Advice needed on upgrading this pc ?
Justmadeit
Posts: 7,512 Forum Member
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Hi, can anyone advise on how i can get this pc to perform better ? Its fairly old
Its an acer aspire L 100, it has a AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core processor, and 1gb of memory, other than get another pc, can i buy more memory to make it perfrom better ? How much memory will the mb take and what type do i need ?
When my friend gave it me it was running vista, but running slowly, we couldnt find vista disc so i did a full format and put xp proffesional on, its not running so great and locks up sometimes and makes a noise inside the case when its locking up, like its working hard, then i have to reboot. I did get a vista disc off ebay, not tried it yet, the windows vista jey is on teh side of the mini tower unit. Anyway, is more memory etc gonna help things ?
This is some info below on it if this helps ?
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name J
System Manufacturer Acer
System Model Aspire L100
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 95 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2410 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 02/06/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name J
Time Zone GMT Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 17.26 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.26 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
Its an acer aspire L 100, it has a AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 3800+ Dual-Core processor, and 1gb of memory, other than get another pc, can i buy more memory to make it perfrom better ? How much memory will the mb take and what type do i need ?
When my friend gave it me it was running vista, but running slowly, we couldnt find vista disc so i did a full format and put xp proffesional on, its not running so great and locks up sometimes and makes a noise inside the case when its locking up, like its working hard, then i have to reboot. I did get a vista disc off ebay, not tried it yet, the windows vista jey is on teh side of the mini tower unit. Anyway, is more memory etc gonna help things ?
This is some info below on it if this helps ?
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name J
System Manufacturer Acer
System Model Aspire L100
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 95 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2410 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG, 02/06/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name J
Time Zone GMT Standard Time
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 17.26 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.26 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys
0
Comments
Ideally you should get rid of XP and go for Win7, but realistically the cost of that plus the RAM probably outvalues the system IMO. I guess it all depends on what you are looking to achieve from this. Linux may be one option depending on your requirements are, or you could put the money towards a new system (which would arguably give you more of a performance boost for the money).
How much of a difference would an extra 1gb of memory make ?
Its sluggish at the mo, i have a dual core processor i think, are they any good ?
As for buying Windows 7, it's going to get expensive. You might want to use the money to save up for a new PC.
I have an X2 CPU running XP for old games. It really is dog slow, the RAM will make a difference but I'd repurpose it with Linux then at least if it does have a fault you can replace it.
Do i just need a stick of 1gb ddr2 memory to add to what i have ? will that be compatible for the motherboard ?
That's why you need to use the scanner on the Crucial website. It will tell you exactly what you need.
http://uk.crucial.com/gbr/en
I would say it is quite a useable machine but worth trying to put Vista back on if you have the CoA.
Ok, just did the scan, these were the results, below. Is it saying ive got 2 sticks of 512 in and a maximum of 2gb is possible ? So id need to buy 2x1 gb sticks of memory right and take out the 512 ones ?
-
Maximum memory: 2048MB
Slots: 2 (2 banks of 1)
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
512MB
DDR PC2-5300
512MB
DDR PC2-5300
Memory or DRAM is the "working" memory of the computer. It's used to store data for programs (sequences of instructions) on a temporary basis.
There is a possibility you would be able to buy it cheaper elsewhere but if you are in any doubt then stick to Crucial as they will refund in the event that it doesn't work with your system after running the checker.
it says
CT638322 - 2GB kit (1GBx2) DDR2 PC2-5300 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.8V 128Meg x 64
£28.79 inc. VAT
Is it just any ddr2 ram i need or does it need to be pc2 5300 after it ?? and does it need to have also the 128Meg x 64 bit after it ??
Will this do ?? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/251716112924?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
That's fine, apart from the fact it's a single 1GB DIMM, whereas you need two.
-edit-
Beaten to it by the Stig
Maybe THIS page ?
The Aspire L100 appears to be a small form factor media centre thing, in which case regular desktop RAM is unlikely to fit (and this is what Crucial seem to believe based on the results).
But this machine obviously has a hardware fault "...locks up sometimes and makes a noise inside the case when its locking up"
That really needs to be dealt with before spending money.
I disagree, having ran XP Pro with 1GB and now 2GB the increase in performance is noticeable and looking at OP's stats ..........
his available available physical memory is down to 17.26 MB whereas I have 1.19GB so his computer is going to be using the page file as RAM a lot more than mine.
http://s22.postimg.org/7k1blefzl/RAM.png
The locking up and noise maybe the hard drive being 'thrashed'.
Fair point that. Run SeaTools, OP. This will confirm the health status of the hard disk.
Perhaps give it a whirl with Ubuntu for an evening's surfing and a few Youtube vids.
See if it's any different. (Firefox browser is pre-installed and shortcut on the Desktop)
(Make a Live Bootable CD or USB Flash stick and boot but don't make a full install)
If the the PC does prove worth keeping I'd suggest 2GB and Vista (with SP2)
For future reference: If the License sticker is readable, you don't need to buy a Vista disc/license from eBay, you can make your own.
Thanks. I downloaded that and did the test, not sure if it scanned the harddrive, but i didnt have a usb drive plugged in yet this mentions usb, generic card reader ?,, anyway this is a screen shot of the result, if you can advise ?
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k255/stin74/drive.jpg