Computer (Page 2): You don't list where you are living so I can't give you a specific place to go, but there are places in the bigger towns where you might find a refurbished computer...

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

You don't list where you are living so I can't give you a specific place to go, but there are places in the bigger towns where you might find a refurbished computer that might do what you want in your budget range. We even have an Apple authorized repair place here in Tucson that sells refurbished units. There are also places here that will custom build you a computer. One place here in town that builds and sells refurbished and are on e bay as well.

http://www.shopsws.com/refurbished.html

Racmanaz Loc: Sunny Tucson!

I just bought this ASUS computer from B&H photo about 2 weeks ago. $479.00 free shipping. Now my LR5 starts up in about 5 seconds compared to about 20-30 secs on old computer, which is now dead!

ASUS M32BF Desktop Computer
B&H # ASM32BFUS011 MFR # M32BF-US011S
3.5 GHz AMD A10-7800 Quad-Core CPU
16GB of DDR3 RAM
Integrated AMD Radeon R7 Graphics
3TB 7200 rpm Hard Drive
SuperMulti DVD Burner
802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 / HDMI / VGA
6-in-1 Card Reader
Keyboard & Mouse Included
Windows 8.1

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1222825-REG/asus_m32bf_us011s_m32bf_desktop_computer.html

blackest Loc: Ireland

Gary Hunt 1967 wrote:

I know everyone says to update but I don't think I can based on processor etc. Anyway, here is what I have:

Intel(R) Core (TM)2 Duo CPU T7500@2.2Ghz
Windows 10
RAM 3 GIG (I'm fully aware LR5 recommends minimum of 8GIG but I don't think my system can be updated any higher than it is)
32Bit OS
232 GIG Hard drive

Appreciate any help you might be able to provide

It kind of depends on the bios it's a 64 bit cpu, but i've come across systems with a 64bit cpu that can't run in 64 bit mode.

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

You can download a 64bit version of ubuntu at this link. You can either burn an iso to a DVD or create a bootable USB stick
Even with no interest in Linux if the DVD boots up to the Desktop you know you can run a 64 bit version of Windows.
If not it's time to change.

Assuming you can run 64 bit. Then it may be worth upgrading, You can get a quad core cpu that would replace the core 2 duo and or upgrade the Ram to what the system will handle. The only negative to this is that if it uses ddr2 ram it will be more expensive to buy ram than if it uses ddr3...

If it's a generic PC then a new mainboard and processor could be an option with i3, i5 or i7 cpu hopefully at least 4 ram slots.

Upgrade or replace it can be a tough call. Then you might be able to buy a used office tower for a couple of $100 with a more recent processor and technology.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Gary Hunt 1967 wrote:

Computer is slowly dying.

What brand/model is it, and what processor does it have? Installing a Samsung 500GB SSD and increasing memory will help. Unfortunately, you usually have to replace the memory, rather than just add because the slots are typically filled with memory cards. I recently replaced four 2GB cards with four 4GB cards.

rmm0605 Loc: Atlanta GA

Gary Hunt 1967 wrote:

I am retired and living off fixed income. Computer is slowly dying. Use computer pretty much for LR5 and Elements exclusively and YouTube to view photography tutorials. I'm not a professional photographer, pretty good, and enjoy it as a hobby. Need recommendations on new computer. Hear about all the standard ones then I hear about Asus. Can I get by with 8 gig ram or should I really have more? Probably have 700-800 dollars to spend. Thanks for your help.

Go online and get a free program called "C Cleaner." It will hunt down and delete tons of useless junk on your computer. If you want, also download a program called "space sniffer." This program will analyze your disc(s) and visually show you what is taking up space. It's a good tool for isolating large, unwanted files. If, after a thorough cleaning your computer still doesn't perform up to snuff, you can all an IT whiz and see what he/she can do. All this will cost you is the IT pro's time.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

TriX wrote:

While an I7 CPU might be desirable, a fast I5 proc... (show quote)

I pretty much agree with TriX on the specs of a new computer. I built my own desktop based on those very components. If you intend to buy one, I like the ASUS brand, especially since they build computers under other brand labels. I would also recommend NEWEGG.COM to purchase from. Good luck.

tkeegan Loc: North Texas

Gary, whatever you decide on, new or cleaning your current PC, it is very important to back up your photos. You can get a 500g portable drive that's about the size of a deck of cards for about $50, or 1 Terabyte drive for about $70. Great in case your PC ever does go belly up.

Gary Hunt 1967

All ready have a Toshiba 1T external drive. Thank you for your suggestion. I think now the next thing for me to decide is which laptop to go with. Not sure that there is really much difference these days in the quality of laptops from each manufacturer.

Thanks again.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

What brand/model is it, and what processor does it have? Installing a Samsung 500GB SSD and increasing memory will help. Unfortunately, you usually have to replace the memory, rather than just add because the slots are typically filled with memory cards. I recently replaced four 2GB cards with four 4GB cards.

The 32 bit OS can only address 4GB of memory, so upgrading memory past 4GB is pointless unless you also spend the money to upgrade the OS ($100+). By the time you've done both + upgraded the hard drive you're over halfway to a new machine, but with a very old CPU. Personally, I prefer to build my own, but the OP may not enjoy that type of exercise as much as some of us "techies" 😈

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

TriX wrote:

You are most welcome. Others on the forum may have additional advice (or opinions)...

The only comment that I would make about the specs provided would be to add that a DVD drive is no longer an absolute need so I wouldn't let them charge you $ 100 for one. I have bought a portable one, for less than $30, that I use when needed. Much of today's software comes from the web! Other than that comment, I think the advice to be spot on!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

cjc2 wrote:

The only comment that I would make about the specs provided would be to add that a DVD drive is no longer an absolute need so I wouldn't let them charge you $ 100 for one. I have bought a portable one, for less than $30, that I use when needed. Much of today's software comes from the web! Other than that comment, I think the advice to be spot on!

No argument there! I wouldn't pay $100 for a DVD drive either. I believe I paid about $50-60 for my BluRay internal, and the extra capacity of BluRay is awfully handy for archive. I will say though that the blank disks are relatively expensive and not always easy to find...

newsguygeorge Loc: Victoria, Texas

I am going to agree with those posters who suggested having a professional look at your computer. However, even before that, the first thing I would consider is to ditch the Windows 10 and return to windows 7. I’ll spare you all my rants about Micro$oft and Win10.

Even so, after seeing your post on the specs, I’d say a new computer is the best option and would add these points. Lenovo has been busted for malware and spyware. I wouldn’t go near one with a 10-foot pole. We’ve had good luck with ASUS, having both a desktop and laptop. I’ve had both main drives replaced with SSDs for the OS and most programs. Both run Win7 Home Premium. New Egg and Amazon are the two reliable sources with which I deal. Both offer good deals if you watch closely. I don’t mind buying some items used (i.e., I’d love to find a good deal on a DX 10-20 lens for my D5300), but I’d be careful of anything used or refurbished unless it’s from a reliable source like New Egg or B&H.

Good luck.

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Gary Hunt 1967 wrote:

All ready have a Toshiba 1T external drive. Thank you for your suggestion. I think now the next thing for me to decide is which laptop to go with. Not sure that there is really much difference these days in the quality of laptops from each manufacturer.

Thanks again.

My Gateway laptop has served me well going on 6 years now. I would also go with ASUS.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Gary Hunt 1967 wrote:

I am retired and living off fixed income. Computer is slowly dying. Use computer pretty much for LR5 and Elements exclusively and YouTube to view photography tutorials. I'm not a professional photographer, pretty good, and enjoy it as a hobby. Need recommendations on new computer. Hear about all the standard ones then I hear about Asus. Can I get by with 8 gig ram or should I really have more? Probably have 700-800 dollars to spend. Thanks for your help.

If you do buy a new machine buy one with the capability of at least 16 GB of RAM but buy it with 4 GB's installed and then upgrade on your own, a lot cheaper. How much RAM do you have now? I upgraded my Dell from 4 to 16 GB's of RAM and what a difference. I have two external drives that I keep my photography on and even though it's an old computer (6 years) it works fine.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

TriX wrote:

Given these specifications, I would suggest you up... (show quote)