A few questions about adding memory.

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shareyourknowledge

I would like to add more memory as my computer is sluggish.I tried
doing a disc fragentation, but after 8 hours, it was only 30% done., so
i thought i would buy memory since it isn't too expensive. Do i have to
buy the same brand of memory already installed, or would another brand
be compatible with the existing one? I don't know how much memory to
buy. I went to "my computer" and it said i have an AMD Athlon processor
899MHZ 512MB of RAM. I read that after install more memory, i have to
refer to my owners manual for specs. I don't have an owners manual. Can
i still install the memory without the manual? Thanks for your help.
 
512 is pretty good.

I think that you have a different problem.

899 mhz is not that bad either, but it is on the low end of speed.

I suggest that you temporarily disable all your startups in the msconfig.
then before you reboot, ensure that your vitual memory / pagefile is not set
to "no pagefile". I would manually set it to a min of 2 and a max of 750.
Then run cleanmgr from the run command. Afterwards reboot and run your
defrag....
 
I would like to add more memory as my computer is sluggish.I tried
doing a disc fragentation, but after 8 hours, it was only 30% done.,
so i thought i would buy memory since it isn't too expensive. Do i
have to buy the same brand of memory already installed, or would
another brand be compatible with the existing one? I don't know how
much memory to buy. I went to "my computer" and it said i have an AMD
Athlon processor 899MHZ 512MB of RAM. I read that after install more
memory, i have to refer to my owners manual for specs. I don't have
an owners manual. Can i still install the memory without the manual?
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...


If your computer is sluggish, more memory *may* make it faster, but do not
automatically assume that it will. Despite what many people tell you, more
memory isn't always better. In fact, for most people with 512MB, more memory
will do nothing for them. Here's my standard blurb on adding memory:

This is *not* a one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the
amount of RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and that depends
on what apps you run. Most people running a typical range of business
applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works well, others need
512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less than 256MB. Some
people, particularly those doing things like editing large photographic
images, can see a performance boost by adding even more than
512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory will
decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance. If you are
not using the page file significantly, more memory will do nothing for you.
Go to http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should give you
a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how much more.

If you do add more memory, it's very important that it match the existing
memory as closely as possible--even with regard to brand. You shouldn't need
a amnual to install RAM, but I don't know what your level of skill is, and
it might be best to have a more knowledgeable friend help you with it.

Finally, if your computer is sluggish, the most likely problem these days is
malware infestation. What anti-virus and anti-spyware apps do you run, and
are they up-to date? Also read here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
 
We have two hard drives installed. One is FAT 32, the other is NTFS.
Could having two hard drives slow down the computer? My kids wanted
more gigs. I think upgrading to just one larger hard drive is probably
better, correct?
 
It does not sound like you have the technical knowledge required to change out to one new hard
drive. Would you be going to a Tech Shop for this work? Be sure you go to one that:
1. Knows what they are doing (not BestBuy or CompuServe, etc.) and
2. Will not rip you off.
No having two drives should not slow you machine down, as such. If the C drive is too small, that
could slow your drive down.
As far as knowing what type and how much memory your computer will take, download and install Belarc
Adviser (www.belarc.com). This program will give you the make and model number of your motherboard.
Then you can go to either www.crucial.com or www.4allmemory.com and find out exactly how much memory
and what time memory you should be buying. Of course both sites will offer to sell you that memory.
 
We have two hard drives installed. One is FAT 32, the other is NTFS.
Could having two hard drives slow down the computer?

No.


My kids wanted
more gigs. I think upgrading to just one larger hard drive is probably
better, correct?
Click to expand...


No.
 
well, it depends if you don't have any drive space left anymore......

NTFS is better than a Fat. And a fat can easily be converted by windows via
the dos command Convert.

How big are the drives and how much space do you have left....?

How large is your page file? You can see this via system tools, advance
adance virtual memory (pagefile)
 
databaseben wrote:

And a fat can easily be converted by
windows via the dos command Convert.
Click to expand...


It's not quite that easy. First read http://www.aumha.org/a/ntfscvt.htm
because there's an issue regarding cluster size (which has performace
implications) that isn't obvious.

Also note that conversion is a big step, affecting everything on your drive.
When you take such a big step, no matter how unlikely, it is always possible
that something could go wrong. For that reason, it's prudent to make sure
you have a backup of anything you can't afford to lose before beginning.
 
Richard said:
Hello Ken
It appears that the page below does not exist anymore. This utility
would seem to be useful. Any ideas on obtaining this otherwise?
Click to expand...


I just tried here, and I got to it without a problem. Try it again.
 

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