I have a Compaq Proliant 8000T (8SSXE1), XP Home SP. 3, Intel 2.2, maxed at 1 GB memory, (2) 80 GB drives-the second is setup to automatic backup of data on primary drive. Since I bought the system new in 2002, have downloaded, installed, tried out, then uninstalled (USUALLY successfully) TONS of apps. Now that the SSD's are out, am thinking about replacing my primary drive with one. My data is kept currently backed up on 2nd drive, but will make sure and backup on DVDs since I gotta bunch anyway. I have the original install disks and LOTS of time cause it will require it, not only to re-install the original XP but all the other stuff that came with it, then all the updates, service packs, etc. The system is definitely slower, McAfee takes all night to run, other apps are slower, too. Have run all disk maintenance XP has plus CCleaner, but I think it's time for a fresh install.
Now, will my system support SSD?
Is it a waste of time/money for an old system that I don't think will support Windows 7 (ain't going to Vista, that's for sure!!!)
Should I replace BOTH drives with SSDs?
What would be some good brands to check into?
The 2nd drive is also used as a NAS for 2 laptops, instead of that, would an NAS connected to my router (Cisco/Linksys WRT54G) be better?
Thanks in advance
SandisDadAs an alternative to removing an internal HDD and replacing it with an internal SSD you might want to consider the use of an external SSD connected via a USB port. If your desire is to increase the availability of storage so as to lessen the current used space on your 2 existing internals you have a MULTITUDE of options. I have answered you initially based on my observation of your SSD stated route. However if you want additional storage you could achieve this by an internal HDD (sata/ide as required) or external of larger storage size. They are available of sizes over 2 TB now. I am aware of the SSD concept and their virtues however byte for byte they are still quite expensive when compared with sata/ide drives. truenorthHow full in your primary hard drive partition, your OS partition?  If you disable McAfee, do you notice a difference in performance? There's 142 GB used, 309 available. Yeah, thought McAfee mite be the culprit, too, but when I renewed about 2 months ago, deliberately let it expire, uninstalled it, ran MCE (McAfee tool to remove remnants of the program), went to some safe sites and downloaded, accessed bank ACCOUNT, etc. Still slow. Have ran MSCONFIG several times over the years, unchecked programs that had been uninstalled but still showing running in the background, so unchecked them, a few months later, it is back. Just so much stuff over 10  years needs cleaning up, that's why I'm taking extra step to move data to DVDs, then blow away the old XP, start over fresh......MAYBE on new drive if it's cost effective
Also, how secure is anything stored on SSD? Not virus-wise, but will it be there when I need it until I remove it....just been using the coventional HDD for so long, kinda cautious about something new like this. Shoot, I've got an original IBM 10 MB MFM?RLL drive stashed around here somewhere-a unique paperweight now, but I think they sold for $10,000 new..."back in the day"
Thanks for your reply and the good idea you had.
SandisDadGlad to hear you're saving files to DVD.  Based on the background info you've provided regarding your comupter, formatting and resinstalling Windows may, indeed, be the best/easiest solution for you.  I don't really see that need to buy an SSD drive.  But, running a hard drive diagnostic tool to check your two 80GB drives is probably a good idea.

If you're still thinking of improving the situation without formatting your drive, then you should probably do a thorough review of programs installed and remove ones you don't need, and review processes normally running in your Window 0S to see whether some can be disabled. 

What hard drive defragmenting?  How long since you've done that? I hate to say it, but you have a 10 year old machine that maxes out at 1GB of memory.  You have gotten your monies worth out of that machine.  Rather than buy a SSD drive I would put that money towards a new computer with lots more RAM, not to mention a faster processor, a bigger HD.  You can almost buy a new computer for not much more than the cost of a large SSD.

And get your files transferred before your old machine dies.SOYBEAN: Sorry, but that drive info was from my laptop! Why are my “Senior Moments” getting longer....Anyway, the primary drive on the tower is: 42.3 GB used and 32.1 free-should be plenty for XP to work in. There is probably so much crud in the registry and operating system in general that can't be removed and bogging down the system. That's why I plan to do a clean install of XP-I saw somewhere (Windows, Compaq, cnet.com) a program to specifically help format the drive and prepare it for new install, ensuring no little hidden “gotchas”.
TRUENORTH: Great suggestion of the USB external boot drive, I'll have to check my bootup options and see. A 120 GB 7,200 RPM internal drive was optional when I ordered this unit, but opted for the 80. I'm not hurting for storage space as I have automated backup to move to the secondary drive of the folders where I store important info, then periodically move that onto LightScribe DVDs. I just thought, since I'll be doing a fresh install, maybe try an SSD, which are more costly, or just go with a conventional 120 GB HDD which are probably dirt cheap nowdays. As you said, there are a multitude of options, just pondering my best bet. Perhaps I'll contact a distributor (Newegg, CDW, etc) see what is best bet.
I honestly don't use it near as much as I used to, wired directly to router, same with the OfficeJet which is setup to share on my network. Mostly used for graphics, scanning pictures, downloading video from camcorder and editing it.
RTHOMPSON80819: Yeah, I know it would be more cost effective to just buy a new system. Back in the '80s, I built XT/AT clones from scratch and it was much cheaper. But much simpler since there wasn't the complexity of current systems-wondering which hardware component will work with others and how to get the max out of it.
Many thanks to ya'll for your input, I appreciate you taking the time to reply to my issue.
Happy Trails,
SandisDad You mentioned CCleaner in your original post.  Did you use it's file cleanup utility, the registry cleaner, or both?  If you have not used its registry cleaner, I suggest you try it.  Some members of this forum are fervently opposed to ever using any registry cleaner and I understand their reasoning.  But, CCleaner if very safe and due to the background of your computer, as you've described it, and since you're thinking of formatting the hard drive and doing a fresh install of all software, why not try the registry cleaner - again, I'm assuming you have not done so - and see whether it makes any noticeable difference? Hi, I agree with  rthompson80819 . Your Compaq doesn't support sata and has limited IDE support from my research. So an SSD is not able to be installed (I know they have usb ones etc) but who wants an SSD running on USB 2.0. Also the 80gb hard drives should be replaced and if you intend to reload windows why not use the reload on a new machine 

Lisa
  Quote from: Lisa_maree on February 20, 2012, 05:37:11 PM

... the 80gb hard drives should be replaced ...

if you intend to reload windows why not use the reload on a new machine