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Topic: Memory card / upgrade |
Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 11 Oct 2008 4:51 am |
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How hard is it to add memory? How expensive?
The 'old' Compaq has the same 128 Meg RAM as when we bought it. I've got it running as fast as ever now, but can't get some upgrades from Yahoo because they'd like me to have 512.
We don't mind being in the bicycle lane of the information hiway, but I sure would like to load a few things... like PCcillin.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 11 Oct 2008 7:41 am
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Charlie;
It is not hard to add RAM. Your computer will have slots to accept RAM modules. These slots will have a little blank key that is more to one side than the other. A RAM module can only be inserted in one direction and getting it right is extremely important. Most RAM is clamped in by little levers on the ends of the frame that they slide into. These clamp downs keep the RAM properly seated all the way down and ensure that they can't lift out by accident, or from heat.
RAM is available in many types and configurations and various motherboards are designed to only allow so much RAM, or such and such a type. I advise you to read my page All About RAM and use the links to the Crucial Technology Memory Tool. Run this tool, or follow the flyout choices until you get the readout of available RAM for you particular computer make and model. You can also download/install a control that automatically scans your hardware and tells you what type of RAM is supported, and how much more can be added. There will be links to click on to purchase the size you want to purchase. If you are going to do a major upgrade I recommend totally replacing your existing RAM with new modules. If you go with two, buy two of the same product code.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 11 Oct 2008 10:39 am
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| Wiz Feinberg wrote: |
| Most RAM is clamped in by little levers on the ends of the frame that they slide into.... Run this tool.... |
That doesn't sound as tricky as pianos or pedal steels.
I'll run the tool and learn what I need.
I appreciate it a lot.
This is a heck of a forum
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 5:35 am
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Never mind. I didn't realize I had gone on too long.
I'd prefer to figure it out on my own and learn something in the process.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons
Last edited by Charlie McDonald on 16 Oct 2008 3:36 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 3:35 pm
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I tell you, Pat, if that's your solution, I'll just delete the whole previous question.
It's really dull around here when you ask a question and somebody says 'just get a new guitar.' I'm interested in learning something while I'm on this planet.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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John Cipriano
From:
San Francisco
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Posted 16 Oct 2008 10:58 pm
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I wouldn't say Pat was out of line, as it's been a while since computers came standard with 128MB of RAM. Obviously if your computer is good enough for you, then there's no rush to find a replacement, but keep in mind that hard drives have moving parts and they do fail. So have backups of what's important to you. I have a couple of machines at work with 128 and they work fine for what we use them for.
Like Wiz said, RAM upgrades are simple. The hardest part is figuring out what type and speed your motherboard takes, then you just pop it in. There are various places you can go to find this out, like the link on Wiz's site to the Crucial (a memory manufacturer) page. If you have a name brand computer you can check the manufacturer's page, etc.
Also you should try and track down the maximum amount that your motherboard will handle. Not in terms of slots but in terms of MB. The reason for this is that you can avoid buying more than your computer will recognize. That said, I'd be surprised if 512 MB was over that limit.
RAM upgrades are by far the best bang-for-the-buck computer addition, it's easy, relatively cheap, and the results are definitely noticeable. In your case there should be a lot less paging. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 2:33 am
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How much RAM you "need" depends on the operating system (and what the PC's maximum RAM is). If you have Windows ME then 128MB is more than adequate. If you have Windows XP, 128MB, although what Microsoft says is minimum needed for XP is way less than "real world" minimum which is 256MB and even that isn't really enough and 512MB is a better "minimum".
You can add memory and it will help some, but just remember that whatever you add or upgrade to the PC you are still have the same processor and bus speed, etc, it won't make it run like a new one.
I agree that when someone asks a question the responses should stick to the question and it ticks me off when I see that. But with a PC (that's over 3 years old) you have to weigh what the costs are of what you want to do compared to a new PC. e.g. if you spend $100 on memory and then decide to upgrade the Video card for another $75 and then decide it needs a new Sound Card, another $75, for the $250 you will have some new components but it will still be the "old" PC and still work (run) as slow as it originally did. For another $150 you can have a new PC, with current technology electronics and operating system. |
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Wiz Feinberg
From:
Mid-Michigan, USA
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 6:50 am
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| John Cipriano wrote: |
RAM upgrades are by far the best bang-for-the-buck computer addition, it's easy, relatively cheap, and the results are definitely noticeable. In your case there should be a lot less paging. |
Well said John! When a PC has too little RAM for the open tasks it must use a portion of the main hard drive as a temporary swap space. This causes a lot of extra work for that hard drive and the data flow is much slower that would be the case if all that data was stored and swapped in RAM modules.
A PC with 128 Mb of RAM will usually buckle under the load imposed by today's applications and operating systems, altho it might run ok on some Linux distributions.
_________________
"Wiz" Feinberg, Moderator SGF Computers Forum
Security Consultant
Twitter: @Wizcrafts
Main web pages: Wiztunes Steel Guitar website | Wiz's Security Blog | My Webmaster Services | Wiz's Security Blog |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 8:04 am
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| Jack Stoner wrote: |
| How much RAM you "need" depends on the operating system (and what the PC's maximum RAM is).... whatever you add or upgrade to the PC you are still have the same processor and bus speed.... |
A good consideration, Jack.
The Compaq in question has a 933 MHz Pentium III and the HD was replaced by an 80 gig drive, at which time Windows Broken (ME) was replaced with XP.
I used Wiz's Crucial calculator and it'll take the 512, it's maximum.
The main consideration, as I've said, is to get enough capacity to run Yahoo's Computer Associates anti-virus, in addition to more headroom. Their provided utilities and any updated browser are out of the question with less than 512 meg.
So yes, John, paging would be the problem. Thanks for the link. I'm learned a lot by following links on this computers part of the forum.
| Quote: |
| I agree that when someone asks a question the responses should stick to the question and it ticks me off when I see that. |
I appreciate that, Jack, but you're an intelligent guy, along with the many here who, in addition to doing what they do, are in this to be better people, 'sensitive to the needs of others' to quote old Lao Tzu. Nothing wrong with old; I'm 60; and if a computer of 7 years is old, there might be something wrong with the industry or with the society that supports it.
[Now, at this point, what I have to say may be 'old' to some, so it's a great spot for some guys to quit reading. Apparently my wordiness is part of the problem; a better person would be, for one who can pare his words a little.
Fact is, I think I'll just skip it for now, and perhaps reply to other issues shortly.
And it ain't for the purpose of being wordy, I'm not going to be cruising this section of the forum much longer, because when I get Connie the Compaq running well and protecting itself without me watching it, I'm getting me a used Mac laptop and escaping the tyranny of Windows and its triple redundancy, which is what causes my damn computer to run like....]
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 10:34 am
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Hey Charlie...i didn't mean to get out of line here i was just trying to save you time and money, i build and repair computers on a regular basis as a hobby for nearly 8 years and i just thought i'd give some advice, Windows XP recommend 512 MB min for working properly , your system has to be atleast 6 to 8 years old and there's been alot of change since then, i know it's a pain that technology change so fast these days that one can't keep up, but if you want to add ram to your system i can help you if you want, first i have to know the make of your motherboard and the series #...from there i can tell you how much ram and what kind it can take. 
if you have any questions...i'll be glad to help.
Pat.
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 2:28 pm
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You may want to reconsider the CA Antivirus. It's a system resource hog. I had the free CA Antivirus security suite that was provided by Roadrunner (cable). My PC was s l o w. I dumped it and installed the Microsoft One Care security suite - my PC sped up, programs that I had problems with no longer had problems, etc.
I have recommended the One Care to several clients and the ones that are using it are happy with it. (it has a free 90 day full feature trial version).
I consider the CA security suite in the same category as Norton and McAfee security suites, which have "bloatware" and are system resource hogs. |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 2:37 pm
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| John Cipriano wrote: |
| In your case there should be a lot less paging. |
Yes, that's what it's working hard at, after reading the Wikipedia link.
Wikipedia alone is worth the cost of internet. Firewire? Wikipedia.
I used it to learn about what kind of used car I wanted, and ended up with a gem. You've got to kiss a lot of toads and see a few salvage titles.
It's similar to a steel guitar. I got a Classic MSA for the maple, and its provenance, so the issue of cabinet drop interests me. I've read a lot of guys that had their questions answered 'Buy a new guitar.'
If I were rich, I might be into throwing money at something to see what happens; as it is, I prefer learning how to make compensators (and above all remembering that cabinet drop isn't a big deal at the 8th fret).
So I always wonder why these guys even get interested in a post on cabinet drop if that's their solution; flex is obviously not an issue with them.
Oh, I agree with John that you're not out of line, but I'm going to step over the line here for a moment and say that I've learned that yes, there are no stupid questions, but I can't say the same thing about the answers one gets. Why address what the poster is not interested in?
| Pat Comeau wrote: |
| Get a new computer if you can cause most applications software and hardware these days recommend 1 gig of ram min.... |
I don't know what that means, and I'm not interested in 1 gig of Ram.
I think I know what I need to know now.
Thank you, all.
_________________
Those that say don't know; those that know don't say.--Buddy Emmons |
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Pat Comeau
From:
New Brunswick, Canada
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Posted 17 Oct 2008 4:06 pm
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you ask the question....and i replyed ( Get a new computer " IF YOU CAN "), so if you cannot buy a new computer than upgrading your ram will speed it up a bit but not much cause as i said new software programes and hardware needs more ram and processor speed to work correctly because everything related to software and hardware is more demanding these days then it was 6 or 8 years ago.
So again my intentions were to help you sorry if you miss understood my reply, maybe i should've phrase it differently.
and i don't think it was a stupid answer like you said.
1 gig of ram = 2 X 512MB
_________________
Comeau SD10 4x5, Comeau S10 3x5, Peavey Session 500,Fender Telecaster,Fender Stratocaster, Fender Precision,1978 Ovation Viper electric. Alvarez 4 strings Violin electric.
Click the links to listen to my Comeau's Pedal Steel Guitars.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIYiaomZx3Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2GhZTN_yXI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvDTw2zNriI |
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