Please help - computer at a virtual standstill!

SteveJH200

You may be right and I may be wrong. I did look up your computer specs and I'm sure it said you have the DDR memory and not DDR2. Another way to check is to download a handy little programme called 'Speccy' (google this) and once downloaded click on the section about memory and it will tell you which type.

The 2.8 CPU is okayish for basic use. If you have 4 memory slots then you can keep your current 2 x 512Mb of RAM

melbury

SteveJH200 wrote: »

You may be right and I may be wrong. I did look up your computer specs and I'm sure it said you have the DDR memory and not DDR2. Another way to check is to download a handy little programme called 'Speccy' (google this) and once downloaded click on the section about memory and it will tell you which type.

The 2.8 CPU is okayish for basic use. If you have 4 memory slots then you can keep your current 2 x 512Mb of RAM

The handbook says, quote:

"Memory type 400- and 533- MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM
Maximum memory 4Gb"

I don't currently have 2 x 512Mb, it is just 2 x 256Mb!

SteveJH200

melbury wrote: »

The handbook says, quote:

"Memory type 400- and 533- MHz DDR2 unbuffered SDRAM
Maximum memory 4Gb"

I don't currently have 2 x 512Mb, it is just 2 x 256Mb!

Sorry, my mistake - that will give you 1.5Gb then - a cheap upgrade for now!

melbury

SteveJH200 wrote: »

Sorry, my mistake - that will give you 1.5Gb then - a cheap upgrade for now!

Yes, but do you think the ones I have ordered - i.e. PC2-6400 800MHz DDR2 SDRAM - will work?

I don't really understand what the 6400 and 800MHz actually mean.

P.S. Should a router keep you online all the time? With the modem I used to disconnect if I was popping out, but have read that you shouldn't switch a router on and off.

SteveJH200

It should work okay. However, why didn't you order the recommended one from Crucial as you did a scan I presume? If your CPU is a P4 hyperthreaded then it will support 800MHz. Did you download 'Speccy' as I suggested? It will give you all the info.

Always leave a router connected - and especially the new one they are sending to you.

melbury

SteveJH200 wrote: »

It should work okay. However, why didn't you order the recommended one from Crucial as you did a scan I presume? If your CPU is a P4 hyperthreaded then it will support 800MHz. Did you download 'Speccy' as I suggested? It will give you all the info.

Always leave a router connected - and especially the new one they are sending to you.

Have only just found the Crucial site today, ordered the other type from Amazon yesterday. Perhaps it would be better to just return them to Amazon and start again.

Will try the Speccy download - thanks.

The new router arrived today and is connected, have to say it doesn't seem any faster than the old Speedtouch modem. It is a bit disconcerting that it stays connected to the internet all the time the computer is on - is this normal? I keep feeling that I should switch it off.

Have now done the Speccy download, but can't see anything to clarify about whether the 800MHz RAM would work. Where would I find this information? Thanks.

SteveJH200

Open Speccy and click on CPU. Please tell us the Name, Spec, Hyperthreading and Bus Speed. Click on RAM then click on Slots. Let us know what Type and the Max bandwidth of your current memory. To be honest I would use Crucial's scanning tool and order from them - at least you will be supplied the correct memory. There again the one you've ordered may work - it's your choice.

Repeat - don't turn the router off. It's normal to leave it connected but make sure your anti-virus and firewall are working okay and up to date.

melbury

SteveJH200 wrote: »

Open Speccy and click on CPU. Please tell us the Name, Spec, Hyperthreading and Bus Speed. Click on RAM then click on Slots. Let us know what Type and the Max bandwidth of your current memory. To be honest I would use Crucial's scanning tool and order from them - at least you will be supplied the correct memory. There again the one you've ordered may work - it's your choice.

Repeat - don't turn the router off. It's normal to leave it connected but make sure your anti-virus and firewall are working okay and up to date.

This is the Speccy report:

CPU
Intel Pentium 4 520
Spec: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4CPU 2.80GHz
Hyperthreading: Supported, Enabled
Bus Speed: 199.5MHz
Rated Bus Speed: 798.0MHz

RAM
Slots 4 (2 in use 2 free)
Memory: DDR2 (It doesn't mention bandwidth!)

Having thought about it I am going to send the ones ordered from Amazon back and re-order from Crucial - best to get the right ones.

I won't turn the router off, but is it normal for it to get quite warm? I didn't realize it had to stay on all the time, I keep wanting to disconnect from the internet when I leave the computer:)

SteveJH200

Thanks - a hyperthreaded 2.8 P4 with 1.5Gb of DDR2 RAM will be adequate for your needs. The Crucial memory is cheaper than the one from Amazon anyway.
It is normal for routers to get quite warm although when it gets to the point that you can fry an egg on it then maybe switch it off;)