldn't be doing any banking or shopping on the box. Or hosting any
sensitive information on it.

But, if we're talking something for homework or casual browsing, it's
probably fine. Might want to have a strategy for backing up documents on a
regular basis, but now I'm preaching to the choir.

To find a good free anti-virus that still runs on XP, I would Google "XP
antivirus" (without the quotes) and set the search to look only in the past
year. (Click "Search Tools", then select the date range.) Note that if
you've only got 1GB RAM, it's going to be a drag on performance. Look for
Performance settings somewhere in System Properties, and select "Adjust for
best performace", or just deselect all of the options that enhance
appearance.

If it were me, I'd find a Linux distro with a small footprint, but I
wouldn't dare give this to a family member that isn't technically
inclined. Unless you want to answer (or help find the answer to) "how do
I" questions in your spare time. BT, DT.

If by chance these have 2GB of RAM, performance will be better, but most of
us are spoiled by what passes for "good" performance. I was using my son's
old laptop with 2GB RAM and Win7 for a few months recently and, even after
adjusting the settings for best performance, it was still a slug *relative*
to the more modern equipment. I did find that performance was AWFUL just
after powering up, so I got in the habit of turning it on 30 minutes before
I needed to use it. After that, it became usable.

- Dan

On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 4:55 PM, <rob@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Work is retiring some laptops and asked me if I wanted one. It was a
Thinkpad RSeries. They've been initialized and loaded with Windows XP. No
office or whatnot. I realize that no patches for that OS will be
forthcoming.

I am thinking of an extra home computer for maybe the wife and kids. The
two in high school have school laptops. The 8th grader has no laptop.
She's still going to the private school until this year is done.

What would you do?

Money is really tight here to the point it just has to be free.

Download some open office stuff? If so, what kind?

Add a virus package? What kind?

Trash it all and convert to Linux? I know nothing and will that blow the
wife and kids' minds? They're all using Windows now.


Rob Berendt
--
IBM Certified System Administrator - IBM i 6.1
Group Dekko
Dept 1600
Mail to: 2505 Dekko Drive
Garrett, IN 46738
Ship to: Dock 108
6928N 400E
Kendallville, IN 46755
http://www.dekko.com

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