Looking for some assistance

[Sitting-Duc]

I don't really do hardware and have been tasked with creating a new build for my dad. 

 

@@WiZiD helped me out a while back for this and it kept the PC running for an extra year however it has got to the point now that there is a virus killing it and we cannot remove it because it is so slow that the scan is taking days and the AV keeps crashing, as well as any other program that is opened. 

 

So what I am looking for is a build from you guys, preferably links from a UK website and preferably the same one. My budget is £150 - 200 to purchase the computer, the screen and peripherals will be purchased separately.  

 

The computer is used by my dad in his workshop to create engineering drawings with CAD, perform accounting, emails, browsing. Nothing extreme hence the low budget. I intend on reinstalling Windows XP on there for compatibility. Both for the old programs that's what my dad uses and that he probably wouldn't understand any other OS. 

 

Appreciate any help you guys can come up with. 

 

Thanks,

[djMot]

Getting a copy of XP for a new machine will likely be impossible at this time.  Unless you purchased the copy of XP off the shelf as a retail edition of the OS (i.e., not included with any system,) it would likely be a violation of licensing terms to move that copy of the OS to a completely new machine.  You could take up the matter with Microsoft; they might be accommodating in granting a transfer of license.

 

As for the days-long virus scan:

You need to create and mount (boot) a copy of Linux equipped with a scanner / malware removal tool on the CD/DVD drive and scan the Windows partition of the hard drive that way.  Since the partition on the hard drive cannot infect the copy of Linux, both because it's on a non-writable media and on a foreign partition type, the scan will run at full speed and the malware can be eliminated in the time it would otherwise take Windows to do a full disc operation like a disk defrag, or a virus scan in which the system is not already infected.  An iso to build such a scanner can actually be found at many of the leading Antivirus company's sites, or I'm sure there's tons of information out there on creating one from scratch.  Pretty much anything that tells you it will create a boot CD to scan a Windows PC is going to be built on Linux.

 

Newegg is a great source for pre-configured DIY systems that you can build yourself, secure in the knowledge that someone who knows what they are doing has come up with the specs and parts list.  I wouldn't necessarily rely on them for a truly high-end gaming system, but you're not looking for that, and I'm sure they are configuring very solid mid-range systems that are dripping with bang for the buck.

[Merlin007]

Here's one to check out .

 

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/barebones/bb-64004g.html

 

Here's a similar one, a bit cheaper but would do as well what you looking for.

 

http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/barebones/bb-65404b.html

Edited August 18, 2013 by Merlin007

[TecHnOBoY]

Well 200 GBP is not much. I ever thought that CAD needs a lot of ressources..

@@djMot

You can buy refurbished Windows licenses. MS allows it to refurbish and resell them. And as long as you own
the key including the COA (Certificate Of Authenticity - that's the small sticker with the key on a PC for example)
you can install it where ever you want. MS is not allowed to restrict it to one piece of Hardware (in the EU, don't know
if the are elsewhere). You are not allowed to install and use the Software on more than one system at the same time,

that's all.

 

@@Sitting-Duc

1 x AMD A8-5600K Black Edition 3.60GHz (Socket FM2) APU Trinity Quad Core Processor **FREE SIMCITY PC GAME** (AD560KWOHJBOX) £71.99
1 x MSI A55M-E33 AMD A55 Chipset (Socket FM2) DDR3 Micro ATX Motherboard £40,99
1 x Imp MicroATX Tower Case (500w PSU) £31.99
1 x TeamGroup Elite 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (TED34GM1600HC11DC01) £29,99

Summary: £ 174,96

Consciously calculated without HDD and Windows. I think you can use the existing HDD (if it not an IDE drive)


 

[rookido]

As far as I know, once you install the OS on a particular mobo that OS can't be installed in another mobo. Because it gets to do something with the mobo serial number. MS knows right away and won't let you activate it.

[Sitting-Duc]

Don't worry about the OS guys.. its been cracked for the past 10 years and I intend on putting another cracked version on there

 

[LaRSin]

Before we start with buying a new , Lets get the old one going , Just format and start over, And If you own a WIn xp , You can reuse it on the new, But only on one computer at a time,

 

Now as long as you get drvers for Win Xp , go with something like  intel 3220 and a B75 chipset something like this http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130655

 

and use onboard sound and video , Buy a nice 1 TB hard drive and dvd burner, And maybe a 450 to 500 watt, power supply , You might be able to use some of the old parts as well ,

 

This is a starting place ...and something to look at.

[djMot]

@@TecHnOBoY - yeah, I guess things are different in the UK.  Over here in the States, the EULA generally restricts the installation of Windows, Microsoft Office, etc., to the computer on which it was originally installed and no other.  I bumped up against that when I told Dell that I didn't need a copy of Microsoft Office because I already had a copy from a Dell computer that I was talking with them about replacing.  They told me, although it was certainly my prerogative do whatever I saw fit to do, a reading of the EULA would explain the fallacy of my plan.  It was at that point that I switched to OpenOffice, and now LibreOffice,

[Sitting-Duc]

Depends if its OEM or not

 

Thanks for your help guys I now have a better idea what to purchase the old system is dead and its time for a new one.

 

I will look at all that's been suggested and order it this week

 

[CobraBites]

As far as I know, once you install the OS on a particular mobo that OS can't be installed in another mobo. Because it gets to do something with the mobo serial number. MS knows right away and won't let you activate it.

your allowed to install same windows key on desktop and a laptop btw....ur allowed a mobile device with ur desktop

[FunkyChickn]

I bought a HP workstation with with duel xeon processors and xp pro for £150 inc postage off ebay. It was a refurb and they had lots for all budgets. I have never had a problem with it and I upgraded the graphics card for Josh to use ingame.

It would be ideal for his needs

[fireurza]

shoot if you lived alot closer i would have a system that all it would need is a hard drive. I'd give it to you but the shipping on it from here would be ungodly. Its not the top of the line but its a quad core intel processor(cant remember which), 4 gb ddr3 ram, and on board vid card. ill see if i can dig up the specs if you wanna know more about it. but as i said the shipping would be insane.