I have a Dell Dimension C521 desktop running XP and using Outlook Express as my email program. Upgrade to Windows 8 a good idea????????

Hey man, figure its a bit to late but my c521 has been perfectly running windows 8 for half a year now! I didn't do any upgrading other then added 2G or RAM, but it was a piece of cake. Burned install to a usb stick, and i was home free. Had a little bit of trouble with wifi, and sound, but I'm 20 and just winged it so I'm pretty sure anyone else can do it. Heres a page i found with all the drivers: http://www.driverscape.com/manufacturers/dell/laptops-desktops/dimension-c521/1552

Its completely possible, and totally worth it when achieved!

I was afraid of something like that; so glad I asked.

Thanks for the info.

Thanks so much for the information - haven't had time to follow

all the instructions but will certainly try.

Outlook Express  is only available with XP.  You may want to try Windows 7 as most Vista device drivers are compatable.

I would suggst you create an Image Backup of XP before you try any upgrade.

EaseUS Todo Backup Home V6.0 http://www.todo-backup.com/

Free version: http://www.todo-backup.com/products/home/free-backup-software-features.htm

(Note: Install Todo and then create an "Emergency Disk" before you start creating your first image backup)

Version 5.8 supports XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8

========== Keyless Install of Windows 7 ======================

This will allow you to try Windows 7 for 30 days.

How to perform a 'Keyless Install' of Windows:

Boot from the Windows 7 DVD disc you created and start the installation process.

After you enter user name and password you will be asked to: 'Type your Windows product key', do not enter a key.

Also located just below the box where you would enter the key is a box with a check mark to 'Automatically activate Windows when I am online', remove the check mark and click 'Next'.

You will now have a 30 day grace period in which to activate Windows.

During this 30 day grace period you can try resolving your problems. 

After you are satisfied all problems have been resovled then activate Windows.

========== Create your own Windows 7 installation DVD ===============

Download the appropriate Windows 7 .ISO file which includes Service Pack 1

Windows 7 Home Premium 32Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso

Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit: http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso

After downloading the correct .iso file use ImgBurn or Gear ISO to create a bootable DVD.

Create a Bootable Windows 7 DVD using the .ISO file

Burning a Windows 7 ISO File on a DVD

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/977640

ImgBurn - In addition to supporting the creation of Cds/DVDs from .ISO files,

it supports a wide range of other image file formats, and it's free.

(BIN, CUE, DI, DVD, GI, IMG, MDS, NRG, PDI and ISO)

http://www.imgburn.com/

Screen shots to help you use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/index.php?act=screenshots

Burning ISO Images with ImgBurn article: http://neosmart.net/wiki/display/G/Burning+ISO+Images+with+ImgBurn

(The steps are the same for Windows 7 or Windows 8), except you are not creating a Repair disc but a full installation DVD)

Note: Always use high quality DVD+R media and the slowest burn speed (4x or 6x) if offered a choice.

====================== Device Drivers ===============================

Go to your computer manufacture's support web site and check for Windows 7 or Vista drivers for your specific model number.

If there are Windows drivers, then download to a folder on your hard drive and install all of them, starting with the Motherboard/chipset drivers, SATA, LAN, Audio, USB, Graphics, Webcam, Etc., and so on.

List of Computer Manufacturer's support sites:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/contact-support/computer-manufacturers

Tips for fixing common driver problems

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Tips-for-fixing-common-driver-problems

Vista: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Tips-for-fixing-common-driver-problems

Graphics/Video drivers:

Check the Graphics card manufacture's download site for the most recent Windows 7 drivers for your card.

ATI: http://support.amd.com/us/gpudownload/Pages/index.aspx

NVIDIA: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index5.aspx?lang=en-us

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Hi,

No; you will have major problems.

If you go to the supplied Dell link in this reply, you will see that Dell does not supply Drivers or Support for your Desktop Model after Vista.

Click on the Operating System drop down menu there.

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/us/en/04/Product/dimension-c521

And Microsoft also provides an Upgrade Advisor for Windows 8 to make it simpler for people to check their Computers for Windows 8 compatibility.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/upgrade-to-windows-8

Cheers.