I tried several distros on the old Compaq, the ones I remember the names of are Mandriva (one or more variations), Mint... and was there one called Puppy? I remember liking Mint, which ran very well off CD on my desktop.

I have already partitioned this (4211) hard drive to separate OS/programs and data, and I used EASEUS and found it a complete doddle, so I hope it's OK to use it again - but of course it's easy enough to install another.

One possible snag that's just occurred to me: my router is a Thomson D8A13D and hardly anyone's heard of it. It was installed by TalkTalk/Tiscali when they replaced my PVR with exactly the same model but the new one wouldn't work with the existing router. I'll have to cross that bridge when I come to it 🙂

Another snag for the next few days is my obsession with new AV, rekindled by the 20% voucher which eBay sent me to try to make me buy on an unused ID. I ought not to afford it, but until the voucher expires on the 28th I'm a slave to researching it 😞 (Nowhere to put it, by the way, but I'm incorrigible.) I wish you lads were into AV.

I really appreciate your info and encouragement, OE :)