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Behemoth
26-04-2005, 12:06
I have a few computer questions that I could do with some help with.

1. Does upgrading RAM really make a difference to the performance of a PC? I have 256mb and I'm thinking of upgrading to 512mb but I would like to know the benefits please :)

2. Does anyone know how to access the folder of programs that load at the PC start up? I know all about msconfig but I want to add more programs to the start up list.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Meh
26-04-2005, 12:47
You can never have enough RAM! I'm assuming you are running Windows XP - moving to 512 will make a considerable difference. At the moment your computer will be doing a lot of IO access (i.e. reading and writing to the hard disc) which slows down your computer enormously. Increasing the RAM will minimise IO access. Well worth the investment. Do you know what kind of memory it is?

Right click on start and select explore. Then navigate to Programs -> Start and copy the shortcut to the program you want to start at bootup there.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 13:00
I am running Windows XP. How do you mean 'what kind of memory?'

Meh
26-04-2005, 13:22
Depending on the age of your computer it could have SDRAM, DDR, RAMBUS, SDR ...

I can find out for you. Do you know what motherboard you have? To find out, click start -> run, and then type msinfo32

In the information window that comes up, the information you reuire will be next to system model.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 13:37
DA148A-ABU 433 is what it says next to System Model. :)

Meh
26-04-2005, 13:47
Your computer wouldn't be a HP by any chance would it? To be exact: Hewlett Packard Pavilion 433

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 13:50
It is! How did you know?

Meh
26-04-2005, 13:55
Google is my friend :)

The memory you need is DDR 2100 spec. Now, the only issue is this: your motherboard has 2 slots. do you know if the 256mb stick in at the moment is 1x256 or 2x128? If its the latter, then I recommend you buy 512mb of memory, as you will have to dispose of one 128mb.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 14:00
Google is my friend :)

The memory you need is DDR 2100 spec. Now, the only issue is this: your motherboard has 2 slots. do you know if the 256mb stick in at the moment is 1x256 or 2x128? If its the latter, then I recommend you buy 512mb of memory, as you will have to dispose of one 128mb.

I have no idea. Can't I just buy 512mb whatever the current RAM situation is? If I have one 256mb stick, can I then buy 512mb so I have about 780mb?

Meh
26-04-2005, 14:04
yup, you can do that. Ebuyer (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=UFNQcm9kdWN0U2VhcmNoUmVzdWx0cw%3 D%3D&order_col=sell_price&order=ASC&subcat_uid=688) is good source.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 14:08
Thanks, you're dead helpful! Would you be able to recommend any?

Meh
26-04-2005, 14:36
Kingston (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=7083490699&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=23906) normally do good quality memory.

I'd go with branded memory as HPs can be quite particular.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 15:14
What do you mean by branded? Made by HP?

Meh
26-04-2005, 15:23
Nope, I mean Kingston or Crucial, not a 3rd party make.

Behemoth
26-04-2005, 15:28
Oh right. Thanks for all your help, Mordor!