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User no longer registered.
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XP
this isn't really about XP.
I have an older computer that has that for an operating system. I had made it work again and it crashed bad this am.
Since it apparently needs serious work, can I replace the 2 256 mb of ram [512 total] with 2 512 mb of ram. I also found a 10gb hard drive that'll work in it.
After this, I was thinkin of adding windows7 for operating system. I understand that RAM is Randon Acess Memory. If I understand correctly, this is the temp or overflow memory?
Any suggestions or outlooks are appreciated. 
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| March 10, 2011, 20:41 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
I did some more reading. Seems from the reviews i read, i can add 2 1gb RAM and have it work more betterer than 2-2gb.
I also found a 2 TB hard drive that'll work in it. WTF is a TB?
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| March 10, 2011, 21:50 |
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Dutsji
63 / male
Ergens, Netherlands
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Re: XP
TB is Terrabyte, Strictly that is 1000 Gigbyte.
1000 TB is called Petabyte
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| March 10, 2011, 22:48 |
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yepper12
73 / male
Jeffersonville, Pennsylvania, US
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Re: XP
Go to Crucial dot co m you can run a free scam , you have to down load the scan . you will see. It will scan your system it will tell what in in your system and tell how much your system will take. You can buy memery cheap there also. As far as w 7 what cpu do you have? most older system do not have the cpu power to run w 7.
Now maybe you should look for a cheap new unit you can get a good unit for around 300. buck . I buy parts from NEWEGG about the cheapest I have found . Hope this helps
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| March 10, 2011, 22:50 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
thanks for the answer.
I cann't go anywhere online with it. Won't start. Nuffin 
I did find out it was designed to accomadate 1GB of Ram. the "stock" hard drive is 80GB. the hard drive will need replaced so I'm thinking of a 160GB.
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| March 10, 2011, 23:14 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: XP
Each system does have its upgrade limits. You really should know those before you do anything. And Yepper is correct you might be better going with a new or refurb system.
Regarding windows, everyone has their own opinions. I can tell you we have 3 experts in my family and they argue all the time over this stuff. But they ALL HATE windows. If you have to have it then they get into which version sucks the most. lol You actually might want to consider Lynx instead of Windows.
If you don't know that much about computers I don't know if you want to take on rebuilding a system or even reformatting a system.
Don't you know some computer geek kid that can check all this for you? Can you even boot into safe mode?
Is the stuff your replacing bad or do you just need to reformat and you decided to upgrade?
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| March 11, 2011, 04:10 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
There was one guy here in town that was really good. No one seems to know where he went.
I've had to replace this hard drive 3 times. [counting this one] The other two were under warranty. I figger since I need the hard drive, I should upgrade the RAM also. I found a good price on the hard drive and also 2-512MB RAM thingies. Both are easily accessable and can do those myself.
I'm undecided on what operating system to use at this time.
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| March 11, 2011, 12:47 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: XP
I would think the work and money involved you might be able to get a basic system all set up. If I had the money I would get a MAC hands down my choice. You pay more up front but save in the long run. They also have great cust service.
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| March 12, 2011, 01:39 |
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GG317
60 / male
Bowl of Granola, Massachusetts, US
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Re: XP
For the money your looking to sink into this pit of a computer, one might think you'd be better off looking at a whole new system. They go for cheap money and come already upgraded with the latest innovations, bells, and whistles that'll have you up and running in no time. Just something to think about.
Oh and while I'm thinking of it...Windows 7 is nice, but look into Ubuntu 10.04. It's a freeware program that might help you out better being on the road and all. It's a Linux based system (don't fear the penguins). It mimics Windows 7 with most of the new features you'll find in 7. Most free Wi/Fi setups don't have virus protection protocols. That makes it easier for you to catch something nasty. Linux Ubuntu has only less than a dozen virus written for it where as Windows would need a book as thick as, "War and Peace" to fit all the ones written for them. Just something to check into... 
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| March 12, 2011, 04:21 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: XP
QUOTE (GentleGiant388 @ March 12, 2011, 04:21)For the money your looking to sink into this pit of a computer, one might think you'd be better off looking at a whole new system. They go for cheap money and come already upgraded with the latest innovations, bells, and whistles that'll have you up and running in no time. Just something to think about.
Oh and while I'm thinking of it...Windows 7 is nice, but look into Ubuntu 10.04. It's a freeware program that might help you out better being on the road and all. It's a Linux based system (don't fear the penguins). It mimics Windows 7 with most of the new features you'll find in 7. Most free Wi/Fi setups don't have virus protection protocols. That makes it easier for you to catch something nasty. Linux Ubuntu has only less than a dozen virus written for it where as Windows would need a book as thick as, "War and Peace" to fit all the ones written for them. Just something to check into...
This isn't a puter I use on the road. It stays home. Cost isn't really a concern from what I've found. The hard drive was about $80=[as opposed to $200 from HP] The 2--512 MB of RAM were about $45. I've been thinking of replacing the Intel pentium 4 with something newer too. That's an option though. Lots of options with this.
Not to mention-----it's the challenge of doing something like this. 
fyi MIcrosoft is discontinuing XP support in 2014. i wanted to add that. I thought about using XP over 7.
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| March 12, 2011, 13:07 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: XP
I don't know any computer geek that likes windows if they have a choice. I know some people hate windows 7 others love it. I am in agreement with GG. I would go MAC if I could but if not think about Linux as I has said and at very least go for the new or refurb system with all the new crap already loaded and you would even have a warranty and support for a few more dollars than what your talking about in parts so far.
If you look at building the system as a challenge and that's why you want too do it then I say go for it. I think of it more like torture. I have done enough of that. I now have a son that does anything I want with computers so I don't have to anymore. If not him I just hand it off to my brothers. They enjoy it I don't. It's like that damn jeep my son is rebuilding. Some see it as a relaxing enjoyable thing I see it as a big piece of rusty mettle that doesn't run.
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| March 12, 2011, 20:25 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
I figger it'll help me understand it more. I like knowing stuff like that. Plus, it'll give me the chance to work on somethin' without getting greasy.-----
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| March 12, 2011, 22:29 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
Well, I instaled he new hard drive and RAM this am. While trying to install the OS, it didn't want to do anything. I put the old hard drie in and still nothin'. I put the new hard drive back in and put he old RAM in.
After that it worked. It is slow but think that it's a RAM issue. The puter told me this had 2x256MB of RAM = 512.
What I found was it has 2 512 RAM sticks in it. Guess I'll have to trade the new ones for 1GB intems.
From what I read, 2x512 should equal the 1024MB this can handle. Guess they wasn't exactly correct. lol
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| March 14, 2011, 22:46 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
I also bought a netbook from Wal-Mart. I really like it so far. It an Acer. Has cam and lots of stuff in it. 1GB DDR3 memory, 250 GB HDD. Pretty fast so far. Very much like the size. It's gonna be much easier to use in thde truck
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| March 15, 2011, 00:37 |
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Mooant
41 / male
New Britain, Connecticut, US
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Re: Re: XP
QUOTE (OOMG @ March 14, 2011, 22:46)Well, I instaled he new hard drive and RAM this am. While trying to install the OS, it didn't want to do anything. I put the old hard drie in and still nothin'. I put the new hard drive back in and put he old RAM in.
After that it worked. It is slow but think that it's a RAM issue. The puter told me this had 2x256MB of RAM = 512.
What I found was it has 2 512 RAM sticks in it. Guess I'll have to trade the new ones for 1GB intems.
From what I read, 2x512 should equal the 1024MB this can handle. Guess they wasn't exactly correct. lol
From the looks of this quote, there seems to be some sort of limit to the RAM where it's not recognizing anything above 512 MB. Getting larger amounts of RAM wont fix that. There are many things in a computer that will limit the amount of recognizable RAM, but the two biggest culprits are an On Board Video Card and the BIOS.
An On Board Video Card is a video card on the motherboard (The thing that EVERYTHING plugs into, hence the mother in motherboard). This OBVC basically takes some of the available RAM and tells the computer that nothing else but the video card can use it. 512 MB is a bit large for one of those, even on newer computers, but it has happened in the past. Getting a new video card can fix this issue, fairly safe to do this work if you've already had the competency to install RAM.
The BIOS is a program that runs when you first turn on the computer. Its job is to go around, turn on all the different components and make sure they start talking to each other fine and then find a 'Boot File.' A Boot File is a simple text file that says where all the instructions to load up the user interface is, most people use Windows or Linux, the boot file tells the hardware how to access Windows or Linux. Sometimes the BIOS has limitations put in because it would be 'impossible' for some of those limits to be reached at the time that the computer was built, but then the limits were broken and made in a way that the computer would normally be able to use them if it weren't for the BIOS getting in the way. A BIOS update can fix this in most motherboards, but you stand a pretty good chance of destroying the computer if you make a mistake.
I'd also mention that any computer over 5 years old isn't worth putting money into, but you've already said you're doing this to learn.
QUOTE (newbie1011 @ March 12, 2011, 20:25)I don't know any computer geek that likes windows if they have a choice. I know some people hate windows 7 others love it.
I like Windows :P
Mac has its uses (mostly video and audio editing), but as you said, they're really only good if you spend the money on them. Linux isn't really meant for personal computing, more for server systems. I take that back, Linux is meant for people that know what the fuck their doing, as any simple mistake can bring the whole system down.
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| March 15, 2011, 03:13 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
I made a mistake about what was on the ram thingies. I looked again and they do both say 256. It says that puter can handle 1024MB. The problem was that I bought the wrong type of ram card.  That'll get fixed. No biggy. As I said, this is as much about learning than anything.
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| March 15, 2011, 03:47 |
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Mooant
41 / male
New Britain, Connecticut, US
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Re: XP
Yea... There's SDRAM, then DDR RAM, DDR2 Ram, and DDR3 RAM. DDR5 RAM should be coming out soon, if it isn't out already.
(protip: Graphic Cards tend to use the next RAM standard before it becomes available for 'normal' RAM.)
Whenever you get any computer part, make sure you double and triple check what connection it uses, otherwise you'll go to put it in and it wont fit.
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| March 15, 2011, 03:59 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: XP
GGEeezzz Mooant Its about time you steeped in. lol
What the hell took you so long?
The newer versions of Linux is becoming more user friendly.As Mac did.I do disagree with your statement regarding Mac being great primarily for video and audio editing. Although it is great for the home user that wants to do those things it has come a long way as far as for the average user. It also has much less problems therefor making it easier for people with less computer knowledge to have to deal with tech people for hours on the phone. If they do have an issue their support is great as well.
If you like windows you most make money from it somehow.lol
OMG I feel like I'm arguing with my family....What is the best OS? I just had this very conversation this afternoon and I hung up after the headache got too bad. I can't be in the middle when they start arguing because my eyes glaze over and my brain wants to explode when they get to technical. Bottom line is you have to look at your budget,your needs and be realistic.
If he is good with a little netbook then I get the impression his needs are limited. My kids could never use a netbook with all they do these days.I don't think they could have even used a netbook when they were younger and in high school. I do have one still in high school she might be able to get away with one but not for long.
Mooant, You definitely seem to have more knowledge than most I have come across on here regarding computers so I say stay close so when we need help we can just grab you.lol
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| March 15, 2011, 04:23 |
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Mooant
41 / male
New Britain, Connecticut, US
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Re: XP
I'll be honest here... I like Windows for one reason, and one reason alone: Gaming.
In order to game on a Mac or Linux, you either have to wait until the developer happens to take the time to port the game over, and most of the time they don't, or you have to run the game in a windows shell inside of mac or linux. Either option sucks.
It is true that lately both OSes are getting better for the average user, but their origins still lie in the strengths that I listed out, and as such, still have those major strengths. Macs have the reputation of being great for video and audio editing, so when they design new macs they make sure that the design still supports those features on even the worst model.
The lines of the past are definitely getting blurred.
And it took me so long to chime in as I always hate arguing with people trying to save an old computer. Its old, let it die!
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| March 15, 2011, 04:58 |
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newbie1011
62 / female
The Shore, New Jersey, US
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Re: XP
There are times I wanted to help my old computers die and just kick them across the room.lol
I had a boss throw one across a room and down the stairs. Then walked into the general managers office and said. "The computer finally dropped dead completely. Now can I order the new one? lol
As for the Mac what is it about people saying that all the time. I put my sons Mac in the hands of my mother (In her 70's and somewhat computer average...LOL)She does what most do.She emails, video conferences, puts her recipes on it, stores her pictures ,checks out yout*** , researches and googles everything.She even and designs and sends cards on occasion.The only thing she doesn't really do is play games that require a real graphics card and all the crap like the games my kids play. She had no problem with the Mac. Most programs are written for Mac and PCs these days and at the colleges Mac has now passed PCs. So I just don't get why people still say that they are not great unless you are into video and music editing.I don't know that much about the gaming issues because my kids do most of the gaming on the gaming consoles (Xbox, Playstation etc.)I really am curious what I am missing or is it just the old reputation that makes most people still feel that way?
My son just said games are an issue at times. He also said more and more people are into Linux these days. I know my other son (Computer science kid) is big time into Linux trying to convince me to switch over to it.lol Of course that's when he isn't playing with his macbook or ipad.lol
He let me have the ipad when I was in the hospital a few months ago . It is cute I have to admit. I just couldn't believe I had to have a heart attach for him to let me play with it.It's normally under a strict don't touch rule.lol
By the way she has already said he next computer will be a Mac.
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| March 15, 2011, 05:27 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: XP
QUOTE (Mooant @ March 15, 2011, 03:59)Yea... There's SDRAM, then DDR RAM, DDR2 Ram, and DDR3 RAM. DDR5 RAM should be coming out soon, if it isn't out already.
(protip: Graphic Cards tend to use the next RAM standard before it becomes available for 'normal' RAM.)
Whenever you get any computer part, make sure you double and triple check what connection it uses, otherwise you'll go to put it in and it wont fit.
Yup, found that out.
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| March 16, 2011, 04:46 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
You bet, Mooant is the one we call on when we have tech questions, he's always stepped up, never let us down.
He's also the man for biology(what specific field is that, Moo?) anyway, he's gonna find a cure for something someday, and Moo...come April 1st, do not forget us and thank you for last year's Bacon Bombs.
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| March 18, 2011, 22:39 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
JesseJames, he's another one that can be very helpfull with the computer stuff.
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| March 24, 2011, 11:34 |
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Mooant
41 / male
New Britain, Connecticut, US
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Re: XP
Damn Chazzy... Now I got to think of some good April Fools thing...
Although, on the internet, April Fools is always Kevin Bacon Day...
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| March 25, 2011, 02:35 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: Re: XP
QUOTE (Mooant @ March 25, 2011, 02:35)Damn Chazzy... Now I got to think of some good April Fools thing...
Although, on the internet, April Fools is always Kevin Bacon Day...
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| March 25, 2011, 16:24 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
The "stock" 80 GB drive has been working ok. [it's a Toshiba so I don;'t expect much] I added the 2 512 MB RAM and that definately helped. I think it needed that since I bought it.--hehe
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| April 24, 2011, 02:32 |
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Mooant
41 / male
New Britain, Connecticut, US
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Re: XP
Actually, Toshiba hard drives are pretty top notch. They're pretty big in electronics, especially for making stuff that will last the normally expected shelf life, even in abusive conditions. To give you an idea of their quality, the military mainly uses Toshiba computers out in the field (obviously specially made for combat conditions...).
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| April 24, 2011, 05:38 |
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User no longer registered.
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Re: XP
I haven't had that good luck with Toshiba. This puter when new [2002] went thru 3 of them. Thankfuly under warranty. The last one lasted for about 'till a ouple months ago.
The Acer I bought also has Toshiba hard drive. It's shown signs of problems already too. After 2 months.-----
I've been amazed how much difference in performance the extra RAM made.
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| April 24, 2011, 21:28 |
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