IT help needed

[Fyldewhite]

Background:
Need to look at the golf clubs network which has been really stable for many years running XP, the demise of which has raised the question of upgrades etc.
Our current set up is two main PC's in the office which run the EPOS and HandicapMaster databases as well as the usual office apps for secretary/treasurer. These are around 5/6 years old but would only need a memory upgrade to run Windows 7/8. Another 2 PC's run the PSI touchscreens in the public areas (not used for anything else). Another PC in the ladies room used for HandicapMaster and Ladies Sec admin etc. This is being replaced by a Windows Vista (I know, I know) donated PC and is a done deal.

Current thinking:
Plan to replace the two office PC's with pre-installed Windows 7 with Upgrade to 8.1 if possible (there may be issues with EPOS software on 8.1 so may not want to go to that straight away). Re-utilise the existing office PC's to replace PSI machines that just won't run a later OS and upgrade them to Windows 7/8.

Questions:
1. If the PSI machines stayed on XP (not forever, but maybe for 12 monhts to spread costs etc), what are the real security risks given they hold no data, do not have any activity on the internet that could be captured etc?
2. Thinking of Office 365 as an option. Anyone any comments on this or just continue with Office 2003 which we've used for years.
3. If we take all PC's capable of running Windows to (say) Windows 7. What would be the cheapest way to do this and any advice on where to purchase from? Looking online there are Win 7 refurbished with licence keys etc for around £50......are these legit? Would it be simpler to bite the bullet and buy Win 8? Seems such an overhead to spend on OS and memory to basically run an input screen!
4. Any other constructive advice?

 

[guest100718]

Do you have any money at all to spend? I ask as you can pick up ex coorparate Dell boxes with win 7 for pretty cheap these days, and they'll happily run all that you need.

As for XP, MS are not offering anymore public security fixes or updates, so if you can move away from it then I would. Ive not tried 365 as we run office 2010, but if you have 2003 and its doing the job...why spen more? there are also free alternatives to office.

Make sure you check for application compatibility first before you commit to upgrading.

 

[Fyldewhite]

We have budget but obviously not unlimited. Never considered the refurb market tbh (Doh!). Had a quick look just now and certainly seems to be by far the cheapest way of upgrading. Windows 7 is supported to 2020 so sure that will suffice and all our apps are confirmed OK on that.

Thanks Paddy.

 

[CMAC]

I've used DELL OUtlet section many times- you can get high specced machines way cheaper than a new low spec....and still have warranty

 

[Foxholer]

I don't believe there's much likelihood of security breaches for the PSI machines - unless folk are using the USB ports to shunt data around.

The whole Microsoft XP malarkey is a bit of a red herring anyway imo. If you have Anti-virus software installed, as you should, that should give you all the protection you need. I'm certainly not upgrading this XP machine, though I use 7 on the currently poorly one.

Can't see the point of going to 8 unless using a touch screen!

But in the medium term, I would try to migrate then all to 'working' ones 7, just so everything is more consistent.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Office 2013 in any version wont work on an XP machine, so stick with 2003

the whole XP vulnerability thang has been over hyped imo, with no internet connection, there is virtually nil chance of a problem.
Agree Dell outlet is a good option, but also checkout Zoostorm PC's at Amazon or Ebuyer as they are really good value and still do windows 7 in some

Here is one with a half decent spec without an operating system for £210 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoostorm-78...=UTF8&qid=1399644491&sr=1-8&keywords=zoostorm