Business PC Failing - Suggested Fix?

[VaultTechy]

I'm the "tech guy" at the small business I work at and we've got a couple of computers that are basically held together with magic. Finally after roughly a dozen years of daily use they're beginning to buckle, and it's up to me to sort it all out.

The two PCs run Windows XP, with one using the programs and files off the other via home network sharing. The actual business' files are only about a hundred gigabytes but because we're an account based clientele situation we gotta have that info. We use a package of programs that I'm always positive are from a now defunct company but my boss insists they still exist, so compatibility is questionable - my boss won't call the company because he says they charge some crazy amount like 200$ for their phone tech support. Both PCs probably have OEM Windows keys but did not sniff out a problem when I swapped the motherboards and power supplies a few years ago.

I'd like to get proper PCs to replace this because my boss doesn't really understand hardware degradation and the way that programs are getting more complex. A dozen years ago he could check his AOL, go on Yahoo! for news and run the POS software on these no problem, but when he tries to boot up Outlook, Yahoo! and POS now it crashes the PC. Explaining to him that 2016 websites are harder to run than 2004 websites has been impossible so he keeps running the rails off these expecting it to work.

However, the most important thing here is not losing this data. Naturally I'm going to back it up very soon but for the time being, I need some suggestions. Build or buy, try to go to a newer OS, try replacing parts in our current rigs, what has worked for you guys?

Specs (both PCs identical)
120GB HDD
1GB RAM
AMD Sempron 3400+ 1.8GHz
Windows XP SP3

 

[USAFRet]

Naturally I'm going to back it up very soon but...

No, that is what you do now, last week, last year.

Data is far more important than the hardware. Or the OS. Or reinstalling everything if needed..

 

[secolliyn]

Tell your boos that he hired you for a reason and that you understand computer better than him you are doing your best to keep these computers running but enough is enough and that the company needs to get new ones in the case that ou do not get new computers i will of course continue doing my best but this hardware will fail sooner rather than later.

The last company the hired me that had old computers 10+ years old i replaced every single one with one of these
http://www.kangaroo.cc/kangaroo/
Intel Atom x5 z8500 Processor
4GB LPDDR3 Memory 64GB eMMC storage
Kangaroo Dock included
Finger Print Reader

then build a nice server something that will last 10+ years for the company set up a real network for the programs and files
then your job will be much easier

 

[PsyKhiqZero]

You need to try to verify if those essential programs will run on windows 10. If you can find the installation files or try copying them to a USB stick. Try them on a newer PC. IF they won't run you'll need to look into moving to virtual machines.