h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

So here is my dilemma.

About two and a half years ago I bought a Toshiba Satellite P100-233 laptop, which of late has begun to run rather slowly. I've asked here at two computer shops about getting more RAM installed. One place told me I'd be wasting my time as I wouldn't see any real difference because there are other factors involved, the other place told me that more RAM would speed things up a lot.

Who do I believe?

Here are some of the specs:

Core Duo T2300E
512 MB + 512 MB Memory 533MHZ
80GB Harddisk drive (5400) SATEA
DVD – Super-multi drive (2 layer)
17 WXGA + trubrite TFT screen
56K Modem/Lan
W-Lan(802.11 A/B/G)/Bluetooth
MS Window SP MCE

I think that bumping the laptop up to 3GB RAM would cost approx 35 euros. Does that sound about right? Is it worth doing?



az

The step up from 1GB to 3GB is reasonably significant, particularly with a 1.6GHz processor. And, as you say, RAM is dirt cheap.

I would do a thorough registry clean, defrag, startup check and spare-program-uninstall first. They might make more difference, especially if you're not using any high-demand software.

B

It turns out I can only upgrade to either 2 or 4 GBs as there are two components and apparently they need to be the same. So, I couldn't have one 1 GB and the other 2GB. It would have to be 1+1 or 2+2.

Went back to the second computer shop this afternoon and was told I could get a deal on 2GBs of RAM for about 30 euros. 4 GBs would be close to 70 euros. Thinking it over.

The guy at the shop also suggested I get the OS reformatted and cleaned out. Of course, I don't know how to do this and can't afford to pay the guy another 40 euros to do it for me.

az

iirc, windows XP doesn't normally use RAM > 3.5Gb

You'll definitely notice the difference with 2Gb, but probably wouldn't see much advantage with the additional RAM up to 4Gb

Guys at shops always suggest re-installing windows OS. Easy money.

You can do it yourself, if your machine came with an XP MCE installation cd. Back up all your stuff to DVDs or another 'pooter before making the fresh install.

Of course, there may be other things going on, such as some malware or corrupt system file, but it may be more time-consuming hunting for those snarks...

(You thought I was going to suggest installing Debian GNU/Linux, didn't ya?)

The simple answer to whether you need to upgrade is ... it depends how much of the RAM you are currently using. If you're not fully using that 1Gb RAM, adding extra will make no difference. If you are, it will make a big difference.

This tutorial on Youtube will show you how ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94dEvszrflM

Make sure you check this in the middle of your normal PC usage ... i.e. with a few windows open. Rather than on first startup.

"The guy at the shop also suggested I get the OS reformatted and cleaned out. Of course, I don't know how to do this and can't afford to pay the guy another 40 euros to do it for me."

You really shouldn't need to do that on a laptop/PC that is two years old, unless you've been downloading/installing tons of stuff on it. As a previous poster said, do run some registry cleaning software (there's a free one called Eusing); and remove spyware etc.

BTW changing laptop memory is a *very* easy job. All you do is turn it over, unscrew a panel, slot in the new card, screw it up again.

Hijack This: http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis/download

Thanks for that video, BBS. It looks like I'm borderline and that getting more RAM would be a good idea.

"You thought I was going to suggest installing Debian GNU/Linux, didn't ya?"

Erm, yeah Tal. Because that advice is always so useful to me.

I've heard some disturbing things about Hijack This, but that was a couple of years ago or more.

Has anyone tried this free registry cleaner?
http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm


az

Eusing ... that's the one I use.

Also consider EasyCleaner from ToniArts which will do your registry and a whole number of other things like shortcuts, tmp files etc.

To me wiping your computer and starting again is usually the easiest option: takes about a day, and once it's done you don't have to worry about cleaning it up for a while. Your mileage may vary: I've never owned a laptop so it could be different.

1gb -> 2gb RAM sounds like a very good idea and will likely help you a lot.

"To me wiping your computer and starting again is usually the easiest option: takes about a day, and once it's done you don't have to worry about cleaning it up for a while."

I'd agree *if* the incumbent understands computers reasonably well. But if it's a case of having pictures and documents etc; and not knowing how to back them up, then it's a job for an 'expert'.

But realistically if the RAM is borderline, the upgrade will make the difference.

>>I've heard some disturbing things about Hijack This, but that was a couple of years ago or more. <<

Hijackthis doesn't actively do anything more than produce a plain text file listing possible malware locations.

It's true uninformed use of this can dangerous, since the removal of certain legitimate items found on the list can result in program malfunctions. That's why users are strongly advised to seek the help available on the hijackthis forum - http://www.hijackthis.de/en

~~~

Removing cruft from windows OS registry can help improve performance, as can hard disk defragmentation.

I've used EasyCleaner from ToniArts, and add my recommendation

You can also turn off certain system applications which you don't normally use. One of the better sites for advice on how to tweak your machine: http://www.blackviper.com/
Don't let the hackish name put you off. The guy really knows his windows onions!

~~~

1Gb RAM seems to be a 'sweet spot' for XP, under normal circumstances. 2Gb RAM will provide a slight, but noticeable, performance increase, especially with graphic-intense applications or multi-tasking.

~~~

As much as I've tried to avoid Vista, I had occasion recently to help set up wireless networking on a Vista-infected lappy. What a piece of ! Networking on an XP box is weird enough, but that thing was just this side of deranged!

~~~

Oh, and Debian 'Lenny' totally rocks!

Yes I have tried eusing reg cleaner and it's very good.

Okay, I bit the bullet and ordered 2x1= 2GB RAM, as my laptop has the dual RAM thing happening.

And just now the computer guy called and said he has received the 2GBs of RAM but it's all-in-one. He told me it would work just the same.

Is this true?

Or should I insist on getting 2x1?


az

RAM used to have to be in pairs, but unless your laptop is very, very old I doubt that will be the case for you.

Putting two of the same kind of RAM stick in you get dual channel, which doubles the memory bandwidth. The practical upshot of which is probably negligible, but should give you a bargaining chip if you wanted to haggle.

You could also put one of your old sticks in with the new one.

If you were getting 2x1Gb, you would have had a max memory of 2GB.

According to this link ... http://eu.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/product/Satellite-P100-233/117815/highlightOption/114607/#0 ... the laptop can take up to 4Gb.

If you're getting a single slot of 2Gb that leaves you the other slot free (which is preferable in my opinion). As BouncyBitInTheMiddle says, you can then try putting one of the old sticks in to make it 2.5Gb

If they don't work you should be able to eBay them to recoup a few euros!

or buy another 2 gig stick and put that in and use 4 gig.