Here's where I show my computer dunce-ity

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I've just about had it with my computer. It's been running painfully slowly pretty much since I got it (which is almost two years ago), and doing all kinds of freezing/crashing things that make me want to just toss it out the window and buy a new one.

What pushed me over the edge was this weekend, when my parents were visiting, and I waited half an hour for the computer to wake up from sleep mode, and finally just manually restarted the damn thing (yay for Word's AutoRecovery). This should not be happening. The entire point of sleep mode is so that you can open the laptop and IT WORKS RIGHT AWAY so you don't have to wait for it to boot up every time. It's always, always slow waking up from sleep mode, but not usually that bad. On a normal day, though, even if the screen comes to life, it'll be a good ten to fifteen minutes before Firefox is usable without freezing, and Trillian always takes at least five minutes to open.

My dad was all, "Well, have you run defrag whatevers lately?" and started fiddling around with it. I don't actually know how I did this, since I barely know what that means, but apparently I have my computer set up to automatically do the defragmentation thing weekly, and it's still running like an eighty-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg.

I've decided the problem is Vista and RAM. I've been told that you need at least 2 GB of RAM for Vista to run properly, and my computer only has 1 GB. So... here are my questions for anyone more computer literate than I am. How much RAM should I get? Is the one additional GB going to be enough, or should I go for more? I don't do a whole lot with my computer - generally, Firefox, Trillian, and Word are pretty much it. I do store a lot on there - I have a crapload of music and some videos saved, but that's the hard drive (which is 120 GB) and shouldn't affect RAM, right? Two separate things?

Secondly, where should I get RAM? I can buy it off the Dell website (which is where I got the computer), but maybe it's cheaper to get it somewhere else (I found other websites that sell it, but I don't know if they're reliable). Is this idiot-proof, or am I better off going to a Best Buy or whatever where maybe they could install it for me?

Comments

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

First see how much RAM you can upgrade to. There's a max amount of slots on your computer. I'd recommend upgrading to the max, if possible. My comp runs Vista w/ 3 GB of RAM, and I don't have much of any problems with it.

Buying through Dell is gonna be more expensive. I'd recommend shopping around. The main thing you need to keep in mind is that you're looking specifically for laptop RAM. It's different from standard desktop RAM. Also, you need to find out what type (DDR, DDR2, etc) it takes. Odds are, for the age it is, you need DDR2, but double-check on that.

Also, RAM is additive. See how many slots you have (if you have a laptop, you likely have two). And see what RAM sticks you already have. If you have two 512 MB RAM sticks, you'll need to buy 2 1 GB sticks to upgrade to 2 GB (which makes things more expensive, but that's done on purpose).

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The main thing you need to keep in mind is that you're looking specifically for laptop RAM.

Yeah... that's why Dell is tempting, because I can just look up my exact model and buy it. It is DDR2, I know that much.

How do I check how many slots/sticks I have?

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

The Best Buy website has a separate section for laptop RAM. Most places are good at labeling it.

And you can actually go to http://www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com) and do the system scanner tool thingy. It should give you the info on the slots and sticks (though I will bet anything you have 2 512 MB sticks. That's what my old laptop came with).

[next_to_normal]

Cool. I tried the scanner thingy, and you were spot on - two 512s, and it recommended replacing them with two 1 GBs.

Now the real question is whether I'm brave enough to install it myself, lol.

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

*iz computer geek* :)

I'd actually say it's easier to install RAM into a laptop than a desktop. You should be able to just open up a compartment on the bottom of your comp and pop the chips in. Your owner's manual should tell you where the RAM compartment is. Much easier than opening up the CPU unit of a desktop.

[alwaysjbj.livejournal.com]

Huh, how about that...your laptops must be made differently over there...here you have to completely remove the case to do any work on a laptop and even the computer repair shops don't like doing them...in fact many won't touch a laptop. The one I go to charges $90 just to crack the case, that's before they do any other work.

[gabrielleabelle.livejournal.com]

Might depend on the manufacturer, too. I'm most familiar with Dell comps, cause that's what I always get. So I can say with great confidence that a Dell laptop will have an easy-access compartment for the RAM. All you'll need is a screwdriver.

If she had another type of laptop, I wouldn't be so sure.

Now replacing anything else on a laptop is just pure hell. And forget about upgrading your graphics card. Just ain't gonna happen. *mourns old laptop with the failed graphics card*

[urania-calliope.livejournal.com]

I am a Mac user but I imagine, just as on Mac, you will save a TON of money if you install the RAM yourself. I installed extra RAM on my new Mac and saved something in the neighborhood of $100. There are a lot of helpful (sometimes with pictures!) walk-throughs online to aid with this. Honestly, if I could do it (I am pretty basic in my knowledge of computers) you can. :)

[next_to_normal]

Oh, sure, rub it in, lol. Seriously, I am a total Mac convert - had one for six years and loved it to death (quite literally, in fact, although technically my parents killed it). Problem was, I got it for free, and couldn't afford a new one when it came time to replace it. But this most recent bout with Vista/Dell has pretty much convinced me it's worth the extra money. I'm just trying to hold out until I've gotten my money's worth on this one before I go buying another new computer.

[urania-calliope.livejournal.com]

Sorry. :P Mac is all I know since it's what I grew up with.

[alwaysjbj.livejournal.com]

As far as I'm aware playing with the insides of a laptop is not for the faint of heart...better to take it to a relaible computer repair shop and get them to do it for you.

Installing new bits in a PC is easy, but laptops are a whole different thing. And even with more RAM a laptop will always run slower (considerably so) than the equivilent specs in a PC.

And it might not be the RAM, it could be that you have an older (slower) processor... again, ask at the computer shop (or shops, if you have the time...it doesn't hurt to get at least a couple of different quotes), they can advise you.

It might be simpler in the long run to backup the files you want to keep and get your hands on a copy of XP

[next_to_normal]

The processor can't be that old - I only bought the computer two years ago. It's an AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-58 1.9GHz, which means very little to me, lol, but from what Google says, is pretty much middle of the pack as far as processors go. Like I said in my post, I don't really do anything beyond basic programs, so I shouldn't need a terribly high-quality processor to manage it.

I've considered downgrading to XP - in fact, I almost chose that option when I bought the computer, but I thought it was ridiculous to pay MORE for an older OS. At this point, though, I don't really mind Vista as an OS - I just want it to run faster.

[alwaysjbj.livejournal.com]

I wasn't suggesting it was an old processor, just possibly a little slow for Vista, that's all? LOL Means nothing to me either. I have Vista on my PC and have no problems with it (except for the occasional program that it won't talk to--usually other Microsoft programs lol). But I do know that it is renowned for running slow and thought that getting your hands on a copy of XP might solve your problem for you without having to go to the expense of upgrading the computer.

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This may seem weird, but... I don't actually know anyone who has a copy of XP, lol. I don't, and my parents don't - we went right from Windows 98 to Vista, since I had a Mac in between - and most of my friends have Macs (the result of going to college on an all-Mac campus, lol, we all bought the same laptop).

It looks like the upgrade will only cost $40 if I do it myself, and probably around $90 if I get someone to install it for me. They say that upgrading memory is the cheapest way to increase performance, and I expect to get a couple more years out of this computer at least.

[rahirah]

I have a copy of XP. I intent to skip Vista and go directly to Windows 7.

[next_to_normal]

Yeah, I figured there'd be someone online who had it.

What it comes down to is that I really just don't want to downgrade. I'm not thrilled with Vista (given the choice, I'd go back to a Mac), but I don't find it any worse than XP - the only difference is that I've used XP in work, where I have an IT department to fix everything.

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

I don't actually know anyone who has a copy of XP

You know me. :-) I never bothered to upgrade from XP, and I've no intention of doing so... by the time I need to change computers I expect Windows 7 to be out...

[next_to_normal]

Yeah, I figured there'd be someone online who had it.

What it comes down to is that I really just don't want to downgrade. I'm not thrilled with Vista (given the choice, I'd go back to a Mac), but I don't find it any worse than XP - the only difference is that I've used XP in work, where I have an IT department to fix everything.

[clawofcat.livejournal.com]

I have XP! And like rahirah and stormwreath, I don't intend to get Vista, but will wait for Windows 7. My laptop is 4 years old and hasn't given up the ghost yet, so I figure it can hold on until then.

Everyone I know that's run Vista has had nothing but problems with, unfortunately. And my college friends were pretty evenly split between PCs and macs. It was a PC campus, btw.

As for this weekend in DC, I'm having issues finding a hotel for $100 or less a night. Any recommendations? Also, would you be up for spending time with Andrew, Gus and I or would you prefer something more one on one?

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I'm not a Vista enthusiast by any means, but I really don't get all the hate. I was bitching and moaning when I first got it, but after using it for a while, I've found it to be no worse than XP. I'll upgrade my RAM so it runs faster, but that's not Vista's fault; it's something that would happen on any computer where the specs don't meet the OS requirements.

And yeah... hotel in DC under $100? Good luck. When I used to come here for work, we'd get excited if we managed under $250. If you want something that cheap, you'll have to go out to the suburbs. I'd say Rosslyn is probably your best bet - there's quite a few hotels within walking distance of the Metro (I think we stayed at the Holiday Inn there).

In the city, I've stayed at the GWU Inn, which is nice and pretty reasonable for downtown.

As for spending time, I wouldn't mind meeting Andrew and Gus, but it'd be nice to get some one on one time, too.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I upgraded the memory in my iMac. I just bought the memory at Frye's rather than the Apple store. It was a little nerve wracking because I'd never removed the casing on the computer before (first generation iMac), but the instructions were easy to follow even for this complete technophobe.

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Heh, yeah, that's the part I'm worried about... I don't want to break anything.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I was sure I was going to stupidly short everything out. I'm sure it' was hysterical to watch. There was a real slow motion action on everything, and I kept making sure I was grounded! Fortunately, i was alone in the house at the time. I've since bought a bigger hard drive for my TiVo and successfully installed it with some hand holding from my husband (just needed for brute force - those plugs need heft!).

[stormwreath.livejournal.com]

successfully installed it with some hand holding from my husband

That's actually sensible, as long as your husband is properly earthed. :-) Pour a bucket of water over him and tell him to hold onto a radiator while you hold his other hand...
;-)

not so random commenter

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

I recently got a new computer because my old one was doing very similar things...like taking forever to wake up from sleep mode...I tried everything to fix it and nothing helped.

Re: not so random commenter

[next_to_normal]

That's not good... what kind of computer was it? Hopefully this is an easy fix, since it's not an old computer.

Re: not so random commenter

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

Mine was a dell, I had had it for maybe 3 years...I just don't think they make things to last anymore :0(

Re: not so random commenter

[next_to_normal]

Mine's a two-year-old Dell.

It seems like there are lots of people who will just go out a buy a new computer every year or two years or so, just to have the latest model, so maybe they don't care if things last anymore. I, on the other hand, don't think I've gotten my money's worth until I've had the computer a good 5 years, lol.

My last laptop was a Mac that lasted 6 years, and my parents had a desktop they kept for 7 years, lol. It still ran Windows 98!

Re: not so random commenter

[rowanda380.livejournal.com]

I agree, they think people will want to get rid of it after two years, but I am like you. I want it to last and I will use it until it falls apart.
They used to make sturdy computers, just like they used to make cars that lasted as well.

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

RAM is there to buffer talk between the CPU and hard drive, so topping out your motherboard when you have Vista is a good idea. Also, you can defrag every day, it doesn't hurt anything. Do it every time you save something in a program. You'll also want to clear the temporary files through Disc Cleanup (not sure if it has the same name in Vista). They bog a system down big time. I clear those every time I go online. If installing the RAM doesn't really help, I'd suggest talking to a tech about possible problems that might be hiding in there.

[next_to_normal]

Also, you can defrag every day, it doesn't hurt anything.

Good to know, if I remember how to do it. :) I think it was more surprising that the thing had been defragged ever, lol.

Just went through Disk Cleanup and cleared out some stuff, we'll see if that helps.

[caromiofic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the file system behind all the Windows OS's now gets more efficient the more you defrag (to a point), so you can repeat it over and over until the diagram stops looking plaid. The faster your hard drive, the faster it'll get it done.