slow computer

[Guest]

i have a pent III with 384 ram and a 10 year old 4g hard drive. To increase
speed..do I get more Ram? 512(with 3 memory slots on mother board)or get a
new larger hard drive

 

[Jared Foster]

I would go with new hard drive...i'm guessing that being 10 years old, it's
5400RPM tops, probably slower...

 

[Guest]

Thanks Jared. What size hard drive, and if I were to increase ram.How wth
the 3 slots ?

 

[Ted Zieglar]

Get a new computer.

 

[Jared Foster]

As far as hard drive size, that depends on what you plan on doing. The more
programs and files that you use, the bigger the drive you will want. I
would say 80GB should be the minimum you get. Also, check features such as
the cache size and average seek time...these will have a big impact in the
speed of your new drive. Also, make sure that the drive you buy will work
with your current system. Older systems can't recognize drives as large as
the current crop without overlay software (which Western Digital
includes...I'm sure others do to...just haven't used them).

Now, with the RAM, you say you currently have 384MB. Depending on the
motherboard, you may or may not be able to upgrade it any further. Also
note that for every 128MB you want to upgrade, you have to buy a 256MB chip
(assuming that the three slots are each occupied by a 128MB stick...if not,
you're in luck!).

Hopefully this helps.

 

[Guest]

thanks again jared. Please understand this is the first computerI have ever
owned and it was given to me with 256 ram. Another friend gave me three
memory cards 128 each... I installed. I didnt see much change if any. and I
didnt buy any "chips". I dont know the speed of the 4g maxtor hard drive,but
I have about 900mb left. A diagnostics report I ran stated memory capacity
was 384...is that correct? I have an Intel pen III 596 mhz version x86
family 6 model 8 stepping 1, what ever the hell that means. I have found a
Maxtor 100 gb hard drive at a good price. Its ATA/IDE etc as is the one I am
currently using......All I use the computer for is downloading music and
movies..etc and email...but I'm sure as my knowledge increase so will the
need for more hard drive space...maybe a new computer...who knows..Ive
upgraded from win 98 to xp home edit...somebody told me you should have 512
for xp?....your thoughts?

 

[Jared Foster]

I'm running XP on 256MB right now with no problems, and have ran it on 128MB
before that, so you don't need 512MB. If you are using the computer for
e-mail and downloading movies and music, you have enough memory and would be
better served with a bigger hard drive. 100GB would be a good size...just
make sure it has some sort of overlay software included; otherwise, your
motherboard probably won't recognize it.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for taken the time Jared, much appreciated. Wish me luck as I endeavor
to iinstall this new hard drive and reinstall windows ex home ed. Hope you
don't mind ifI pick your brain from time to time... It's refreshing to chat
with somebody that obviously knows their way around a pc..yet not
condescending in the least...peace jared. > thanks again jared. Please
understand this is the first computerI have ever