Adding RAM
Had a look at mt in-laws computer over weekend. It's really slow. I've un-installed a load of stuff and tidied it up but I think the main problem is thwy've only got 248MB of RAM. It's a 3 - 4 year old Dell Dimension DV051 with a 2.66GHz Intel Celeron. Would I be right in thinking if I added in some more RAM they'd get the computer moving a bit faster? What should I be looking for?
For example, would this do?
I think there are different speeds of RAM and it all needs to be compatible so I just want to make sure before I tell them what to buy.
Cheers for that.
I take it that there's no point going for any more than 2GB? That should make a huge difference anyway.
Depends what they use it for. 2 GB will be enough for average use though i.e. web, email, word processing, accounts etc.
2GB is more than enough, even if using Vista, although I'm guessing that you are running XP if you only have 250MB at present.
Anything newer than Windows 2000 runs like a dog with less than 384MB, with that figure rising to 768MB for Vista. They will notice a huge difference!
Oooh, just noticed you have a Dell. If you can, save all their personal stuff to CD/DVD etc, and use the "restore disk" that would have been provided to re-install Windows.
XP needs re-installing approx every 12 months or so to keep it running quickly - reinstalling will make an even bigger difference than the memory.
Just make sure you still have the install disks for all the programs they use (office etc) as these will also be wiped.
fatboyslimfast:reinstalling will make an even bigger difference than the memory.
Hmmm, I know where you're coming from, but when going from 256 MB to 2 GB, I really doubt that - that machine is being hampered by a lack of RAM and the only way to fix that bottleneck is to put more in.
And there's no need to reinstall every 12 months - my work PC has been going about 3 years without a reinstall and just running a few maintenance tasks every now and then keeps it performing fine.
Harvey ~ its possible that your machines limited to a max amount of RAM size (eg 1 gig for example)
Goto CRUCIAL and do a scan to make sure you know what the limits are
1 gig will be a HUGH improvement on what you have now. 2 gig will be hardly any different to 1 gig unless your going to start running memory intensive programs
aliEnRIK:1 gig will be a HUGH improvement
or
yeah right. my laptop has 4gb and still runs like a lame dog.fatboyslimfast:2GB is more than enough, even if using Vista
fast eddie:yeah right. my laptop has 4gb and still runs like a lame dog.
fatboyslimfast:2GB is more than enough, even if using Vista
Well thats nothing to do with ram size. Thats a bottleneck of cpu and/or harddrive
If it's XP there's no point in adding more than 2GB as 32 bit XP can only 'see' a maximum of 2GB of RAM.
You should regularily defrag the hard drive aswell. The built in Windows defrag tool is ok but try this free download:
http://tinyurl.com/5spscm
Its called the Ultimate Defrag Freeware Edition
Not quite, XP can see a total of 4 GB memory (including that used by the video card) in its 32bit incarnation. However, I agree, 2 GB is fine for now.
aliEnRIK:fast eddie:yeah right. my laptop has 4gb and still runs like a lame dog.
fatboyslimfast:2GB is more than enough, even if using Vista
Well thats nothing to do with ram size. Thats a bottleneck of cpu and/or harddrive
Is there anyway round it other than replacing one or the other?
Carl_R:If it's XP there's no point in adding more than 2GB as 32 bit XP can only 'see' a maximum of 2GB of RAM.
You should regularily defrag the hard drive aswell. The built in Windows defrag tool is ok but try this free download:
http://tinyurl.com/5spscm
Its called the Ultimate Defrag Freeware Edition
Actually ~ it can see a max of 3.25 gig. Motherboards have their own maximimums (Some wont even allow 1 gig). But assuming the motherboard has no bottleneck then 3.25 is the max
(The max seems a mute point as its partially used by the graphics card as well as another process but 3.25 is the only FREE usable ram)
fast eddie:
aliEnRIK:fast eddie:yeah right. my laptop has 4gb and still runs like a lame dog.
fatboyslimfast:2GB is more than enough, even if using Vista
Well thats nothing to do with ram size. Thats a bottleneck of cpu and/or harddrive
Is there anyway round it other than replacing one or the other?
When I said 'bottlneck' I was more talking about whats running is pushing one and/or the other to their limits
Vista also uses the absolutely horrible UAC which can completely stop the computer alltogether whilst it 'thinks' about what its going to do next (Thats what killed Vista for me so I switched the thing off, which I DONT advise as its a security feature)
Back to the first though
Basics ~
What size hardrive do you have and how full is it?
When you open 'task manger' are there any processes that are really using up cpu power when using the computer normally?
Easiest thing for me is if you do as follows ~
Download HIJACK THIS (Make sure you click 'DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION')
http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/
reboot
Click DO A SCAN AND SAVE A LOGFILE (Takes seconds) then upload the log to RAPIDSHARE and post the link here
(do NOT do anything else with Hijack but scan and post the FULL log)
Hijack simply shows a log of whats running on your computer at that time
Your Dimension DV051 is actually an E310.
This is the correct 2GB RAM kit....
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=4EADC245A5CA7304
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