Calling all Computer Geeks! (page 3)

BurnTheShips

You need a RAM upgrade badly. You are probably using virtual memory all the time, it resides on the hard disk, which is much slower.

BTS

AK - Jeff

Looks like I should take a look at RAM first - that is pretty cheap - then go from there, eh?

Suggestions on a good amount of RAM for today's world? I basically just use the internet for research type stuff and occasional movies/videos [of the non-porn type for whoever said that] LOL.

I will check out the suggested site for upgrade suggestions. Thanx again.

I have suspected that RAM might be the place to start - thanx for pointing me that way.

Jeff

leavingwt

Jeff, if the slowness corresponds with the installation of IE 8, then uninstall IE 8 or run the fixe I've linked to.

Elsewhere

[ Quietly tip-toes back out of the room ]

AK - Jeff

Ok - well I just ordered a GB of memory to fill the empty slot. For starters a cheap way to begin.

I noted that when I went to Office Outlook email [instead of Outlook Express], that it loads pretty slow. Also, some applications that are not related to internet browsing run slow at times, so I suspect that the upgrade might improve those also. Anyway, it can't hurt to upgrade the memory.

I will take a look at the IE8 issue as you suggest leavingwt in the meantime.

Jeff

drwtsn32

Suggestions on a good amount of RAM for today's world?

What is the model of your Compaq? I will look up what the max amount of RAM it can handle. I'd probably upgrade to 1GB or 2GB of RAM. It's so cheap nowadays it doesn't make sense to upgrade to "only" 512MB, although that still will improve performance.

Homerovah the Almighty

Jeff, there are a cumulative amount of reasons why your system has slowed down, filling up your hard drive to maximum is one ,

but more importantly your RAM is inadequate, forcing your programs to use virtual memory off of your hard drive and not

your RAM as it should, that is why when you first get your computer with hardly any programs installed and just your operating system

the computer seems pretty zippy. By the specs. that you've given I would estimate that the computer is @ 7 or 8 years old.

Being the age of the system that you have, adding more RAM or even finding the correct RAM that your mother board requires would be

somewhat difficult to find, since that RAM is most likely outdated. I'm with the other posters suggestion of replacing the whole computer with

something newer, its time to upgrade for now and the future and you'll appreciate the speed of the newer ones once you start working with it.

I consider myself a mid-level technician.

still_in74

anything under 256 mb RAM with XP will run slow. If you have any other programs running in the background (which the majority of aver. comp. users do and dont even know it) using resources you will easily you over 200 mb RAM just to run idle.

You should have over 500mb to run XP without hangups. I would still recommend you format the HD. Your system is probably loaded with free internet download add-ons....

Homerovah the Almighty

WHOA stop right there Jeff with that RAM idea , you do not even know if that is the correct RAM for your mother board.

You cant install any RAM that you find.

Todays RAM on the market is most likely NOT compatible with the RAM that originally came with your system.

Homerovah the Almighty

Talk to me Jeff , my brother owns and operates his own computer store.

Calling all Computer Geeks!

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