Some weird questions and some not so weird

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

Ok, my father-inlaw, got a used computer (old, a hand me down) from his son. It's operating system is Windows 98, how can i upgrade it to Windows XP? They are from Cuba, so they only know spanish, little english, so can all the stuff be told in spanish?? what do i need to do that ?

He told me to try and get online with it, threw a 56k, so i did, didnt work, no dail tone... phone line? It's a USRobotics sportster Winmodem 33600 on COM3, dont know if thats what it is. Any tips?

Also, he told me the audio bearly works, all the volume is up on the speakers and the computer volume is up all the way also. Speakers messed up ? Any tips?

How do i check what kind of RAM, and all that info about the computer at? Device manager ?

For the upgrading (windows) or checking of the computer can u link me (or type) the step by step instructions....i seriously dont know jack about computers...just the basics

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

Noone wants to help me !! :::sniff sniff::: lol so many view but no posts

[deltaf508]

How fast is the computer you are wanting to put XP on? We'll need some specs. XP takes a little eXtra Power to run reliably. Myself, I would not even attempt to install it on anything less than a 450 - 500 Mhz w/ 128 RAM. I know you can go lower but I don't think it's worth it for the machines in the 300 Mhz range.

[rkyranc]

All application software is available in Spanish. The computer must have a 300+ MHz processor and at least 128 MB of RAM (preferably more). The conversion cost will probably be greater than or equal to that of a new DELL for e.g.. Also bear in mind the time you will spend coaching and hand holding; an even greater expense than the upgrade cost!

[elroy]

As posted above if the pc isn't fast enough XP will not run properly on it. When you first start the pc you should see a black and white screen with a large rectangular box at the top. In this box it should show the cpu speed. If Windows is running hit Start> Settings> Control Panel> System and this screen will show how much ram you have.
You can also go here
http://www.sisoftware.net/index.html...86&langx=en&a=
and download Sisoft Sandra and install it. This program will provide much info on your system.
If you can get some more info we can provide some insight into what it is that you have.

[rkyranc]

To get on line you have to install the proper drivers for the modem. The drivers can be downloaded from driver guide site after you join (it's free).

http://www.driverguide.com/join.htm

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

Thanks for help, but keep'em coming, How do i change the computer to change from english to spanish for my inlaws??

[jmichna]

Thanks for help, but keep'em coming, How do i change the computer to change from english to spanish for my inlaws??

You need Spanish language versions of the software. Yes, you can change the character set that the keyboard produces (when you hit a key) from English to Spanish langauage characters, but that will not change the language of the program itself.

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

ah, ok, i see, thanks for the help. Is it just at any store u can get the spanish version? cuz i never seen them. Or does it have to be ordered?

[jmichna]

Try http://www.translation.net/mssoft.html
Their prices are not great, but there must be other vendors. I guess buying from Cuba is out of the question, but how about a computer store in Mexico (a Mexican equivalent to www.newegg.com)? Maybe a fellow TIMO from the San Diego region might know a vendor right across the border in Tijuana? Or someone from the Laredo, TX or El Paso, TX areas?

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

ok, thanks for the help.

[elmers]

Sometimes you have to add an extra string to the initialization string of a modem in order to bypass the american "dial tone" settings. If the new drivers dont work you might need to add this string under modem properties/advanced:

atx3

[91SEE-ARE-EX-Si]

gotcha, i wont be able to do this stuff to the computer till tomarrow... i'll letcha know the outcome