Computer Help and Support

TorchTheWitch

(11,065 posts)

13. I've never updated drivers in all the years I've had this computer

Mon Dec 9, 2013, 10:14 AM

Dec 2013

Should they be? Also, I have an emachine which isn't made anymore, so I'm not sure if I should look up drivers for emachines or gateway. How would I even know if I need to update any of them?

Something really odd has been going on with videos I play on the internet. It doesn't matter if they're on YouTube or any other site but they keep freezing sometimes for several seconds, the audio doesn't match the video, they'll get all pixelated now and then, etc. This has been going on for nearly a year and it keeps getting worse. It doesn't matter either if it's a short file of only a minute or one that's over an hours, and a lot of times the shorter ones tend to look worse. It feels almost like being on dialup again (ok not that bad)... does that mean I have to update my video driver or something? It's weird though that if I download the video and then watch it on my computer with a media player (I use VLC) it works fine. It's been driving me nuts for months and months... maybe even a year now.

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XP user here - should I go with Vista or Windows 7? [View all] TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 OP

Windows 7 is Vista improved. Go with Windows 7. Also... PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #1

it's an Intel Pentium 4 516 TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #12

1024 isn't much memory these days, Windows 7 really should have at least 4 x as much. n/t PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #17

Your computer is totally underpowered for Vista or Windows 7 TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #33

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH! TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #36

You may be a bit out of your depth, but you aren't helpless... TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #38

my major problem is that I'm broke and unemployed TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #39

Try Craigslist Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #41

XP was nice A Little Weird Dec 2013 #2

Damn - how much will it cost? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #8

Windows 7 is good until 2020 (and I do think it is a bit better than XP). PoliticAverse Dec 2013 #16

They're not cheap A Little Weird Dec 2013 #30

From a technical standpoint, XP is far from the best OS they've released. TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #34

It won't stop working just because you don't get any more "updates". It may work smoother. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #3

I don't use remote access either TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #11

If you can download an .iso of the program from their website. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #19

I believe the poster already stated... TroglodyteScholar Dec 2013 #35

Could have been totally legal and licensed at the time, you don't know and neither do I hobbit709 Dec 2013 #37

The disks came from the IT guy TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #44

IMO Windows ME still holds the title of worst m$ os released to date PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #15

ME sucked but at least MS took it off the market after a couple of months. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #18

That's because ME was horrible, what's bad about 8 is the UI, not the underlying OS. PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #20

The problem with 8 is that it's an OS designed for touchscreen. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #21

I completely agree, microsoft missed the boat on this one. PrestonLocke Dec 2013 #29

Wait... they're getting rid of Outlook, too???? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #40

xp unsupported? Pharaoh Dec 2013 #4

Microsoft confirmed that as of April 8, 2014 XP will no longer be supported TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #5

It won't magically stop working. That just means you won't get any more updates or call in help. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #6

What about drivers though? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #9

Drivers come from the hardware manufacturer. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #10

I've never updated drivers in all the years I've had this computer TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #13

If it ain't broke, don't fix it is my motto. hobbit709 Dec 2013 #14

I'm buying my mom a laptop for Christmas and polly7 Dec 2013 #7

Seems a good choice. ucrdem Dec 2013 #22

The thing is, she thinks she really has to push hard on the on/off switch polly7 Dec 2013 #23

LOL ucrdem Dec 2013 #24

I tried telling her to leave the front switch on and just let it hibernate, or sleep polly7 Dec 2013 #25

. ucrdem Dec 2013 #26

Hey ..... it was a brand new mouse and mousepad still in the wrapping! polly7 Dec 2013 #27

I've got a 6545C Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #43

It sure looks exactly like it when I do a google image search. polly7 Dec 2013 #45

I've gutted the insides and the box is just sitting waiting for me to take it to recycle place Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #47

OMGosh, that would be amazing! polly7 Dec 2013 #48

Awesome! Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #49

Power switch is fairly easy to replace, polly 7. Old and In the Way Dec 2013 #51

Thanks so much .... polly7 Dec 2013 #52

My pleasure, polly7! Old and In the Way Dec 2013 #53

Awesome! polly7 Dec 2013 #54

Windows 7. ohheckyeah Dec 2013 #28

Message auto-removed Name removed Dec 2013 #31

There's not much to worry about. I doubt if you go to any dangerous sites and... BlueJazz Dec 2013 #32

they're not discontinuing XP Pro? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #42

Xp Pro is basically the same. ...and no, it doesn't matter. BlueJazz Dec 2013 #50

Wow, you would do that??? TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #55

Sure...no problem. You'll have to wait for about a week though. I'm going to a friend tonight.. BlueJazz Dec 2013 #56

No problem TorchTheWitch Dec 2013 #57

The best advice imho was upthread about disconnecting it from the net Duer 157099 Dec 2013 #46