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upgrade memory/GB questions
Name: sidneytaylor Date: November 6, 2003 at 10:26:10 Pacific OS: Win ME CPU/Ram: 124
Comment:
I have a Compaq Presario 1200 laptop. I have 124 MB of RAM, 52% free. In my C: it says I have 6.62 GB with only 690 MB free. Don't know much about computers but I'm told this is low. I've deleted as much as I can from my computer. I don't know the first step. Is it more memory that I need? If not, what? I'm VERY nervous about letting a repair person take my computer for a week and maybe delete all my stuff. Also worry about adding/upgrading and then my computer having problems because of it. Is this a simple, worry free thing or do alot of problems come from it? Beginner, so use easy computer words.
Name: rac Date: November 6, 2003 at 10:50:58 Pacific
Reply:
Your RAM and your C: drive "free" are two entirely different things. The RAM is memory and the C: statistic is free space left on the drive. 690 MB of free space is quite low, for it leaves you with not very much space for new program, additional data in documents, graphic files, etc. Installing a second drive as a slave to the present one is a very simple task and can be done in about 30 minutes maximum. You can also add more RAM. 128 is OK for Windows ME, but another 128 RAM module would improve performance. Cost is not very much and installation takes minutes.
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Response Number 2
Name: jam Date: November 6, 2003 at 11:08:53 Pacific
Reply:
You probably have 128mb of RAM with 4mb used to run your video, giving you efectivey, 124mb. That really shouldn't be a problem...more is better, but 128 is adequate. The amount free will vary depending on what you're doing at the time you check, I wouldn't worry about RAM, unless you're unhappy with your system's performance. Then you can go with either 256 or 512mb total.
Hard drive space is another thing though. 6.62GB used on a WinME system seems like you have a LOT of stuff installed...are you sure you need it all? I just checked my WinME system for comparison & I'm using less than 3.0GB of space...my primary system (running WinXP) is using about the same as you...6.56GB, but I have a LOT of programs installed. If you do need everything, a hard drive upgrade may be necessary. In that case, your old files will have to be transferred to the new drive...nothing to be tackled by a novice. I'm sure a shop would suggest a larger hard drive, a memory upgrade, & possibly try to get you to upgrade your operating stystem to Windows XP. All of which are probably valid. Bottom line will be cost...it may be more cost effective to by a new laptop. But that's something I can't answer...
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Response Number 3
Name: sidneytaylor Date: November 6, 2003 at 11:11:20 Pacific
Reply:
Is this something I can do(I may not know alot about computers but I am very handy) or would I have to take it to a computer person? What are the odds of losing data while doing this?
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Response Number 4
Name: jam Date: November 6, 2003 at 11:12:11 Pacific
Reply:
I'm not very familiar with laptops...can a second hard drive be installed as a slave in the same way as a desktop machine? or will the hard drive have to be swapped & the files transferred to the new drive? The 2nd option is my assumption, but I'm not certain....
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Response Number 5
Name: sidneytaylor Date: November 6, 2003 at 11:15:27 Pacific
Reply:
Response #3 is for rac.
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Response Number 6
Name: sidneytaylor Date: November 6, 2003 at 11:17:03 Pacific
Reply:
Thank you for your response "jam".
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Response Number 7
Name: rac Date: November 6, 2003 at 12:42:40 Pacific
Reply:
OUCH! you caught me reading your original post too fast. Sorry! You can't install a second hard drive on a laptop, so as jam suggested, as new and larger hard drive will be necessary if you are going to want to have much future for your machine. As jam says, instaling the drive and transferring everything from the old to the new drive is a bit tricky, especially with a laptop, if you haven't done that before. One alternative is to buy an external hard drive (connects thru USB)and use it a secondary drive just like an installed slave. It's a bit slower data transfer than an internal drive, but it's a simple solution.
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Response Number 8
Name: mannie Date: November 6, 2003 at 12:52:11 Pacific
Reply:
I think you should bite the bullet. Take it to a shop and have them copy the current hard drive to a larger one and install it.
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Response Number 9
Name: OtheHill Date: November 6, 2003 at 16:42:28 Pacific
Reply:
How about buying an external USB drive?
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Response Number 10
Name: sonnysandiego Date: November 7, 2003 at 17:31:12 Pacific
Reply:
if you don't use all the progams that are installed, delete some and free up disk space. go to start/settings/control panel/add remove programs to see what you have.
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