Best Browser for XP?

[mark_is_resting]

I have resurrected an old PC by cannibalizing parts from non-working machines but it's still an old single core processor at it's heart, 32Bit, 3100Ghz with 2x80Gb IDE drives, fully loaded with 3Gb of PC3200 RAM which is all it will take. I put Win7(32) on it to test but it runs like a complete dog, there's just not enough processing power to support Win7 without me wanting to throw it out of the window. So I went back and put on XP, fully up to date. I know Microsoft don't support it any longer so I'm aware of the security risks but Virus is up to date, Malware checks went I need to, very careful about what I download etc and more than capable of rolling it back to a previous checkpoint anytime I want if necessary - I'm aware of the risk but prepared to take them as the PC runs pretty well but having a few issues with my browsers.

Would normally use Firefox (currently 51.0.1) and usually it's OK just now and again runs off to grab 99% of the CPU without doing very much. Also it doesn't like Ebay, regularly stalls and eventually comes back with a script not responding message. Otherwise I use Chrome but that doesn't like Outlook (I still use my ancient Hotmail account as my main Email; I can cope with it and it's the address everyone has, unchanged for nearly 20 years now.

Can anyone suggest a decent alternative browser, ideally relatively light as it an old, potentially slow if I overload it machine?

 

[n0ns3ns3]

well, your best bet would be probably installing Linux on this machine and using it with chromium.
But even than, opening more than 2-3 tabs in a browser would be about the limit of what this machine can do.

 

[mark_is_resting]

Thanks but I have Linux (Ubuntu 14.04.5) installed on one of the HDDs and wanted a 'viable' Windows on the other so I could switch simply by rebooting off the other drive. It's not that's it's currently impossible just a pain as running both Firefox and Chrome at the same time, even if they are doing 'nothing', can cause that PC to freeze. Using the Windows Task Manager to 'give it a kick' sometimes works but other times I have to kill a process or two to get it breathing again.

 

[n0ns3ns3]

there is nothing viable in windows unless you are gaming.
and this machine is definitely not a gaming one.

 

[mark_is_resting]

Ha Ha. I understand ur no lover of Microsoft; can't say I blame you. The PC is not for me but for someone who has no money but want to learn about Linux. I have to give him something he can use and something he can learn with. One of those drives will be an XP build, no discussion, no debate so was just asking whether anyone had encountered similar problems and had a decent solution.

No worries, I guess he'll just have to live with the (very many) limitations.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[n0ns3ns3]

you haven't seen my Apple love XD.
anyway, i'd say chrome with couple of tabs open is a lighter browser than FF.

 

[mark_is_resting]

Yeah, given the inherent limitations, Chrome does seem to run cleaner/lighter under XP than FF but it certainly doesn't like Outlook/Hotmail. Chrome is honest in saying it doesn't 'support' XP any longer so maybe a retro version out of a FileHippo archive?

Whichever way has it's risks. Me, just built the thing, trying to live with it for a couple of weeks to flush out as many snags as I can before passing it on in the New Year. Don't worry, I will explain the risks and the limitations but it's still got to be better than nothing which is what he currently has.

 

[Deleted member 1898488]

Advanced Chrome: http://browser.taokaizen.com/ "Custom" Fork
Chrome 54, fairly OK
Check out the New Moon (Firefox Variant) Project:

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/177125-my-build-of-new-moon-temp-name-aka-pale-moon-for-xp/

 

[turbofiat124]

I don't know about the version above but here is the 2014 version of Chrome that runs fine on XP.

http://vetusware.com/download/Google%20Chrome%20XP%20installer%2049.0.2623.112/?id=14190

 

[Deleted member 1898488]

I've never had any problems with Advanced Chrome on XP (or on any other OS, for that matter.)

 

[mark_is_resting]

Thanks guys. PC wasn't for me but for someone who wanted to learn about Linux but no spare cash for, well almost anything it seems. I wanted to keep it simple so Ubantu on one of the 80s and something windows with which he is familiar on the other. Like for like (almost) side by side, you can try the 'new' yet fall back on the old without kicking anything, living or inanimate. I've pass it on to him, suitable warnings in place, backup and support around the corner, simply told him Firefox will hang with eBay and Chrome will freeze with Outlook and avoid any financial stuff, be careful even with PayPal..... assume all emails asking for a security check are suspect, do not click a link but open a new window and logon to the site directly - if the issue is real there will be a secure message and chase it down that way...... But then everyone should do that regardless of how secure you think your system is.

Anyway it's , it's working, he (says he) is happy and he was running Linux last time I visited so that's at least a step in the right direction.