One of my computers is a compaq presario 4814 runing windows 95, 32 mb ram, 4 gb hd. would like to upgrade to windows xp, 256 mb ram , 40 gb hd. what componets do i need for this upgrade. thanks, danny.

MY question is, have you been to the compaq support website? http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/ (selecting "presario desktops" leads you to: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/siteHome?lc=en?=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=top (and adding "4814" leads you to: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/prodinfoCategory?dlc=en&tool=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&cc=us&dest_page=prodinfoCategory&product=92846

For a start you will need to purchase a full retail version of Windows XP. There is no upgrade path from Windows 95 to XP. You need Windows 98 at the very least. You also need a CPU with a minimum of 233Mhz, even then it will be painfully slow. 400 Mhz is more of a realistic limit. I wouldn't bother putting Windows XP on a machine this old. You trying to make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Stuart

Even W98 might be a bit lacking with only 32M of RAM. XP will gobble up best part of 2G of HD. I reckon you'll regret putting XP on it. DerekW

"... would like to upgrade to windows xp, 256 mb ram , 40 gb hd. what componets do i need for this upgrade" A new system. Even if you get more memory and larger hard disk(s) you'll probably just end up with grief and/or frustration. As mentioned, it's a waste of time etc. I did get XP-Home loaded on a 166 Mhz system with 128MB of RAM. However, it was like watching a snail sleep. Some proprietary systems (like yours probably) just won't work with an O/S that is beyond what the machine originally shipped with. Win 2K ~might~ run OK, but XP? It's a good day when you learn something

Don't do it. You'll regret it. Try to stick with Win 95. The "upgrade" is not really worth it in my opinion. If your plan is to buy more RAM and a new HD, you'd be better off buying a new system. Faris,

Like Derek says"Even W98 might be a bit lacking with only 32M of RAM. XP will gobble up best part of 2G of HD. I reckon you'll regret putting XP on it."Upgrading to Win98se and adding ram is about all you can do.Note:Win98se is a fine operating system.I have a Win 98 First Edition Upgrade legitimate CD.I don't use it anymore.Use the private message feature on this post if you need it.No cost to you.Glad to mail it to you.