Over the Hill?

Q: I just downloaded the Windows Wizard and learned some interesting info regarding my operating system. Because I have Windows ME, I can upgrade to XP. That was
interesting. Only 2 systems have that capability with Windows XP. Now, I'm wondering, is my equipment too old? Do you have an opinion regarding what I learned?
Phyllis S.
A: I do not like to say that computers are too old. I prefer to say that they may not be ideally designed for your computing desires. A computer can be “vintage” ( an older model) and still perform like a champ depending how you choose to employ it.
The primary issue that you may face with upgrades, deal with compatibility issues. This means that a conflict can exist between your current software and/or hardware and the upgraded version. Much of this can be detect before you purchase an upgrade by reading what the system installation requirements are for the upgrade and comparing it to the specifications of your system. Normally the minimum requirements are listed. This way you have an idea what the lowest acceptable standards are in order for the upgrade to run properly. I would like to take this time to illuminate an often overlooked fact. If you install a software and your computer is at the minimum standards, then you should not expect it to function in the same manner as a software that has been installed onto a system that vastly exceeds the bare minimum. For this reason, the ideal system installation requirements are often provided with a software as well. Here are the installation requirements for XP: (both the minimum and recommended are given)
PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required; Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.
Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
It is important to be aware of the amount of your available disk space. At 1.5 gigabyte, the necessary disk space is noticeably larger for XP than it is for ME. Generally, aside from ensuring that you have enough disk space, you really should not have any hardware conflicts. Software on the other hand can be a horse of a different color. You may find that software that was on your ME system may not be compatible with your XP operating system. This type of incompatibility is something that is unique to each program.
Other considerations are to perform a backup before and after the upgrade. If you find that your current computer is not compatible with installation requirements, then you may want to spend a little more than what the upgrade cost and invest in a new computer with XP pre-installed.