Well it already has 4gb ram and it's 32bit, because it's an xp, so idk about that. My brother does have some spare hard dries iirc
those vague specifications tell me that it should be still capable of being used without being upgraded, i suggest installing Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2 32-bit
that is if you want to stay with the 32-bit version if compatibility is your biggest requirement (server 2003 is the most stable version of XP's kernel, and should be compatible with applications running on XP)
and if your HDD isn't dying, there is no need for a spare HDD unless you have a feeling that the S.M.A.R.T. statistics are bad enough
Desktop, my good sir
Well for gods sake the thing is like 15 years old do you really expect anything about it to be 64bit?
there still can be a 90% chance that your outdated desktop is capable of 64-bit operation, my Toshiba Satellite P25 is and was always said to be only capable of running 32-bit applications
but a CPU swap made it capable of running 64-bit applications
You can get a cheap less than 200 dollar modern computer which will probably out perform that virus filled windows XP.
So how much is windows 7 software these days?
Also factor in the price of the parts he needs to upgrade that computer.
Decent anti-virus software.
So you're spending about 100 dollars at least or more to upgrade an ancient computer when you could put in about 100 more dollars to get something better that will last longer.
Windows XP computers are old, wouldn't doubt it's nearing its last life.
I'm just being honest here.
XP machines are still capable of doing day-to-day tasks if its not related to DirectX 10 gaming and above
google chrome may not support XP but chrome 49 is still a viable browser that supports XP and can display most of the websites without entering a juggled up mess of UIs
plus LGA775 (considering he has 4GB of RAM and thats common in LGA775 builds) motherboards are still capable of being gamed on provided you overclock them
and things like parts are hilariously cheap (especially cpus) gpus on the other hand is a different case, but you still can get old parts for cheap
and honestly a modern 200 dollar computer whether it being a desktop or a laptop is a joke to certain fast ancient desktops or laptops, seriously
let us compare between these 2 processors:
(modern budget laptop processor) (ancient overclocker laptop processor)
Intel Mobile Celeron N2840 @ 2167MHz versus
Intel Mobile Core 2 Extreme X9100 @ 3067MHz2014 price: $107 (for the SoC only) 2008 price: $851 (for the CPU only)
2017 price: not known because nobody is selling them in SoC form, 2017 price: $9-17 (according to eBay)
though it could be bought around $150-$280 depending on the laptop
on the markets these days
upgradeable: no, it is BGA upgradeable: yes, it is PGA
..you obviously know which would win, right?
[OPTIONAL: THIS MAY NOT BE A GOOD RECOMMENDATION]anyways for anti-viruses, IT IS a common-sense thing that consumers should know what to not click and what to click or download
you'll honestly never need an anti-virus if you can protect yourself from fishy or sketchy looking ads or downloads (which i have done for the past 10 years)
if i have to quote somebody from a certain website: "
The best anti-virus is you."
