no sound, usb or memory!

got a couple of questions. i just received an older computer. it has win 95 w/ about 64mb total mem. anyways, first question, is it possible to put more memory into it? i have a junk computer that i know has memory. is it possible to "safely" take parts from it and put it into the working computer? 2nd question, it has no sound, how can i make it so? i know there's a built in speaker, but it might not be so good. next question, after getting more memory (hopefully) and sound i want to have a usb drive so i can download mp3s and digital pics. is there a contraption in existence that i can hook up to it so that's possible? i'm probably hoping too much out of it.
thanks for any and all help!

 

Hi mindfuljenn,

RAM:
Just open both cases (boxes) and see if the RAM sticks are the same physical dimensions. Some motherboards from that era had both 72 pin and 168 pin slots, 168 pin ran in two different voltages (the old one was 5 volt). Anyway, if they look like they will swap over, remove the current sticks and replace them with the new ones...NB. without forcing them in, compare the "lug" position by matching the sticks end to end (actually, end to reverse end). Edit: be careful where you touch the sticks (or the motherboard), hold them by the card, don't hold them by the chips or connectors or you may zap them with your built-up electrostatics. Touch the frame of the case to discharge your electrostatics.

Some motherboards won't run EDO RAM. So don't mix them together until you know the "new" ones will work by themselves.

If you like, post back with both the motherboard model numbers. We should be able to find the specs and motherboard manual for them and remove any doubt. The model number should be printed on the mobo. You will need a mobo manual for any serious upgrading anyway.

Sound:
If you cannot find any speaker connector plug-holes (the technical term ), you will need to add a PCI (or ISA) soundcard.

Matt

 

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how do i know what is the RAM stick? i'll try looking up some pics on the web. i'll try popping them both open and comparing them. if they look the same and i switch them, could that cause any damage, or should i just leave it as it is?
thanks for your help

 

On 168 pin sticks the different types (with different voltages) have lugs that are very close to the same position, maybe 1mm difference, so it is possible to force a stick of the wrong voltage into the slot. Even forcing the wrong voltage type in will probably only damage the RAM, not the motherboard (unless you "crack" the board itself with the force) . If you carefully check the location of the lug there won't be any damage, it may just not work, in which case, just put the old ones back in.

The general arrangement of the sticks is to put the highest capacity module(s) in bank 0, next largest in bank 1, next in bank 2.

Something else, original Pentium machines which had 72 pin sticks mainly required them to be in "matched pairs ". If they seem to be in pairs or the banks (slots) are labelled as pairs, keep the "pairing" arragement.

RAM with rows of chips on both sides may not work well mixed with single-sided types.

Nothing should be damaged unless you force them into the wrong slot.

Matt

 

The internal speaker is likely to be connected to the motherboard for boot diagnosis (beep codes). As Matt says check for an ISA or PCI soundcard or speaker connections on the back of the PC. Providing you have a spare PCI slot you should be able to connect a cheap Win 95 compatible soundcard.

 

Paul's post reminded me, if you install a soundcard you will need to get an audio lead (small cable) that connects from the back of the CD drive to the soundcard input. My first soundcard did not come with one and it had me bamboozled for a while why audio CDs would not play. There are different types of connectors according to which CD drive you have. Most are the 4 pin type (Sony, I think). Make a note of the drives audio connector if you need to find one.

Matt

 

IIRC Matt, I had that problem with no lead from the CD to the soundcard as well. I too was scratching for some time.

 

i looked again at the back, and guess what i found...the speaker plug. lol. anyways, it's still short on memory, so i'm going to try to remove misc programs and apps that i don't need, like freecell. i found some usb drives on ebay, so i might buy one and then see if anyone i know will be able to put it in for me. by the way, will windows 95 support a usb drive? if not, i'll just leave it as it is. a usb drive isn't that important for school. thanks for the help.

 

W95 USB support is best described as "flakey" It wasn't supported until 95b, or OSR 2.0 and 2.1. With further inprovements in the final release being OSR 2.5 or 95c. There is somewhere a USB suppliment download for windows 95. Personally I wouldn't bother too much with USB for 95. You may be disappointed.

Also, the USB drive will need a CD (or download) of W95 drivers.

 

OK...Do you want more memory, or more hard drive capacity? Memory is technically called RAM, or Random Access Memory. Hard Drive capacity is how many files you can have on your computer, BASICALLY.
An anology I like to use for less-than-expert computer users is:
Lets say you work as a lawyer. You have a Filing cabinet that can hold 80 Gigabytes of data. That filing cabinet is similar to the HARD DRIVE inside your computer. Now, lets say you have 10 GB (Gigabytes) of files in your "Filing Cabinet ". How much RAM (Random Access Memory, or Memory) You have determines how many things your computer can do at one time. So, essentially, your RAM is the size of your desk in your law firm. If you tried to put all 10GB of data from your cabinet to your desk, things would get very hectic for you. same thing with your PC. try to laod too many programs, and things get slow (laggy), and confusing. So, RAM = Size of "Desk ", or how many things you can do at once and Hard Drive space is how many files/programs your computer can hold.
Hope this helped out a bit.
By the way, uninstalling programs will gain you nothing but hard drive space. If you had posted 2 weeks ago, I would GLADLY send you enough memory from the era of your new machine to last awhile. I had all kinds of memory just layin around in my room...too bad its in the trash now.