A friend bought a used computer with Windows '98. Then he bought the XP home edition and installed it. Now he has a lot of money installed into a very old (and slow-moving) computer. It still has plenty of memory, so it's not a total waste. What can I do to help him speed it up, short of buying a new computer?
2006-11-05 14:39:36 · 14 answers · asked by mitch 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
New CPU and RAM. A new motherboard should have a CPU in it. So a new motherboard and more RAM. 1.5 ghz processor and 512 mb ram is good for basic computer functions. If u want gaming or higher PC function, get more ram and speed.
2006-11-05 14:48:35 · answer #1 · answered by Gray Fox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The SLOWEST component in a computer is the hard drive. Replace the old (likely 5400 rpm 2 meg cache) hard drive with a modern 16 meg cache 7200 rpm hard drive and you'll see a significant reduction in load and boot times. Also learn how to tweak windows xp, theres a lot of performance under the hood if you know how to unleash it. Things like shutting off Disk Indexing and System Restore can provide a HUGE boost, especially to an older system. Of course add more ram and stick the fastest cpu on the motherboard it'll support.
2006-11-05 15:04:05 · answer #2 · answered by letmepicyou 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chances are your friends machine has 128 ram. I doubt it would be much less, xp min (suggested) is 128. That leads to our next mystery. With an orignial operating system of win 98, the max ram the board will hold is either 256 or 512mb.
Right click on "my computer" and goto properties. In the lower right hand corner will be the amount of ram installed.
Next, check with the manufacturer for the max amount and type. Chances are it takes pc 100/133, they are interchangable.
You should be able to buy more ram on ebay for about 15-30 dollars depending on the amount you buy.
Any questions, feel free to ask.
2006-11-05 14:47:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on your motherboard, you could get a faster processor.
Also if your motherboard have free slots, buy more RAM, it will help increase your system speed.
There is also getting a video card with more RAM and GPU which could help speed up your system.
If you have the capability, you could get to 10,000 RPM identical SATA hard drives and set them up in a RAID 0 array.
Many possibilities but being able to get a faster CPU could be the easiest and most economical way.
2006-11-05 14:48:01 · answer #4 · answered by mystic_golfer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the age of the computer, it may be more cost effective just to buy a newer model. You can buy a 256 meg video card, 2 gig of ram, 10k rpm harddrive and if he only has a 100mhz processer, its still gonna be slow.
For about the same prices as buying new parts, you can get a pretty decent computer. ($400-600 range)
It pays to do a little research on component prices VS a brand new machine
2006-11-05 14:53:11 · answer #5 · answered by DARKSHADOE 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-21 08:17:20 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html
2006-11-06 12:44:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing you have lots of memory (and RAM too ;-o ) about the only thing you are going to be able to do is to check the startup folder (and other registry startup places) for the non required stuff. Also have him turn off as many services as he can too. A good tool for this is winpatrol (free) and is linked below. Lastly turn off all windows special effects and themes.
2006-11-05 14:50:44 · answer #8 · answered by orlandobillybob 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a slow processor , what ever you added it is slow, but it would help to add RAM. windows 98 needs 64MB to run windows xp needs 128 to run . so the more RAM you have the better.
2006-11-05 14:46:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mitch, let me make it very easy for you and your friend. Go to Tuneup Utilities site, download their free trial program and use it to tell you what this old machine needs to come up to par. Look into the Tuneup system optimizer and it will tell you exactly what you need. I have a feeling though that it will cost more than a new machine.
2006-11-05 15:14:05 · answer #10 · answered by Nikolas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋