Anyone really good with computers?

[xhaust50]

My computer is far from great, but I'd really like to get by with it for the time being for budget reasons. This is what I have:

http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/everex-stepnote-va4101m/4505-3121_7-32329096.html

The problem is when running multiple windows/programs the computer gets slow, glitchy, and sometimes crashes. I am assuming this is from running windows Vista with only 512mb of RAM, but I guess it could be the processor too. What I would like is to be able to run Internet/Microsoft Word/Itunes, or similar programs at the same time without sacrificing speed. I don't do any gaming or anything drastic. Just stuff for school and the Ipod. This is what I think my options are:

1. Upgrade to 1GB Ram (Less than $50)
2. Remove Vista and run Windows XP

Which would give me better performance? Also, I tried eliminating Vista and running XP, but my computer couldn't connect to the wireless internet. Perhaps there is a hardware compatibility problem?

Any wisdom is appreciated.

 

[jpitch]

for a bang for the buck i'd go with a RAM upgrade. Newegg's cheapest 1g stick is:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227099

for 21.99 + 3 day shipping for 5.99 you can't beat it. I didn't read in depth if you laptop has 1 or 2 memory slots but it if has 2, test your laptop with both configurations. 1 with both memory chips and 1 with just your new stick.

AFIK, running vista or xp won't change your performance for the applications you want to run. once you put the new ram in both OS's should handle multi tasking the same. The problem you have is your celeron processor. i'm surprised laptops are still being made with them.

with that being said, your ram upgrade should give you your desired result, the capability of multitasking. also, using Newegg saves you some dough since they don't charge tax I THINK. new york just threw on the newly labeled "Amazon tax". I don't know if that has started yet. but then again, we all claim our internet purchases on our yearly tax forms anyways, don't we? DON'T WE? 8)

 

[jpitch]

as far as your inability to connect to your wireless, have you installed all your drivers? i don't know if your laptop came with a driver disk. how did you install xp? did you reformat the hard drive first?

 

[xhaust50]

Yes I did reformat, but I didn't do anything as far as the drivers go when I loaded XP. I CD. I was assuming that XP would be faster than Vista since it consumes less RAM, which seems to be my weakest link at this point. Also, my laptop has 2 memory slots so I'm thinking I'll just buy 2 1gb RAM since it's not expensive.

For the link you posted, how do I know if that RAM is compatibility with my system?

I found this:
http://www.1stchoicememory.com/catalog/configurator.asp?b=Everex&m=29501&p=C295011842

Prices are a few more dollars but it's free shipping.

Also, is swapping the RAM as easy as opening the slot, pulling the cards out and putting the new ones in? Anything special needed?

Thanks.

 

[FalsePerc]

To be compatible, the new ram has to be DDR2 SDRAM at 533 MHz (according to your link to your computer's information). Any reputable memory store (such as newegg) will prominently list these properties. To expand on jpitch's link, the following memory bundles seem to fit your requirements nicely:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0381+1309221133+1309121117&name=2GB+(2+x+1GB)

And, yes, for most computers installing memory is ridiculously simple. Plug and play, with few exceptions.

Mike

 

[jpitch]

WORD OF CAUTION!!!

Computer components are EXTREMELY sensitive to electricity, static electricity included. When handling ram, or video cards, sound cards, etc, make sure you're grounded before touching the internals of your laptop. i normally am in contact with some type of metal, like the frame of my desktop pc at all times when swapping/installing components. Installing ram is as easy as FalsePerc says. Underneath your laptop will be a lid you screw open, pop the 2 side clips holding the ram in, gently pulling out the old ram, inserting the new ram in, closing the clips, then reattach the lid you screwed off.

The link FalsePerc gave is perfect for you. It's the same as your link but cheaper. You can't beat 3 day shipping either. I don't know if your link charges tax, but I know Newegg doesn't, unless they're subject to the new tax law NY imposed recently.

REMEMBER TO BE GROUNDED WHEN INSTALLING COMPUTER COMPONENTS!!!

 

[xhaust50]

I'd imagine it's going to be a two-handed procedure for me. Can I put my foot on something to serve as a ground?

 

[jpitch]

as long as you don't have socks and shoes on. it's not as hard as you may think. don't be scared of my warning. if heeded this will take 3 min tops. pumping gas into your car more complex.

 

[cdamiano]

Vista is a memory hog. Windows XP would probably work ok with the 512MB if all you are running is Internet Explorer/Word/Itunes, although if you can get the extra RAM for $20 or so then it may help a little if you are opening a lot of windows. Vista needs at least 1GB to run the same apps comfortably and in my experience will run slower then XP unless you are running it on faster hardware than what you currently have. If you are looking at it from a pure performance aspect on the machine that you currently have, then go with XP.

 

[jmadd]

I again vista is a 1 gig min. Go for 2 if your system can handle it. As far as putting it in it is very simple. I would also recommend going to www.crucial.com I use them for all my memory needs from laptops to servers just cant beat them go ahead and do a system scan there and it will tell you what you have and what you need to buy to get to 2 gig or whatever you max is. They also have excellent support if you do happen to get a bad stick or just need help installing.

 

[xhaust50]

Well, I swapped the 2 1g RAM cards in, but my system says my RAM is 958MB. Does that mean that's my max, or do I have to upload something?

 

[Monkeyfish]

You do not need to load any type of software when installing RAM. According to the specs on your notebook it should be able to accept 2gigs of RAM. It's possible that one of the sticks of RAM is defective or not installed correctly and therefore not registering. I'd take them both out, put one stick in, boot up the system and see what the RAM reads as (how many megs). Shut down the computer, add the other stick, reboot and check the system memory again.

 

[jpitch]

to determine if both sticks work. use just 1, boot up, see how much ram you have. if it shows 1g, take it out, put the other one in, repeat. if that one works as well, put both in and check. it's possible that you just didn't seat 1 of the sticks in correctly.

 

[xhaust50]

Hmm... with one stick it registers 446MB of Ram. Both sticks say they are 1Gig though.

 

[jpitch]

Hmm, I've never even heard of that problem before. Where did you buy the ram from? It sounds like the ram is mislabeled.

 

[xhaust50]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&N=2010260381+1309221133+1309121117&name=2GB+(2+x+1GB)

 

[jpitch]

I just talked with a friend of mine, who's a real computer guru. He said there there are some manufacturers out there that make claims about there motherboards that aren't exactly true. I would find out what motherboard you have and check to see if it requires "double density" ram. If that's the case then you might have to purchase that type of ram, which is significantly more expensive.

Regarding your system saying it recognizes 446MB of RAM, if you have onboard video then that takes a chunk outta available ram.

If you have a friend willing to do a little experiment, ask them to install your newly purchased ram and see what it says. If it registers what it should you know the problem is on your end. If it reads the same thing for them as what you show then you know the ram is either labeled wrong or there's something wrong with it. HTH

 

[xhaust50]

Alright, I'll see if my brothers laptop uses the same RAM.

My computer is noticeably faster though. It doesn't slow/crash when I have multiple windows open and youtube going like it used to, which is really all I was looking for.