Noob alert! PC specs questions

[Bar0n]

Are you fscking with me?

When in doubt, fsck it.

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fsck)

 

[SonnyK]

You would be surprised at how easy it is to run some of the more user friendly flavours of Linux these days. Ubuntu is probably high up there given the amount of support it has not just from its maintainer Canonical, but also from other companies. You'll often software vendors making available specific Ubuntu versions of their software.

Besides for what she likely uses the computer for (word processor, email, Internet browsing) most major versions of Linux can run a lot of the same programs you get on Windows (Firefox, Chrome etc.). So the change isn't as big as people think it is. It was big 10 years ago but these days Linux and Windows are both quite user friendly.

If it were me I would attempt to install Linux on a machine before tossing it. That way I may at least still be able to salvage it as Linux usually requires far less resources than Windows. It isn't an approach for everyone though. You need to be prepared to get used to the new interface.

I hear you, it makes a lot of sense. I'm actually leaning towards Linux out of curiosity but in Mother's case I don't think it would be a good idea to rock the world she's gotten use to.

You don't need to consider it right away though. You have time until the last nail is driven into XP's coffin

We've spoken about this kind of talk Joe Black. Please, for Mother's sake.

 

[Bar0n]

You know what, linux would run just fine on that old hardware with 1.5GB of RAM. Virusses would be a thing of the past and it would be as stable as schite! If she needs ms office you can run it via wine or alternatively use wps/kingston office (or libre office) and that pc would feel like a new one!

Debian-based Mint would be perfect.

 

[SonnyK]

Machine should already be responding better?

Anyway, make sure the RAM modules are seated properly (firmly in) and try to swap them around, obviously both while it is off lol.

MUCH faster superbird thx. I did play around with swopping around the modules. In the beginning only had the gig module in, in both slots. Still see it as 512mb. But this is fine, speed way better. Also uninstalled the Trend anti virus and added Avast.

 

[Dimpie (JIGSAW)]

So I have the 1 gig in primary and 512mb in secondary. Total registered is 960 mb

In idle physical memory reads;

Total 981
Available 597
Cache 348

Not picking up the 512MB ?

MUCH faster superbird thx. I did play around with swopping around the modules. In the beginning only had the gig module in, in both slots. Still see it as 512mb. But this is fine, speed way better. Also uninstalled the Trend anti virus and added Avast.

So you saying the 1Gb is reading as 512MB in either slot .... could it be that they tricked you in selling a 512MB and NOT 1024MB ??

 

[SonnyK]

In the meantime I'm backing up her files on external hd just in case the poo hits the fan next year. Anyway planning on getting her a new machine then.

Many thank you's for everyone's help and advice.

*noob out*

 

[SonnyK]

So you saying the 1Gb is reading as 512MB in either slot .... could it be that they tricked you in selling a 512MB and NOT 1024MB ??

No it's definitely a 1 gig module ( Kingston ). Using my noob skills of reasoning, I get the feeling that this motherboard can only accommodate a max of 1024mb, halving the 1 gig module. Might be wrong, maybe someone could shed some light.

 

[porchrat]

I hear you, it makes a lot of sense. I'm actually leaning towards Linux out of curiosity but in Mother's case I don't think it would be a good idea to rock the world she's gotten use to.

I knew a guy once who installed a bunch of skins to make his gnome desktop look like Windows XP. There were a few small differences but overall they are so similar these days that you could probably trick your mom into thinking she is running XP.

I agree though. My grandmother battles enough as it is to use Windows. Switching her to Linux would be disaster. I'd probably need to install an ssh server so I could login and deal with the messes she creates remotely instead of having to come around every second evening to put out the fires.

We've spoken about these type of comments Joe Black. Please, for Mother's sake.

LOL sorry let me rephrase that again: You don't need to consider it right away though. You have time until the pixies and unicorns come to take XP away to a wonderful farm where it has plenty of room to run and play and to not become obsolete ever.

I think I will actually be pretty sad to see XP go. While it started off a little shaky it matured into a stable OS that has given me so many years of stable service.

No it's definitely a 1 gig module ( Kingston ). Using my noob skills of reasoning, I get the feeling that this motherboard can only accommodate a max of 1024mb, halving the 1 gig module. Might be wrong, maybe someone could shed some light.

Doubtful. DDR2 motherboard should be able to address more than 1GB.

 

[SonnyK]

I knew a guy once who installed a bunch of skins to make his gnome desktop look like Windows XP. There were a few small differences but overall they are so similar these days that you could probably trick your mom into thinking she is running XP.

Ok that's good to know. I hate major adjustments and change, being a creature of habit and all.

LOL sorry let me rephrase that again: You don't need to consider it right away though. You have time until the pixies and unicorns come to take XP away to a wonderful farm where it has plenty of room to run and play and to not become obsolete ever.

Hehe, I knew you had heart , I knew it

I think I will actually be pretty sad to see XP go. While it started off a little shaky it matured into a stable OS that has given me so many years of stable service.

Same here, although I'm quite happy using Win 7 - no issues. Eight can wait.

 

[ponder]

Ok that's good to know. I hate major adjustments and change, being a creature of habit and all.

 

[sajunky]

I get the feeling that this motherboard can only accommodate a max of 1024mb, halving the 1 gig module.

You are quite right. It can be either limitation for the size of the module or the module is using newer chips not compatible with motherboard. It was a typical problem seeing half of the module size on PII motherboards with Intel 440BX chipset. BTW, these chipsets had maximum 256MB module size, definitely not your chipset, but story can be the same.
Some shed of light would bring reading motherboard manual. You can identify motherboard model number either from printing on the PCB, BIOS setup, or utilities extracting DMI data.