YZRacer
Posts:1594
 | | 09/14/2007 10:47 PM |
 Alert | we have an old CPU. bits and pieces from a package deal we got years ago, had to replace the hard drive, put in a cd burner a few years ago.
well, it is awfully slow. needs more memory i think.
is it better to just keep what i have and add memory, or spend a few bucks and buy a new computer?
could what i have be too old for just adding memory?
we don't know much about computers, but i know i can't live without mine!
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If you can't spot the loser, it might be you
Senior Member
Posts: 665
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Fritzydoodle
Posts:973
| | 09/15/2007 6:42 AM |
Alert | YZ - what are you doing that it is slow? Slow opening and operating programs or slow browsing the web? If programs, what OS are you using and what programs are you having problems?
Go to www.crucial.com and run the scan. It will tell you what type of memory you have and if you can upgrade. Depending on the age of your CPU, you may not be able to add RAM. | |
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tjtellez36
Posts:30
| | 09/15/2007 8:18 AM |
Alert | | Some people on here live by building your own computer, but if you dont have the time, knowledge or money I suggest just buy a new one. ALl you really need is a CPU and you can get those cheap. | | | |
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mikethegoalie
Posts:446
| | 09/15/2007 8:40 AM |
Alert | | wow, I just found out that my 512mb is not near close to what my system can handle. 2G here I come!! Thanks for that site Fritzy! | | | |
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tjtellez36
Posts:30
| | 09/15/2007 8:56 AM |
Alert | Very Nice Mike the Goalie. What OS are you running?
BTW I find cheap ram here all the time http://bensbargains.net/ | | | |
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movinonup
Posts:125
| | 09/16/2007 8:52 AM |
Alert | www.tpi-us.com
I use them for all of my computer needs. They've been around a long time and i've used them to build PCs for me and my family. They are great for customer service and follow up. They are probably the least expensive in town too.
Give them a shot. | | | |
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twostep23
Posts:1687
| | 09/16/2007 9:01 AM |
Alert | | That's the same answer that I got!! | |
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Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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JAG
Posts:520
| | 09/16/2007 11:35 AM |
Alert | Depending on your system some older memory is quite expensive. You could easily pay $100-200 on it. Put you can buy a brand new low end PC for $200-300 without a monitor. So its up to you really.
Baiscally in a nutshell if its not doing what you want it to do, and its 3+yrs old. Give it away and buy a new one. | | | |
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YZRacer
Posts:1594
| | 09/16/2007 2:17 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By Fritzydoodle on 09/15/2007 6:42 AM
YZ - what are you doing that it is slow? Slow opening and operating programs or slow browsing the web? If programs, what OS are you using and what programs are you having problems?
Go to www.crucial.com and run the scan. It will tell you what type of memory you have and if you can upgrade. Depending on the age of your CPU, you may not be able to add RAM.</div>
Nearly everything we do is slow. If I wanna listen to my iTunes, be on this site and have a window open for my email, I'm screwed. Usually it will just shut down. We are using XP.
Gonna run the cruical scan thingie now.
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If you can't spot the loser, it might be you
Senior Member
Posts: 665
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Jason
Posts:3378
| | 09/16/2007 7:35 PM |
Alert | | If it is shutting down, then the problem is either power or temperature related. | |
Joined: Jul 2005 | |
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Master Shake
Posts:58
| | 09/17/2007 3:44 PM |
Alert | When you say, "old" exactly how old is it? If the computer is more than 3 years old, then you would probably be better off getting a completely new system. The rest of the system is probably just as old -- but not so upgradeable, as a lot of the technology has changed substantionally over the last few years. There are places that can help you transfer data from your old system (hard drive) to your new system.
However, for computer systems less than 3 years old, the most likely reason why it is slow usually tends to be because of downloaded software (such as spyware/adware/virus/etc.). Make sure you have a good (and up to date) anti-spyware/anti-adware/anti-virus program or consider taking your system in for a check and cleaning. | | | |
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eppyjerk
Posts:20
| | 09/17/2007 5:45 PM |
Alert | The 531s (the second one in the link below) is too cheap to worry about building your own or continuing your Frankenstein monster. It comes with a 17" flat panel to boot. Take off that monitor and you're down $170 to $329. Stay away from that first one in the link, but that second one looks nice.
http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/inspndt_53xs?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~tab=bundlestab
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Ratboy
Posts:0
| | 09/18/2007 7:20 AM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By YZRacer on 09/14/2007 10:47 PM
we have an old CPU. bits and pieces from a package deal we got years ago, had to replace the hard drive, put in a cd burner a few years ago.
well, it is awfully slow. needs more memory i think.
is it better to just keep what i have and add memory, or spend a few bucks and buy a new computer?
could what i have be too old for just adding memory?
we don't know much about computers, but i know i can't live without mine!
</div>
If you guys need some help let me know, I can check it out for ya and maybe show you how to put a system together. But as the above poster states above it maybe cheaper to buy a system. Let me know! | | | |
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YZRacer
Posts:1594
| | 09/18/2007 7:50 AM |
Alert | I would say that the majority of it is over 3 years old, but the motherboard (whatever that is) is about a year old. I did the scan as mentioned above, didn't realize i was only running 256. It said I have another slot, so I'll see if DH can add somemore. I think he is just trying to get me to okay the purchase of a Mac  I just assume fix up what we have. We aren't doing anything fancy. Some word processing, photoshop, iTunes and internet. Thanks everyone for the suggestions! | |
If you can't spot the loser, it might be you
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Posts: 665
Joined: Jun 2006 | |
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Jason
Posts:3378
| | 09/18/2007 11:10 AM |
Alert | 256! 
A motherboard (or mainboard as it is sometimes called) is a large circuit board that everything plugs into and carries all of the data between components in your computer. It is also how your computer connects to keyboards, mice, USB devices, etc. | |
Joined: Jul 2005 | |
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Jason
Posts:3378
| | 09/18/2007 11:14 AM |
Alert | | You could take a can of air and (with the computer unplugged) blow the dust out of the power supply. Then open the side of the computer and blow the dust out of any fans that you see. That may help with the shutting down. | |
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Fritzydoodle
Posts:973
| | 09/18/2007 12:05 PM |
Alert | <div class='NTForums_Quote'>Posted By YZRacer on 09/18/2007 7:50 AM
I would say that the majority of it is over 3 years old, but the motherboard (whatever that is) is about a year old. I did the scan as mentioned above, didn't realize i was only running 256. It said I have another slot, so I'll see if DH can add somemore. I think he is just trying to get me to okay the purchase of a Mac <img src='http://www.85239.com/desktopmodules/ntforums/images/emoticons/smile.gif' height='20' width='20' border='0' title='Smile' align='absmiddle'> I just assume fix up what we have. We aren't doing anything fancy. Some word processing, photoshop, iTunes and internet. Thanks everyone for the suggestions!</div>
YZ - if you do decide to add RAM, make sure you get the same type that the scan said to add. Not all RAM is the same.
Jason - make note she said in a prior post - it keeps shutting down and she has multiple programs running. She may be blowing its little mind with software, both obvious and background, sucking the RAM until there is a nothing left and it gives up and shuts down the software. I've got one computer with 2GB of RAM that if I'm not careful to close background programs when editing video will occasionally dump because of overload. No surfing while it's rendering! | |
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Jason
Posts:3378
| | 09/18/2007 12:08 PM |
Alert | Fritzy - I could have misunderstood, but I thought she meant it was turning off when she said "shutting down". Lack of RAM doesn't cause that.
Even still the worst that should happen would be a program crashing. Windows would usually just swap data in and out of memory causing the computer to run really, really slowly. But lack of RAM should not cause a shut down. | |
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Fritzydoodle
Posts:973
| | 09/18/2007 12:25 PM |
Alert | I took it to read the software was shutting down.
YZ - which is it? Is the software or the computer shutting off? | |
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kab28az@yahoo.com
Posts:0
| | 09/18/2007 2:19 PM |
Alert | Before just going out and buying additional RAM....may I suggest that you use static protection and open the machine...pull out a stick, place it in an anti static holder, and take it to the store with you.
Note how many slots you have----if you have two sticks of memory ---you have two banks available to upgrade. I would upgrade in pairs keeping the same manufacturer.
The reason I recommend bringing the stick to the store with you....is so you can show the tech and get some help----- if you are not computer inclined.
Notice the notches, for example, on the stick. It's critical that you buy memory that's going to work and fit in your computer.
My stupid two cents.
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