Author |
Message |
Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Saturday, May 24, 2008 - 9:19 pm
See? I knew I could lure Spongie out of hiding.

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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 7:39 am
OK, so here is the result of my scan. A screen cap of the memory and suggestions:
And, if further info is needed, HERE is the full result of the scan. So I understand that 256 is a size, not speed. But doesn't it affect speed in a way (at least, in the way I'm perceiving speed to be). Like, if a game I'm playing stutters and sputters, isn't it likely related to memory? I'm actually beta-testing a new game for a developer, and the sputtering is a big problem. And, each time I exit out of the game I get a warning about my virtual memory being too low. When I mentioned it on the beta-tester's forum, one of the fellows involved with the game development said adding more RAM to my PC would help a lot, and that it sounded like I was running out of memory. Wouldn't more RAM also help with pages loading quicker on websites? I'm on cable internet, and really I've seen little improvement from DSL. I figured it might have to do with memory.
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 7:54 am
in answer to your questions Who. YES YES and YES! you've already answered your questions yourself. and if you are beta testing games, i would do as i said before, which is choice #3 and add 2-1 gigs to the pair you already have.
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Bob2112
Member
06-12-2002
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 8:11 am
Yes, more memory will fix most of those problems. The web pages loading more quickly could be due to many other factors, so that may or may not get better, but should still benefit if you are currently using more than 512MB. Your pc needs at least DDR PC2700, which is the probably the speed of the memory that is already installed. You can add either PC2700 or PC3200 but your computer will run at the PC2700 speed. You CPU and clock speed is set for PC2700, so unless you were to hack and overclock your system, the faster memory does not make anything go faster. Sometimes the faster memory is cheaper than the slower memory. In you case the prices are the same. I would add the 2 1GB modules for $89.99, but you will still see most (maybe all) of the improvement with the 2 512MB modules for $53.99. Installing the new memory is fairly easy, but you can ask Herckleperckle for first time installer tips. I think the hardest part for her was figuring out how to open the case. She also did not snap the memory all the way in the first couple of tries, so the system did not initially come up. While your memory is coming, take some time to turn off the computer and open it up. Look around for the 4 memory slots, 2 of them will be populated. They may be next to each other or may have a slot in between. Leave those in place and just add the new modules to the open slots.
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Bob2112
Member
06-12-2002
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 8:36 am
Whoami: I was looking for a picture of the motherboard used in the Dimension 8300 and ran across this statement:The proprietary Dell 875P motherboard features a 3.06GHz Pentium 4 with an 800MHz FSB and Hyper-Threading technology, supported by 512MB of PC3200 (DDR400) memory. By using two 256MB memory sticks, the 875PE's dual-channel memory mode is enabled. Because of the case design, the layout of the dual-memory slots is a little unusual - two DIMM slots are in the conventional vertical position, while the other two are banked over almost flat against the motherboard. Here's the link, in case you want to read for yourself. This may be a picture of your motherboard:
I marked the memory slots and I would guess that you will find 1 module installed perpendicular to the board and the other installed almost flat. The 2 new modules will snap in next to these modules. Sometimes the angles slots can be a little tricky, especially in the case with the power supply and cables in the way. For sure, you can do it. You just need to take a look and see what you have. The article says the 8300 comes with PC3200 memory, so that conflicts with what crucial said. If you buy PC3200 then you won't have any problems.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 8:02 pm
Thanks for looking all of that up Spongie! That will be very helpful. And thanks also Landi and Juju for the advice! I've been around the inside of a computer before. When installing a sound card in my very first system, and then the failed memory one in my previous system (which I hope had more to do with compatability than my own efforts). So hopefully I'll be comfortable in this one. That slanted installation looks sort of intimidating. But maybe knowing about it in advance will keep me on my toes! Thanks again everyone!!
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Colordeagua
Member
10-25-2003
| Sunday, May 25, 2008 - 9:27 pm
No problems here. Still speedy.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, May 26, 2008 - 7:02 am
Who I also get those popup messages about low virtual memory, but I get them when I go into Facebook. I'm so glad you asked for advice on this. The advice here is VERY helpful to me too! So big thanks to y'all from me, as well.
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 9:06 pm
RAM is officially upgraded. So far, looks like I did everything right! Things are running so much smoother now. Haven't done a whole lot yet to notice how many things are better. But I did try that game I'm beta testing, and its smooth as silk. I think the Net is smoother/faster too. I also think I noticed the system booted up quicker as well. Biggest problem installing was having the strength in my hands to push the memory stick all the way in. It was actually bordering on painful for my somewhat weak hands. So, Mame, if you have weaker hands, you might want to ask for tips on how to push it in easier. Is there a tool or something that can be used to gain a bit of leverage or something? I was surprised how "clean" my tower was inside. Sure, it was dusty, and I blew out the dust with some canned air. But I've had this system for 5 years, and we live in a particularly dusty house, and also with the way Bomba sheds and all. I was really expecting to look a lot worse in there. When my old system had to be taken in to the "PC Doctor," that was one of the things he scolded me about. He said he vacuumed enough hair out of it to make a small cat. 
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Bob2112
Member
06-12-2002
| Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 9:46 pm
Yay! How much did you add? It must have far reaching affects because I think this page loaded faster for me and I also read it really fast. That's good RAM!
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 9:54 pm
I added 2G. Hey, that's pretty cool that the page loaded for you faster too. LOL. I didn't realize I had that much effect on the world. 
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Bob2112
Member
06-12-2002
| Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:29 pm
I open my computer case and I think I know where Bomba's fur ended up! Maybe I can email it back to you?
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 10:59 pm
LOL. Uh, that's ok. You can keep it. I have plenty here to spare! 
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 9:04 am
Yay RAM!! Bah-RAM-U! * . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . * (that's from the movie Babe)
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Ketchuplover
Member
08-30-2000
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 10:37 am
Now all youtube videos are unavailable to me 
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 10:48 am
hmmm... i seem to recall that conversation about 2 gigs of ram... i think it was... may 24th... hehehe! glad it's working for ya Who!
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 10:53 am
You know, it might be my imagination. But I swear that even my sound is better; more of a crisp clear sound. Could more RAM really affect that? Or maybe over the years the connection had loosened up a bit, and when I reconnected everything it was connected nice and snug.
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 4:51 pm
yes, it can affect it as it is what is making your system run. the memory isn't being used off your hard drive, and instead is where it is supposed to be.
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 7:39 pm
Who, congrats on the successful 2 gig upgrade! I also have weak hands, BUT dh is very strong. I have tiny dainty fingers and he had big mitts and lotsa muscle. LOL. Now I just have to get going and buy the danged RAM upgrade soon. I can't stand my system chugging along like this. Bleh.
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Sunday, June 01, 2008 - 9:48 pm
Okay, MB, so you can position the RAM, and Vinnie can finish RAMMING it in, so to speak. Bah-RAM-Ewe.
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Bob2112
Member
06-12-2002
| Monday, June 02, 2008 - 6:18 am
"When I nod my head, you hit it!" | |  |
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, June 02, 2008 - 8:23 am
ROFLMBO, Jooj! Yep, that's exactly how we do things around here!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFORs1HpKLY LOL Bob!
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Mameblanche
Member
08-24-2002
| Monday, June 02, 2008 - 9:22 am
Dang Jooj, not sure that link is working... it did for me, but now it seems stuck in a loop. 
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Juju2bigdog
Member
10-27-2000
| Monday, June 02, 2008 - 10:01 am
It is working. Choked me right up.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Monday, June 02, 2008 - 12:39 pm
A computer will not work at it's best unless the screen is clean. A free screen cleaner is available HERE.
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