Just to let you all know, my friend took the advice of Gordon, our local Computer Expert, who took his old computer away, and modified it as follows:
New case with 300w power supply (original power supply inadequate).
PC Chips motherboard with integrated Video, Modem, Sound, Network Card
AMD 1.7Ghz Processor
254MB SDram
AMD processor fan
16x DVD/ 40x CD Player
Video Card Creative 3D Blaster GeForce2 Titanium 64 Mb/ 400MHz/ DDR/ AGP/ TV
His old Hard Drive and Floppy Drive were re-used.
Virtually a new package. Cost £290, including labour, for the above (and he’s got the better part of another computer in components left over!)
Before adding the GeForce card, he was getting between 9 and 22fps at 640X480 res. He then went from 128Mb Memory to256Mb- not much difference. However, since adding the additional (low cost- £50- included in above price)Video Card, performance has leapt to between 24 and 34fps at 800x600 res. Beautifully smooth and realistic operation.
Thanks for all the replies and advice- appreciated.