The following question was answered by Ray Lowe, Staples Technology Specialist.
Q: I'm thinking about upgrading my computer's operating system. What factors do I need to take into account? I'm especially concerned about protecting my files.
A: Your existing files shouldn't be affected or threatened in any way. In the unlikely event that your computer seizes up during the upgrade and hampers future access to certain data, however, you should back up everything that's important to you on either a CD or Zip disk.
The greater concern is making sure your computer meets the system requirements of the new operating system. Any OS package you purchase should detail these requirements very clearly. For instance, the latest Microsoft operating systems, Microsoft XP Home and Microsoft XP Pro, require:
- 128 MB of RAM
- 1.5 GB of available hard drive space
- A CD–ROM or DVD drive
- A 300 MHz or higher processor (recommended) — 233 MHz is required.
- A monitor with a resolution of at least 800 x 600. (This is a fairly modest requirement, by the way, so unless your monitor is old you'll likely meet the threshold.)
RAM is relatively simple to upgrade (read how), and you can buy a new external or internal hard drive to meet the 1.5 GB space requirement. You can also buy a CD–ROM or DVD/CD–ROM drive, but if your processor doesn't have enough megahertz (MHz), you'll either have to live with your current OS or upgrade to a newer computer.
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