Adding Ram to a Computer

I have a friend's computer over at my house trying to clean up the junk and file off his files as his computer is running very slow.

I went to Bellarc Adviser to find out what is on his system and to see if he can add additional memory. I can't tell if additional memory can be added. I will try to quote some of the things that Belarc Reports and maybe someone can tell me if this computer is worth upgrading. Thank you in Advance.

Belarc Advisor Current Profile

Computer Profile Summary
Computer Name: B3s9v9 (in WORKGROUP)
Profile Date: Monday, February 13, 2006 6:41:50 PM
Advisor Version: 7.0t
Windows Logon: jacksaccente

Operating System System Model
Windows 98 SE (build 4.10.2222) 00101680 6830 15293700051234
System Serial Number: 5678HPPAV3
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
700 megahertz Intel Celeron
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
128 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: Trigem Computer, Inc.
Cognac
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies LTD 3.00 01/26/01
Drives Memory Modules c,d
20.40 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
18.98 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

LITEON CD-ROM LTN485S
Generic floppy disk drive (3.5 ")

QUANTUM FIREBALLlct20 20 [Hard drive] (20.42 GB) -- drive 0, s/n
652031822401, rev APL.0900, SMART Status: Healthy 64 Megabytes
Installed Memory
Local Drive Volumes

c: (FAT32 on drive 0)20.40 GB18.98 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
jacksaccente
HP DeskJet 670C Series Printeron LPT1:
Lexmark 5200 Serieson USB001
Lexmark X5100 Serieson USB001
Lexmark Z25-Z35on USB003
Lexmark Z25-Z35on USB002

Controllers Display
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Intel 82801AA Bus Master IDE Controller
Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo) Intel(R) 82810 Graphics
Controller [Display adapter]
hp f1503 [Monitor] (14.9 "vis, s/n CNCHP0K446, October 2003)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel 82801AA USB Universal Host Controller Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Gameport Joystick (no joystick connected)
MPU-401 Compatible
Communications Other Devices
Lucent Win Modem


Jean

 

Try Everest Home Edition to find out what's already installed.

The RAM is most likely PC100 or PC133. Either way, it will be quite expensive to buy new. Try finding a good deal on used memory, or apply the money toward a new computer.

 

I wouldnt suggest running windows xp on it unless you can have at least 256mb of ram. Windows 9x operating systems have a problem with partitioning/formatting hard drives larger than 60 gigabytes. Hard drive life is only expected 3-5 years on some of the hard drives. Seagate now has hard drives with 5 year warranties.

If I am correct Trigem makes Emachines also and finding a new bios maybe difficult if needed.

 

Thank you all for your help. I will pass the information on to my friend, Jack. I agree I think he just needs a new computer. I did all the clean up that was suggested and it is still as slow as ever. I also took all his files off (pictures, movies, etc.) so when he does decide to purchase a new computer he won't have so much to deal with.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Jean

 

I "sort of" agree with you Pete. When it came out, 64Mb was pretty "big" (standard was 32Mb). I have Win 98 on my main machines with 512Mb of RAM and I can't see any speed reductions compared to Win XP.

64Mb of RAM will mean that you can only run a small number of programs at a time or just one rather large program.

What I generally see is that with the addition of new programs, those new programs load "monitors" that run in the background. I check using Ctrl-Alt-Del to see what is running in the background. I use the program's Tools menu to stop it's functions running at startup or you can use the Startup tab in msconifg.

Some internet junk can run "invisibly ". Use up-to-date antispyware.

Antiviruses that run automatically can slow things down enormously while they check all file activity.

64Mb is quite small for todays programs. In the past I have been given slow machines with that amount of RAM. I reformat and load Windows and basic programs that will not fill up the RAM during startup and run in the background. Over time I know they will be reloaded with a lot of things that will slow them down. Today, that would mean the last life before a new OS (no more support for 98 )

Matt