Advice please on upgrading a computer

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- How can I copy a lot of programmes and files from old too new?

The easiest way to copy your data files might be to simply install the hard disk from your old system as a second hard disk on the new system. Then you can drag and drop between them. Assuming that the new system has no more than 3 IDE devices (hard drive, cd-rom, cd-rw, internal zip etc) then there should be a spare slot for the old drive. Installation is fairly straightforward but it involves opening the box and perhaps configuring some small switches. Can give more details on this if required.

As for your programs - if they're not installed on the new system you should install them using the original installation disks. You usually can't just copy the relevant Program Files directory since important information for each program is store in a central place - the Windows registry.

- Can I install Win XP over W95?

Yes but not recommended. Much better to do a clean install of XP.

- The new computer has only two USB ports, can I increase this and how?

Yes, either with a USB hub that plugs into one of the ports or with a new USB interface card installed in the system. A USB hub would be easiet since it's external. Can get these for about £40.

Bear in mind that not all versions of Win 95 support USB. Win 95 and Win 95A (with Service Pack 1), Win 95B (aka OSR2) and Win95 C do. Might be better off with 98 if you're not going to bother with XP right now.

- The new computer has 128 RAM, how easy is it to increase to 256 SRAM?

Easy and not expensive - but it will depend on how many spare slots the PC has. If it is a retail name-brand box post the details here and I can probably find what it was fitted with as standard. If not you'll need to look inside - and may need to get some information about the motherboard and/or the memory that's already installed in order to buy the right stuff.

- Is it possible to remove the CDROM and replace with CD Writer?

Most likely - but if there is a spare slot in the case why not just add the CD-writer (as I mentioned earlier systems can almost alwasy take 4 IDE devices).