There is nothing that I know of that is going to make dial-up faster that what it is. If you really are limited to dial-up only, you might want to investigate getting a 2nd phone line for the pc only because uploading/downloading anything other than very small files could tie up a phone line for hours...and I'd hate to think how long an update to Windows might take. Your mileage may vary...but I'd learn to live without a computer if I didn't have broadband. If you have no access to either cable or DSL, you might want to check out wireless access from whatever cellphone provider has a tower in your area. It might be expensive and there would probably be low usage limits but it would be preferable to dial-up speed.

If you stay with XP you can only effectively use up to 3 gigs of RAM so most elect for 2 gigs (2 x 1gig sticks matched). But if you go for Vista you can use more. Computers loaded with Windows 7 seem destined to hit store shelves before Christmas.

See the link below, published June 25th, for limited time pricing of the new Windows 7.

On the dial up issue you probably will not get much better speeds than those you currently have.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows 7 upgrade deal

if you have good cell phone signals where you live then you could probably do better by getting an air card from which ever wireless provider has the tower nearest you. I have an att air card I use on my laptop when I travel it is $60 a month and has a 5 gig cap which you would probably be fine with. Look up att, verizon, t mobile or any others that provide data connection through their networks and see if the map shows you in their covered area or call them and ask. I have had good luck with my att air card, I know verizon has good coverage also.

I would not advise falling for any of the so called accelerators that are out there they are just scams and many are loaded with malware.

I would not get a 64 bit, somethings just won't work with it. I am even having problems with Firefox and have gone back to IE.

Dial up is hard to live with but at least if you are lucky, you can get it for free Check www.dialinfree.com for your area. I have several clients using it and they make yearly donations instead of "buying" service. Remember with a Dell, especially a intro model, service may be expensive later. Luckily Dell is great with documentation and you should download everything you need after purchase just in case you have to start over and can't find your restore cds. The power supply on some of them is very weak and goes out within the first two years. You can't replace a Dell PSU with an off the shelf unit and buying from Dell will mean a large expenditure. I usually pick up old Dells just to stock the power supply units. If starting new, I prefer companies like Envision Computer Systems. A little pricier but the service is there. Base unit for home use is about 500.00

after recently helping a friend work on his dell and trying to install linux on it or windows 7 I personally would never own one. The thing is so proprietary. I want a system that I can change things on if I need to and not be forced to get it just from them. Which is why I prefer custom built computers, you have it built with just what you want with which ever brand parts you want and you make the decisions.

My Dell computer, I changed the RAM, VGA card, HDD, and add in Sound Card and a USB 2.0 card without even having to go through Dell and they will still honor the warranty as long as it's not problems arousing from those I stuffs added in.

I also live in the country and use dial-up, as that is the only thing available other than satellite. Satellite is 3x the price, and just not worth it for me...

What is your connection rate? Mine is 46.6. If it is really low, you may be able to get the phone company to do something - but it is very difficult to get them to do so. Have them do a line test, etc. They are usually not very cooperative - but if you are persistant (and nice about it) the sometimes will work on getting better lines in.

I do have a v.92 modem. Along with call waiting and caller ID it allows me to see if I have an incoming call and who it is. I can accept or decline the call. You would need to check to see if your ISP is compatible with the v.92. It will still work as a modem if they are not, but the call waiting feature will not work.

Most people find it hard to believe that I can exhist on dialup, lol - but it works fine for me. Also, the free dial-up services do not have any local numbers in my area, so I am unable to use them...

$700/yr for service on top of the $700 unit. i suppose its like paying for gas for a car but the ratio is not 1:1 in the first year. but having a computer without internet is rather pointless.

Iowagirl I have cable now, but have had dial up twice, I used Juno and it was satisfactory.

Joe, don't jump to "rather pointless", it is unusual, but not pointless. I didn't go on line for a year after I bought my first PC and had a lot of fun with it and loved the email and the forwards. I laugh at that now. I love researching and wouldn't be without the internet.

how did you do emails and forwards with out connecting?

Juno had free email without internet. I don't know how they did it. I was lucky enough to have one of their phone numbers close enough.

Ah joe_mn there was no internet in the days of the Commodore 64 but we had a wonderful time with this new fangled gadget. It was a huge step forward from Atari and Coleco. Who knew about some strange 'internet' thing? Then along comes a PC and we actually rave at the ability to post to bulletin boards, I had to dial long distance to connect to a BBS

With a 300 Baud modem. Those were the days.

I'm a little late here as I am on vacation.

I too live in rural America and only have access to dial-up. Satellite is way too expensive for my needs as I have other interests and demands so my on-line time is less than an hour a day.

Two years ago when I finally went from my HP P2 Win98 OE to a HP Vista I noticed a tremendous improvement in the Internet. The connection speed hadn't changed, but the processing of the data by the system had increased tremendously. It makes dial-up even more tolerable.

DA