OMG! 85 quid for upgrade to memory!

TwistedPsycho

Surely re-formatting and re-installing is the last thing to consider rather than the first? For all we know the computer might be trying to run Windows XP on 256MB RAM.

closed

no, it's the first, because it costs nothing, and windows xp runs fine with 256mb

TwistedPsycho

and we are assuming of course that the OP has backed everything up prior to reformating... which if they read your original remarks and have gone to reinstall windows they will ahve lost by now.....

closed

are we to presume you are in the mood for an argument?

if they are buying ram because it's slow, it's something to consider, as we don't know the reason and have no clarification sofar, it's guesswork

TwistedPsycho

Not at all. I just think that your answer was lacking in preventing the technologically unsavvy from making mistakes that could cost them their valuable files.

Your answer was also flawed in that we do not know the specification of the computer which might highlight that re-installing Windows will have an absolutely minimal effect.

As much as some of your other answers have been informative, logical and helpful, I feel that on this occasion it has not been.

EDIT: Having just noticed your edit to your post I think its prudent to point out that we do not know anything, so stomping ones feet and suggesting I want an argument because I pointed out the effects your rather brash "lets wipe the lot and start again" first comment is about as stupid as just telling people to reformat their system without taking pre-cuations.

I take it you did not read

as far as reinstalling windows, she bought this revamped pc off Fleabay a few yrs back & has no reinstallation CD to run

from the original poster.

At least if you are just going to answer "reformat everything" remind them to ensure their documents are backed up first, or we will be recommending document recover programs next week.

closed

If necessary, I'll elaborate if and when the op responds.

OP - Not having the cd isn't a show stopper, you could borrow one, use recovery partition, or tweak the existing installation

key questions are machine model, installed ram, operating system, commit charge from task manager, and why do you want to upgrade the ram - if it's slowness post a hijackthis log

Hammyman

closed wrote: »

no, it's the first, because it costs nothing, and windows xp runs fine with 256mb

Indeed it does but only until you start to run something. There's a reason I do not sell anything with less than 1GB of RAM in nowadays.

Hammyman

virgin_moneysaver wrote: »

trying to sort out my sis pc & said I would upgrade her memory for her for Chrimbo (mine upgrade cost me about 35 from crucial) - went onto crucial website & ran the system scan & its 85 quid - does anyone know of a cheaper option than crucial??

No. Crucial are quite competitive once postage is taken into account. If its an old machine, it'll be using older type of memory thats not really manufactured in any real quantities anymore so costs far more to make and hence is more expensive to buy.

closed

Clean xp install with antivirus and service packs uses about 100-120MB, which leaves plenty of room for something. 50 somethings at once maybe not, but for average use, it's fine, and fast, just need to choose a lightweight AV (avast), and keep an eye on the startup bloat.

fiddiwebb

does anyone know of a cheaper option than crucial??

Ebay if you are look for memory that is possibly no longer manufactured for older PCs.