mballai
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posted on July 20, 2001 09:44:12 PM
Computer problems seem to afflict nearly everyone who posts here. While it may be a sweeping generalization, one of the worst is deliberately designed into your computer when you buy it.
I have been fighting my computer for the last couple of years. It's really not that bad--an IBM Aptiva with 300 K6-2 and 64mb RAM, roughly 6GB hard drive and Win 98. At the time of purchase, it seemed pretty good and adequately equipped.
Well, it is. NOT!!!!
The machine is fine, the drive more than big 'nuff, and Win 98 isn't so bad with regular reboots.
As it turns out, it's the memory. 64mb of RAM is just not enough for anything other than running the operating system. Sure, I know it works, but it really doesn't perform. Why MS and the computer companies tell you that you can surf and do all sorts of neat stuff on 32-64mb of RAM is beyond me.
I put a 128mm RAM board in tonight and the difference is like night and day. Most of the lethargic interactions and nonfunctioning I've put up have disappeared.
IE flies, my DDE run WORD/ACCESS files snap together, Yahoo Companion actually works, and everything opens and closes without all the churning. Even Half.com seems to work 
I knew this would work better, everyone tells you so, but how much better is beyond anything you would ever imagine. It's the way your computer is supposed to work.
If you are still trying to work with your machine and the factory alloted 32-64mb, do yourself a giant favor and buy some more RAM.
It will be worth it.
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thekismeme
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posted on July 20, 2001 09:49:05 PM
Thanks ~ I have been thinking this was my main problem ~ I am going to call Gateway tomorrow!
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tomwiii
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posted on July 20, 2001 10:04:15 PM
call Crucial and save a bundle!
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adone36
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posted on July 20, 2001 10:34:22 PM
For a new revelation, why not get a real OS like W2K pro
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siddielou
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posted on July 21, 2001 06:54:47 AM
adone Sadly, Win2K is incompatiable with many treasured children's games, home software, and legacy software. Many folks would need to go out and buy new software or spend tons of money on upgrades. This is the same problem that plagued Windows ME and will most likely plague Windows XP users this fall.
And don't (please please don't) upgrade with the first release. Alway wait 3-6 months while other users get their hard drives fried and their data chucked by these new "improvements." By the time you buy these will be known issues and either the CD itself will have the updates integrated or on it or they will be easily downloaded from the MS site. I know it's hard - I'm a great big girl geek and love to play with betas and all but do so on a 'puter just for that purpose. Once you've had your data fried once by an "upgrade" you just don't want to take any chances.
If you want a real revelation move to Linux. I run RedHat 7 and haven't had a crash yet.... Or the MacOS. I know many talk down Macs but I think they are fab and wonderfully stable (amazingly once you install MS Office on them they seem to go down south but that's just my observation).
As for memory and computer upgrades it is currently a buyers market. There is currently a glut of parts, processors, and computers out there. Check pcworld.com or cnet.com or computershopper.com to read reviews, check prices, learn about bugs, etc....
Have a good day,
Sid.
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Libra63
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:01:36 AM
Can you install the memory yourself? Is the price high? I have been thinking about that also. I have a compaq but I have no idea what is inside. I know I need more memory, but to go about it I have no idea.
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Triggerfish
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:08:19 AM
I just took mine to BestBuy last yr & they installed more mem for me at a total cost of less than $100 and that way my warranty stayed intact. From what I hear, though, it is very easy to do yourself.
As for win2kpro, I got a copy of it recently and have been afraid to put it in. It seems that both of my printers don't have drivers for that. Does that mean I would have to replace them and anything else that doesn't have a driver? (As you can see, I don't know much about stupid computer crap!) Or, would I be able to anticipate that these 'driver' things will come available to convert my items. Or, and probably MOST likely, am I just clueless and have no business trying to install this new op system?
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mballai
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posted on July 21, 2001 12:35:22 PM
Memory prices have dropped like a stone. I believe the same 128 board was more than double the current price when I bought the computer. It was just $54.13 shipped overnight from Microwarehouse.
I installed it myself in about a half hour with just a screwdriver and some patience. I do recommed some canned air though. There was a big layer of dust on the inside of the computer.
If you aren't sure what you are doing, you can probably bribe that computer whiz teen next door to do it for some pizza and pop.
The only thing I did wrong was put it off for so long.
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magazine_guy
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posted on July 21, 2001 12:57:29 PM
Crucial has 128MB memory for many computers for about $26. They also offer free shipping from time to time. Good search tool that allows you to enter your computer's info, and it tells you what type of memory is compatible. Thumbs up. Easy to find on the web.
Do yourself a favor, and upgrade. It's a 10 minute job.
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iowaantiques
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posted on July 21, 2001 01:06:30 PM
I would contact your PC maker's tech support and ask what aftermarket memory brand they recommend. I have a Toshiba and Kensington was the recommedation. As cheap as memory has become I think it is pound foolish to buy no-name memory and risk potential problems. I believe that Crucial and Kensington are considered the best of the aftermarket.
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mballai
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posted on July 21, 2001 03:33:45 PM
I think you mean Kingston. I would avoid buying no-name RAM or purchasing from anyone who won't back up your purchase.
Viking Components has instructions for adding RAM to your computer on their web site if you can't find it with your computer's instructions. Most computers are easy to do.
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iowaantiques
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posted on July 21, 2001 04:23:22 PM
D'oh!
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dman3
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posted on July 21, 2001 04:36:23 PM
WOW I guess memory Prices have dropped I just check Crucial for memory for this computer 3 years ago I was paying $65 for 8 megs
Just found 32 meg sdram for $44
Thats actually less then I just paid for my last cd drive.
http://www.Dman-N-Company.com
Email [email protected]
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on July 21, 2001 04:45:14 PM
Pricewatch shows that you can get a 64MB PC133 SDRAM Micron module for $9.
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Libra63
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:08:13 PM
Now how do I find out what memory I need. I have a compaq presario MV400. If I go to their web site will it tell me, or will I have to pay a compaq technician $39.00 to find out?
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Microbes
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:16:43 PM
For 3 nickles I'd go back to DOS 6.2, and Win 3.11. I have one machine with 32 megs of memory with Dos/win3.11 and it flys, but to many of my toys (cable modem and scanner) won't work with that old operating system.
Win 98 is a memory hog.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:25:40 PM
I have a compaq presario MV400
This is as close as I could get- MV400 appears to be a monitor designation.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listmodel.asp?Mfr=Compaq&ProductLine=Presario&x=13&y=17
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mballai
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:37:32 PM
Actually it's not Win 98 that is a memory hog; NT4, Win 2000 and MAC OS X are the real hogs. I don't know how XP will stack up, but you can forget about it with less than 128mb which means it will need 256mb.
A lot of the problem is not just the OS, but the fact that we have all sorts of memory gobblers like anti-virus software, and other small programs open a lot. And most larger programs gobble up RAM.
If you leave your Windows computer up for days on end with various programs opening and closing, your computer will leak memory. Restart your computer once in a while to regain it.
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Microbes
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posted on July 21, 2001 07:56:28 PM
If you leave your Windows computer up for days on end with various programs opening and closing, your computer will leak memory. Restart your computer once in a while to regain it.
I reboot about every 2 hours. It does wonders for speeding up the 'puter.
Who Need's a stink'n Sig. File?
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capotasto
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posted on July 21, 2001 08:04:45 PM
Well this is nice, I have an IBM aptiva with win 95, it has two memory sockets which hold a maximum of 64 MB !!
Guess I'm out of luck....
Oh wait, it came with 32 MB, so if I upgrade to 64 it should be better....
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mballai
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posted on July 22, 2001 01:02:09 AM
Win 95 should actually be ok with 64mb. Not real great but passable. 98 uses more and most any software in the last couple of years seems to eat more RAM.
I still can't get over the difference the RAM makes--like having a new machine for a fraction of the price.
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eventer
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posted on July 22, 2001 07:36:15 AM
TechTV had a blurb last night about the latest & greatest in the giant gigachip wars. Interestingly, the reviewer said the most important thing is plenty of RAM.
While companies send out their basic machines w/64K, he said he wouldn't start w/less than 128K.
With RAM prices at virtually nothing these days (compared to the days when we paid a year's salary for even 1 meg..I'm dating myself here), upgrading is cheap & you'll be pleased at the result.
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siddielou
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posted on July 22, 2001 09:01:58 AM
tiggerfish
As for your drivers - check with Microsoft's Win2K site to see if they are "offically" listed. If not check with your manufacturer (go to their website and search for drivers) and see if they have drivers you can download. Sadly without the right driver you can't run your printer at 100% (I've seen some cases where there wasn't a "correct" driver but the printer, scanner, etc worked but would often hang, freeze, crash, or just do other "odd" things.)
Technology - it's made everything so much easier 
***edited to add - big difference between was and wasN'T
[ edited by siddielou on Jul 22, 2001 09:03 AM ]
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Capriole
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posted on July 22, 2001 09:32:21 AM
(Whispering)
Go buy an iMac, relax and enjoy yourself!
I just bought 256 mb of ram for 60 bux and it's a dream - a smokin' fast dream.
sweeeeet!
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Triggerfish
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posted on July 22, 2001 09:38:57 AM
Thanks for the info, Sid! I (finally) a week or two ago found the place on the HP site where available drivers are mentioned. Weird thing is, neither of my printers have a 2000 driver listed but my old scanner does! Oh well...
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adone36
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posted on July 22, 2001 09:53:59 AM
Triggerfish
W2k comes with a billion drivers and if your HPs have built in support HP will not write special drivers. Most HP drivers are built in and because the rest of the world supports HP PCL for lasers, many other lasers do not require unique drivers.
AS to memory. Most of the advertised 128meg for $20 is untested crap. Your PC might be set up to use CAS2 memory and the junk is always CAS3. If you need memory for a brand name computer I would go to Crucial and check out the mem specs recommended for your machine from the table they give you. Their prices are excellent, but more important so is the product. Most overclockers use Crucial or Mushkin memory.
If you have an older IBM or Compaq, etc., the memory amount limitation may be due to the shipping bios. See if there is a bios upgrade for your machine. The original manual may say 32meg but you might wind up putting much more than that in it.
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mballai
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posted on July 22, 2001 10:02:10 AM
If I were buying a new machine, I would start with 512mb. Win XP is supposed to run on 128mb which means it needs 256mb and Mac OS X needs 256mb which means you need 512mb. Just double what they say.
There's a limit as to what an OS can use, but if you have several apps open at once, you might not see that limit.
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capotasto
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posted on July 22, 2001 01:40:51 PM
Okay I just came back from Crucial where I ordered a 32 Mb Sdram DIMM.
That'll bring me up to a whole 64 Mb with win 95.
I'll try to let you know how it performs after the install which I will do my self (the manual makes it look easy, just have to open it up and move the power supply out of the way).
Oh yeah, I was also one of the last in my town to go from rotary to touch tone.
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dacreson
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posted on July 23, 2001 04:24:34 PM
ALSO!
Your thread confirmed my ideas so I also ordered 128 mb ram to go with my present 64.
I have a Compaq 5000 and use windows 98 plus virus stuff etc. I have never been happy with the newer computers. However 29.00 total is cheap if it makes it better. Thanks for the advice.
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MrBusinessMan
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posted on July 23, 2001 05:55:52 PM
I use Thompson Computer Warehouse regularly and recommend them highly. And no, I don't work for them, I'm just a very happy customer. Their web site is TCWO (use your imagination and fill in the blanks). Here are their current SDRAM offerings:
128 MB PC133 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 24.00
128MB PC100 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 22.00
128MB PC66 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 41.00
256 MB PC100 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 39.00
256 MB PC133 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 44.00
32MB PC100 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 12.00
32MB PC66 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 17.00
512 MB PC133 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 119.00
64 MB PC133 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 17.00
64MB PC100 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 15.00
64MB PC66 SDRAM Lifetime Warranty! 22.00
The best part? Their shipping/handling is only $6.95 for ANYTHING on the web site that weights 125 lbs or less!
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