Need advice on best "email checking" computer upgrade for parents

[Zoinks]

I built a Celeron 300A system for my parents a few years back and its time to upgrade. I'm looking for something cheap and nothing fancy. One of the main reasons for the upgrade is so they can run Windows XP.

ECS K7S5A MB
AMD Duron 1.3GHz
256MB Generic PC-2100 RAM
SPARKLE 300 WATTS POWER SUPPLY

I'll keep the old vid card, cdrom and hdd. Anyone see any problem, or suggest a different motherboard?

Thanks.

 

[Thor86]

Just for surfing and checking email, I'd say that setup and os would be more than enough for their purposes.

 

[TheWart]

i would actually stay away from that mobos. My bro has one, and he has a lot of stability issues, and the floppy drive is spotty. I would go with the Epox 8kha+ (i think thats its name). it is VERY stable, and it is very fast as well.

 

[Zoinks]

I guess my main concern is the MB. I've heard lots of mixed things about the K7S5A. Although most people seem to have no problems with it, there is a sizable minority with chronic problems. The last thing I want to deal with over the phone is wierd hardware related problems.

Rather than getting a Epox, why not get an Asus? They seem to have the best reputation. The Asus A7S333 is only a little more than the ECS and is $20 cheaper than the Epox.

 

[Zoinks]

Ok, does this sound better:

CRUCIAL MICRON 256MB $43.00
300 WATTS POWER SUPPLY $32.00
AMD Duron 1.3GHz $70.00
ASUS A7S333 $68.25

 

[GoodRevrnd]

The Asus A7N266-C's are pretty cheap. You could step down to a 1.2ghz duron and save ~$15-20 too.

 

[oldfart]

What kind of mobo is the 300A in? Maybe just get a new ~ 1 GHz CPU for it.

 

[Zoinks]

Its an Abit BH6 but only one of the memory slots works. Also, sometimes the computer just won't turn on - sometimes it will. I think there is a problem with the MB and I think I should get rid of it.

 

[Dion Unroe]

biggest help, BROADBAND..... makes checking email/surfing very nice! =)

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

that makes no sense, why upgrade to 1.3Ghz for checking email? that celly 300 should be fine. unless you/they just have money to throw around. and in that case, buy a better mobo than that damn ECS!

edit: oh...and if you/they REALLY want it to run faster or whatever, just upgrade the cpu and maybe put in more ram (depending on how much they have)

i'm sure whatever mobo it is can go 500+mhz which i would think would be adequate...

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Originally posted by: Zoinks
Its an Abit BH6 but only one of the memory slots works. Also, sometimes the computer just won't turn on - sometimes it will. I think there is a problem with the MB and I think I should get rid of it.

oh, well that makes a big diff....i'd say what you mentioned in your post looks good, except the mobo. get the epox 8kha or whatever the heck the model number was, that ecs mobo has too many horror stories.

 

[neuralfx]

I'm looking for something cheap and nothing fancy

reasons for the upgrade is so they can run Windows XP

hm .. ?

-neural

 

[Fun Guy]

Why XP? My opinion is that XP is the closest thing to an evil OS out there. It has nothing significantly better than Win2K included with it, is severely bloated, and sends information to Microsoft whenever it feels like it. STAY AWAY .......................

 

[neuralfx]

don't forget that Windows XP, made during screenplay writing of The Matrix, is merely a loading program for NSA CyberOperatives (CyOps) who spread to conduct continous reconnaisance missions. Bill Gates and FBI head Mueller are probably going through all your email right now over a cup of Starbucks coffee with extra froth. =)
-neural