| Author |
Message |
    
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 3185
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 10:15 am: |     |
I have become convinced that it is time to do something about my old, sluggish computer. Someone suggested that I try to upgrade the memory. The computer presently has two 64k DIMMs with a slot for a third stick. I have also been told that I should be able to replace each of the two 64k sticks with a 128k and that the worst that can happen is that the memory board will max out at a lower memory level if that is all it can handle.
While this sounds like a plan, I have also been advised that DIMM sticks are obsolete and not likely to be readily available at local computer stores.
Two questions:
1. Is it worth trying to expand the computer's RAM (currently 128K) given that everything else will be as old as ever?
2. Are DIMM sticks still available and if so where can I get them? |
Earlster
Citizen
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 305
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 1:01 pm: | |
RAM can make a huge difference, but it's not the only culprit.
I hope your computer has 128MB, not K. If you are running Win98, then that's probably fine.
You can still get DIMM's. CompUSA has them on sale once in a while. There are also many places on the internet that sell them. My favorite: http://www.newegg.com
Tell me more about your PC (OS, CPU speed, HD size) and I can tell you if it makes sense to upgrade the ram, or to buy a new machine. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 3211
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 5:00 pm: | |
Earlster:
Thank you so much. The computer is a Compaq Presario 5190. It is between 6 and 7 years old and has never given me any real problems. It has just become outmoded given the increasing system resource demands of upgraded applications and some websites (It refuses to recognize highly secure websites like my employer's webmail, for instance)
The memory is 128 OMB RAM. The OS is Windows 98 (original edition). The hard drive is 11 gigabites. The processor is an AMD K6 3D processor. I don't know the speed.
I have already broken down and ordered a new PC (Dell Dimension 8400) but if the Presario is worth upgrading, I would still invest in the additional memory and pass it on to a friend who is just learning to use the computer.
Thanks again for the consult. |
albert
Citizen
Username: Albert
Post Number: 3
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 6:13 pm: | |
I have a 128MB memory module I do not need - I THINK that it is compatible with your Compaq (it is PC100 DRAM). It is yours for free if you want to give it a try.
PL if you are interested. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 3216
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 1, 2004 - 8:20 pm: | |
Albert:
PL sent. Thanks. Joan. |
Earlster
Citizen
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 307
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 9:32 am: | |
Joan,
congrats on getting a new Dell. The Compaq sounds like it has been a good machine at the time, but it's time to move on.
If you want to pass it on to a friend, reinstall the OS and all the latest updates to it. If you can, get Windows 2000. With Win 98 there is no point upgrading the memory, with Win2k you would want to add it.
I still have a machine like yours sitting around at home and are planning on re-building it for my daughter to play on the Sesame Street web site without messing up the family computer. It's definetly fine for some easy use like that. |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 3242
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 6, 2004 - 6:19 pm: | |
Earlster:
Thanks so muchfor the consult. Albert was nice enough to give me a 128 OMB DIMM he was no longer using. I installed it over the wekend. The result was a more zippy start time and smoother operation for some of my programs but it did little to enhance the availability of systems resources.
The person I am thinking of giving the Compaq to is trying to learn Office XP and has no machine to practice on. With the enhanced memory, the computer should be fine for her needs even with the present OS. |
Earlster
Citizen
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 308
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - 9:19 am: | |
Joan,
the hardware should be fine to learn Office Xp. However Office XP requires Win2000 SP 3, or Windows XP as the operating system.
http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/sysreq.mspx |
Joan
Citizen
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 3245
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 7, 2004 - 6:46 pm: | |
Earlster:
I am presently running Office XP Professional on my Compac computer with no problems. The manual which came with Office XP Professional said that Office XP Professional requires Windows 98 or higher. |
Earlster
Citizen
Username: Earlster
Post Number: 310
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 8, 2004 - 8:59 am: | |
That's great. I never tried it, just remembered that I heard about it, and then checked the MS website which said the same.
Guess MS is just trying to push people to upgrade. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page