PC Pals Forum
Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: shellyo1o on March 19, 2004, 13:45
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;D Hi
I have been reading your forums for a few days, and they are very interesting and friendly, so I thought maybe someone could give me some advice.
I have a pc running xp home, xp2700+, 120gb hd, G force 4, with 2 x 256mb DDR ram.
I want to add more memory, and another hard drive, but i am confused as to the make of memory i can use. my current sticks are 256mb ddr 333 cl2.5, I have three slots on my motherboard, but i'm unsure if i can use all three, (two are in use at the moment).
I don't mind totally replacing the sticks I have, but again, i'm not sure what to replace it with.
I use my pc for games, internet and watching movies.
I usually have 2 or 3 things going on at once, which is causing a slow down, so I think more memory is the way to go, but if anyone has any other ideas please throw them at me. I have upped my virtual memory, which has helped slightly, but as this is taken from my hd, i'm not keen on that either.
Also, if i add another hard drive and more memory will i need to change anything else, like power supply or fan. I'm not at home right now so i can't tell you what i have in that respect.
Sorry for the long post, hope it makes sense.
Thanks
Michele ;)
BTW i'm not very tech minded, so any answers in plain english if poss! ty
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Hi Michele and :welcome: One of our techies will help you with your problem very shortly. Thanks for your nice comments. ;D
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Hi Shelly, and (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apax34.dsl.pipex.com%2Fsmileys%2Fwelcome.gif&hash=05644ab4fbfa7c9585f756e9a79aab0a53d0e346)
For the memory, you could do a lot worse than pay a visit to www.crucial.com. (http://www.crucial.com/uk/index.asp) As long as you know the make and model of your motherboard, they will tell you what memory you can use. If you don't know the details of your motherboard, you could download Belarc Advisor (http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html), which is a free utility. This scans your PC and tells you what it's made of.
One of the techies should be able to help you with the rest of your query. :)
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Hi Michele,
The best thing as far as getting the correct RAM is to find the make and model number of your motherboard and check which ram is suitable from :
www.crucial.com
Theyre not the cheapest but arent much dearer than buying generic ram on line.
As far as having 3 slots goes, unless the spare slot is a different length,(for SDRAM, which is unlikely), it should take at least 512mbs in each slot so you could add another 256 or 512 in addition to youre 2 x 256 or relace them with 2 x 512 or even have 3 x 512 in it, possibly 1 gig in each too but I think that woud be a bit OTT ;)
Before you decide to go ahead please let us know which motherboard you are using, just incase it has some strange limitations on the amount and type of ram it can use.
You should be able to add another 120 gig hard drive as a slave easily enough to your existing one or possibly a bigger one depending on the BIOS of your motherboard.
Hope that this helps you a little :)
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Check the memory sticks for any manufacturer names.
Some types of memory will not work with others, which is a pain, but if you have no markings, then its more likely to be "generic" memory, so any "generic" 333Mhz 2.5CL sticks would be fine (2.5CL is standard for this type of memory, and is nothing special - your 333Mhz is the important bit here).
Your mainboard may only be able to accept a max amount of memory, but I would suggest with the speed of the CPU, the mainboard should accept at least 3 x 512 sticks.... another 256 stick to bring you to 3 x 256 should be fine.
Hard drive is no problem, providing that you only have 3 "drives" (or less) already (DVD/CD/CDRW/HDD - the floppy, if standard, doesn't count). If you already have 4 drives, then you would have to configure a special port, called RAID, to accept the newer drive...
all in all, I would say its probably going to be fine! Depending where you are in the world, goods usually come with a "testing" period - basically you have to see if the product is suitable for your needs. Some stores say this doesn't apply to memory, but it does. If you buy from a small local store, get them to write the return policy on the invoice. Usually you have 7 - 14 days in the UK.
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Thank you Sandra & Simon & Ket.
The memory i have must be generic.
I have d/l and run the advisor - very useful, but i don't understand all the info, maybe you can help.
Processor (is this the chip?)
2.15 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Main Circuit Board (is this the mobo?)
board: nVidia-nForce
Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 09/24/2003
Drives
Memory modules
384 Megabytes Installed Memory (why is this only 384, not 512?)
Slot 'A0' has 256 MB
Slot 'A1' has 256 MB
Slot 'A2' is Empty
Also, has anyone got any thoughts on ddr2?
Thanks again.
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I have tried crucial.com, but i can't find anywhere to put the motherboard model, only the pc make and model, which i don't know.
What i'd like to know is if i could use faster ddr, and replace the 333 with maybe 400, or ddr2?
Thanks again.
Michele
;)
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Select the manufacturer of your motherboard from the drop down menu, then it will ask you which product line, so select 'Motherboard', and go from there. :)
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Thanks Simon, but I don't know the make of the mother board. :-[
I have put the information I got from the advisor in a previous post, but i'm still hanging out for someone to explain most of it to me :-[ :-[.
Sorry for being a pain, and thank you again.
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OK, in the absence of a techie, perhaps you'd like to try something else? If you download AIDA32 from here (http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Reviews/r847.html), it should definitely give you the name and model of your motherboard. It does the same sort of thing as Belarc, but in much more detail. :)
Sorry you haven't had a reply sooner, but we've had some server problems which prevented many of us getting access to the forum. This was entirely out of our control, but hopefully it's now fixed.
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Memory modules
384 Megabytes Installed Memory (why is this only 384, not 512?)
It is probably becuse you have an onboard graphics card which must be 128mbs and that is using the extra 128mbs out of the 512 mbs total leaving you with 384 mbs available the rest of your PC to use :)
The only thing that I can find so far about the board that Belarc says you have is that it appears to be an MSI one.
http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_content.asp?id=msinforce&page=1&cookie%5Ftest=1
This article was over 2 years ago so there may be some more now as well as that one.
If you try the program that Simon has suggested, hopefully it will narrow the choices down a little.
The other way would be to actually open the case and see if you can see a name and model number and possibly a revision number printed on the motherboard itself :)
Edited to add :
Apparently that chipset is also used in some ASUS mobos too so we definately need you to run the other program or to see if you can identify it by opening the case :(
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Thanks for the replies, I ran the other program and got this:
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 09/24/2003-nVidia-nForce-6A61BBK9C-00
Motherboard Name Unknown
Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type DEC Alpha EV6
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 166 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 333 MHz
Bandwidth 2664 MB/s
I have checked on the motherboard itself, but there are no names or codes on it anywhere.
:(
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Not having much luck here are we? :-\ Perhaps one of our techies can ID the motherboard from that info?
Have you had the machine from new, Shelly? Where did you buy it? Is it by any chance a Time or a Tiny?
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I bought the machine new last year, and yes, its a time computer.
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OK, well I think Time / Tiny often use MSI boards, but it might be worth contacting them with the serial number of the PC (on the back), to see if they can tell you which motherboard you have. Just a warning, they will probably try to get you to let them do the upgrade, but once you have the right information, installing new memory is easy enough, unless you really want to pay them about £30 per hour to do it. :-\
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Michele can you pull the left side off (looking at it from the front) and see if you can see the make and model of the motherboard ?
MSI are usually quite well marked, usually between the PCI slots, thats the white ones, there will be 3 or 5 probably :)
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Thanks Simon, if this doesn't work I will contact Time.
I have found some I.D on the mother board, sorry, last time I asked my boyfriend to look and he said there wasn't any - doh!
It says KM185PRO on the motherboard, then underneath there is a barcode sticker with
(01)04710958850942(21)sn034000146.
Hope this is useful
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That crucial.com wouldn't work for me either, it didn't have the make of my puter on there.
But I put it in Offtek.co.uk and they have come up with a 128mb for 38.77 that sounds good, does anyone know this company??
Another shell looking for memory :o ;D
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Never heard of Offtek myself, but it seems quite a professional website, if that's anything to go by. :-\
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I've got a stick of 164 pin 128MB PC133 SDRAM CL3 memory pulled from a working PC I upgraded, it's non- machine specific
(https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sugrue.ndo.co.uk%2Fmemory.jpg&hash=289874838793ddcca71a0fd249276669a95f35a1)
And it's only £14 and thats including the postage, but I'll need an address and you know what happens when I get them ;D
I'll be back online in about an hour as I'm going to install XP Pro on my backup HDD
edit:
Shell if you definatly want new memory, CCL are doing it for £33.33 delivered http://www.cclcomputers.biz/acatalog/ (http://www.cclcomputers.biz/acatalog/)
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Am rather worried about giving my address to you tony! :lol:
I don't understand about these things but I think it said mine was 168pin pc130 anyway ?
Thanks for the link I'll have a look there too.
Have made up my mind I have to get one!! ;D
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PC130... I think you mean PC100 Shell, as there are three formats 66Mhz, 100Mhz and 133Mhz. By the way CCL don't stock the other older two variants, so forget that link.
Have you looked on Ebay ? I once sold some memory to a serving soldier stationed in the Trudoos Mountains in Cyprus
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Oh I could mean that yes.
NO, I don't really use ebay, I have a look now and then though, maybe I should try.
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I'm glad you got your memory problem sorted Michelle :)
But has anyone got anymore ideas on mine? ???
Thanks
Michele
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Sorry for the delay Michele, I havent been around much this last few days and still havent managed to identify your mobo from the information you have given us :(
As "Aida" identified that you have a 333 mhz effective clock and you have identified your current ram as 256mb ddr 333 cl2.5, then you can definately add another stick of 256mb DDR 333 cl 2.5 and probably one of 512 if you thought that you needed 1gb of ram.
My XP 2100+ seems to run quite happily on a stick of 512 and another of 256 making 768mbs in total :)
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Thanks Sandra, I'll bite the bullet and buy some non generic memory, what's the worst that can happen! :P
Thank you all for all your help, i'm sure i'll be back again.
Michele
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ops sorry for hijacking this thread by the way.
Just wanted to say I've finally ordered that memory oooh am excited now ;D
doesn't take much does it 8)
Wonder if I will know where to put it when it arrives! ??? ::) :-X
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Thats a silly thing to say Michelle with Rodders and Tony being about :o
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Get a teaspoon, and.... ;D ;D
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Wonder if I will know where to put it when it arrives! ??? ::) :-X
once you have unwrapped it Shell, you'll instintively know where it goes, as there will be one already in the adjacent slot.Now it might take a bit of easing in, but if you have nimble fingers you'll do just fine I sure. ::)
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A small toffee hammer might come in useful.... JOKING!!!! :whistle:
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easing in......... hmmm I can manage that! 8)
seriously tony, thats is what I'm hoping, but I've never taken the lid off that thing under the desk :lol:
Simon.......your helpfulness is ten fold this evening, about as must use as a chocolate teapot!
::) ;D
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All joking aside, it's dead easy Michelle. There are two white clips, one at at each end of the memory slot, which you push open to insert the stick. You then press gently, but firmly at each end of the stick, to slot it into place, and the two clips will close around the ends of the memory stick. Don't forget to earth yourself before you touch any of the components inside the case, by touching a radiator, or something similar. That's to eliminate static.
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Simon - you are close enough you know, for me to come down there and give you a big slap!!!
:lol:
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???
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Sorry that I cant find any pictures for you Michelle but this explains it simply, yours are DIMMS not SIMMS, ( they would be wouldnt they ;D ;D ;D ), so the relevant part is 4a for you :)
http://www.compukiss.com/sandyclassroom/tutorials/article433.htm
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I don't even try to understand them, Simon. ::)
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Found a pic for you, not very good but better than nothing :)
http://www.buildeasypc.com/hw/howto/instmemory.htm
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All joking aside, it's dead easy Michelle. There are two white clips, one at at each end of the memory slot, which you push open to insert the stick. You then press gently, but firmly at each end of the stick, to slot it into place, and the two clips will close around the ends of the memory stick. Don't forget to earth yourself before you touch any of the components inside the case, by touching a radiator, or something similar. That's to eliminate static.
No, all joking apart Shell, static electricity can nack components on your PC. See you could be carring a static charge, lot to do with man made fibers, they can create static electricity. And static always seeks a path to "Earth" [trust me am a time served sparks ]
So it your "charged" you could discharge any static built up in your body, via the PC components.
How to get around the potential problem:
Leave your PC lead still connected to the electrical socket [BUT WITH THE SWITCH ON THE WALL SOCKET TURNED OFF] it means all metalwork on the PC will be earthed. So if you touch it, any static charge will discharge to earth no problem.
PC techs use [or are supposed to use] a static dischage dumping bracelet. this attaches to the wrist via a length of wire, and is "earthed" to a metal part of the PC casing, again assuming the PC is earthed via the mains lead. You can make one with a length of wire yourself, a length of bell wire is good. I have one, but to be honest I just touch the metal case prior to working on it.
Static build up for some reason is more common in women than men.This is generally considered to be because women wear more layers of synthetic clothing then man. So it is considered best pratice, for females to install components whilst naked, thus removing any possobility of a static discharge taking place.
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Static build up for some reason is more common in women than men. This is generally considered to be because women wear more layers of synthetic clothing then man. So it is considered best pratice, for females to install components whilst naked, thus removing any possobility of a static discharge taking place.
There's soooo many places we could go with that, if this was in the DZ! (https://www.pc-pals.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.apax34.dsl.pipex.com%2Fsmileys%2Fheehee1.gif&hash=4cedfc4d873e04d55bdbc11d35d26a65d327e957) :baad:
I wonder if it's also because wimmin are always brushing their hair? Of course, before anyone else says it, I don't have that problem. ::)
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Oh I see now what you are on about!!! Sorry Simon I'll take back the slap.
I won't be doing it naked though :lol:
I could just wear the crutchless knickers though if you like. :o
Thanks everyone it does look simple enough for even me to do.
Its not arrived yet :lol:
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Something arrived today in the post but as I was out and too late to pick it up I have to wait til tomorrow to see what it is. Could be one of two things!
Bloody post, someone had a bright idea to change first post and second post delivery to one delivery (we now call poxy post) which is now always too late, I use to catch the first one! >:(
My mornings have never been the same...... I miss the postie 8) :P
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Bloody post, someone had a bright idea to change first post and second post delivery to one delivery (we now call poxy post) which is now always too late, I use to catch the first one! >:(
My mornings have never been the same...... I miss the postie 8) :P
Well I suppose if your used to getting your flaps rattled at a certain time, change can take some getting used to. :)
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Some months ago we had a letter from the Post Office to say that our second post was to be discontinued. What second post?? We have only ever had one post each day! It used to arrive at around 8.30 am but now it often doesn't turn up until 3.30 in the afternoon. :'(
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Well I suppose if your used to getting your flaps rattled at a certain time, change can take some getting used to. :)
:pmsl: :o :-X ;D ;D ;)
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Hey!!!
I did it, its in ;D ;D
Belarc said
256 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'M1' has 128 MB
Slot 'M2' has 128 MB
So it must be right
;D
Thanks Guys and Gals :-* :-*
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Yo Shell is a techie, Shell is a Techie ;D
Well done, I bet you'll never be out of your cage case from now on. ::)
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Yo Shell is a techie, Shell is a Techie ;D
Well done, I bet you'll never be out of your cage case from now on. ::)
:lol:
I'm not often allowed out Tony :P
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:welldone: Shell! Told you it was easy! :P ;D ;D
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Thanks :-)
I did think it was the wrong one actually cos I couldn't get it down as far as the other one, so it didn't slot in, and it looked different but I took the other one out and it was the same size, so I just pushed harder! hehe
Sound good doesn't it.
Edit due to tpoys