Sure...if your xppro is installed on it. But you should really follow ID's advice and save yourself another headache.

Exactly, accessing the net via another PC would expose both machines to malicious software... and given the serious nature of some recent ransomware attacks, it could render both machines permanently inoperable....ie DEAD!

So if you have little money and cannot afford a better, more modern machine to run a latter version of Windows, why not consider the Ubuntu/XP dual boot alternative?  It would provide you safe internet access while retaining XP as you save for an updated machine.... and it's not like it'll cost you anything to try it out.  Even some of the software in the repository would be familiar to you: Firefox; Open Office; 7-Zip; Real Media Player; VLC Media Player, and many more.... so it wouldn't be entirely alien to you.

Even better idea. I had Ubuntu as a dual boot on my laptop for awhile. It's a little different but fun to play with and a safe alternative. 

Thing is, Ubuntu is quite a useful OS that's not too hard to learn, and with tutorials available on-site, even a beginner can master its basic operations within no time.  I used it for a few months before building my new rig, which I prefer not to dual boot so I may take full advantage of ultra-fast boot with Win 8, but I am by no means finished with it. Once I am able to complete its intended home - a rebuilt AMD machine in need of a couple more parts- I'll have it up and running again.

 Thanks, Ubuntu sounds like a fun project.. Xp is smiling, I think she likes it too. Looking at Used desktop machines for $250-$300.. Dell or HP...  32 bit or 64 bit...must have dual core?...  Adding memory to the Xp was easy, would these machines be easy too. Thanks for any thoughts                        

  If I create extra users on my Xp. When the one I'm on gets too corrupted can I change to a new one without bringing the Corruption with Me,

If at first you don't succeed....................Read, Read, Read the Frickin Book!   Elephants always walk on their tip toes, I have three Shrinks and they all say I'm perfectly Alright........ as long as I pay cash.

From what I read before on threads all you need is really two accounts, one with all the admin privileges that allows you to make changes and adjustments to your computer and one that has no admin privileges, a guest account.  Use the guest account when you are surfing the internet, only use the admin account when you are updating the computer.  

EDIT:  Upgrading from XP to a newer OS would be advisable along with the use of a non-admin account.

Ubuntu is more than a fun project, it is a viable OS and can do pretty much all that XP can/could and more.  Apart from a software repository that has pretty much everything you'd need, there is a program/app called WINE, which allows Ubuntu and other Linux users to install Windows applications within it.  Now please don't get me wrong here, I am not suggesting that you ditch Windows for Ubuntu. 

I wouldn't, but it is an OS that, in a dual boot situation with XP, would serve most of your needs until you can get a dedicated Windows machine up and running.  You could of course keep the Ubuntu and XP machine even when you do find a replacement capable of running Win 7 or 8/8.1. 

As for Dell, HP, Acer, etc, there's not a lot of difference between evenly matched machines and one is as good as the other.  You best bet would be to inspect the machines on offer and make a decision on how well it performs, etc.  Now some of these machines will take hardware upgrades and others won't, so ask before you buy anything.  Usually the lower end machines are not upradedable while mid to upper range PCs will generally accept more RAM, a dedicated graphics card and additional HDDs.  Again, check and be sure before you buy anything... in some cases 2nd hand/used goods can be non-returnable.

Useing  ~Firefox~ with three Free anti-virus apps. that I run all the time. Cut everything to the ~Bare Bone~ on ~Black Viper~ suggestions on his web site, Use ~365 Wisecare~ and ~Advance Systems~  apps for everything else. Cleaned out the inside of my ~Baby~ and cut ~3in. by 8in.~ holes in the sides.~Been told a 14 yr. old machine needs all the ventilation it can get~. The ~XP Pro~ Has Never Ran as good as it does now ~Consistently~. Am  I ~Lucky~ or is ~Something~ going come along and ~Kill~ My ~XP~?????????????

14 years?  Old age will, sooner or later...;)

Most computer components have a mean end-of-life failure time. [MTTF].

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_life 

 If you Can't or Won't answer my question why reply? There's millions of people running XP expecting ~Total System Failure~ ...You ~Fi,n Givlomh Noyvj~ look that up in your ~Funk & Wagnel~.  Where's ~Starker~ and ~Uvah~??.  At least they have ~Soul~ and ~Personality~ while they ~Dismiss Me~. I Know My ~Baby~ is at ~End of Days~  But she working as ~Good as Ever~. Is there ~Anything~  NEW I should look out for?? Is there a web site for ~Insane Retards~ who still use ~XP~?????????

I do not dismiss you.  However, I would not be running XP without MS support because no amount of AV programs is going to preven a serious web attack.  Moreover, it is not recommended to run more than one AV program at a time due to potential conflicts... some of which could cause you to miss the very thing you're trying to prevent.. that being infection.

Unfortunately, there is nothing new to ensure the safety of your machine.  When Microsoft issues safety/security patches to its operating systems, the core of those OSes is altered to address the vulnerability which has been/could be exploited.  Other security programs do not do this at anywhere near the same level, and thus they cannot protect you as efficiently, which is why it is best to move on from XP sooner rather than later.  You may be safe from past threats because those were addressed prior to the cut-off date, but you are certainly not protected from new and more virulent threats that are likely to infect you... not to mention others while your unprotected machine is connected to the internet.

As for Jafo's reply, he is just pointing out that PC parts have finite lives, and that increasing ventilation with 8" x 3" holes is not going to extend the life of your rig.  If anything, the increased dust that can now get in could in fact shorten its life.

Best bet if you want to keep it is to limit your time online due to those very same security threats. While Xp is a durable OS it cannot hold up to the new batch of viruses that are out there without MS support. One other piece of advice...what starkers said about multiple A/V programs is very true. Free or paid for they will conflict with each other eventually and cause more harm than good. Besides there are Win 7 machines out there that are relatively inexpensive. Don't want to bust your bubble guy but the reality is staring you in the face. Up to you to decide what's best.

I answered your question.

Your computer is OLD.  It WILL die soon.

THAT is the 'something going to come along' - AGE.

As mentioned....cutting huge holes in the case will SHORTEN its life as you expose all moving parts [fans] to DUST.

....and tildes are not 'punctuation'.

I am still running XP as a toy only. It is fully updated and I have used the registry hack found at Ghacks to continue to get security updates a while longer. 

http://www.ghacks.net/2014/05/24/get-security-updates-windows-xp-april-2019/ 

I do not use the XP rig for anything like banking, or any other security prone process. The hackers out there aren't targeting a standalone home use PC anyway. Paranoia runs amok sometimes when security and internet is talked about.

I'm not worried that I run an XP rig. But I will be on the side of safety and not use it for anything important.

Mostly just a toy. Because it's there. Posted some screenshots from XP in the desktop threads. MyColors skins still look great on XP!

Thanks ,