Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows NT/2000 => Topic started by: rufusta2 on August 27, 2005, 10:13:21 PM

Title: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 27, 2005, 10:13:21 PM
My computer too small for XP to run at its best, not able to buy new one at this time.  How can I install ME w/out losing everything on my hard drive?

Computer only has 91MB RAM.  It runs but it is very slow and at times will lockup or just shut itself down.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Mac on August 28, 2005, 05:10:17 AM
What are the other specifications Connie, Processor, hard drive size, make and model of computer?

The quickest way to improve performance is to add more RAM.

Install Everest Home Edition Computer Diagnostic Program (http://www.lavalys.com/products.php?lang=en) then you can find out a lot more about your computer including the mainboard model and just how much RAM you could fit.

91 MB of RAM is a bit low even for ME, but would be good for Windows '98se.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Raptor on August 28, 2005, 06:17:31 AM
Quote
My computer too small for XP to run at its best, not able to buy new one at this time.  How can I install ME w/out losing everything on my hard drive?

Computer only has 91MB RAM.  It runs but it is very slow and at times will lockup or just shut itself down.


The computer may be very dusty inside and overheating often.

What are its full specifications and what OS is installed now?
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: pcdoc4christ on August 28, 2005, 12:49:18 PM
Hello, Connie.

Do your memory "RAM sticks" fit in white sockets like this:

(http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/images/memory1.jpg)

or in brown sockets like this:

(http://www.pcnineoneone.com/howto/images/memory2.jpg)

If white, then your system uses SIMMs (Single Inline Memory Modules) and there is a good chance that you may not be able to add more memory, as all of the slots are likely full.  If brown, then your system uses DIMMs (Dual Inline Memory Modules) and you will likely be able to increase your total memory by purchasing another DIMM or two.  Windows XP needs at least 128 MB to run properly, twice that if you have a high-speed Internet connection, play games, or work with a lot of graphics or photos.

To answer your question, how to get Windows Me back depends on how Windows XP was installed.  

Please let us know what file system is used, so we may help you further:

1. Click Start > My Computer.
2. Right click Local Disk (C:) and choose Properties from the context menu.
3. In the Properties dialog box, select the General tab.
4. You will see Type is shown as Local Disk.  Under that, you will see the File System.  Let us know what the files system is.

Regards,
Doc



Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 29, 2005, 06:46:04 PM
Thanks to everyone who has reponded.  My system is NTFS, only has 4GB hard drive, 91MB RAM.  Used to have 98 SE on it, until it just quit working.  Was told by Microsoft that they stopped support on 98 SE.  Tried ME but couldn't get it to detect my monitor, speakers or modem.  I can do alot right now, but when I'm online it stops responding or when I have too much going at one time.  I plan on just buying a new one and giving my kids this one.

All I need to know is can I save things, like my email messages, but install older OS, or do I have to just start from scratch?
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 29, 2005, 06:47:00 PM
Sorry, forgot to mention I am running XP right now.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 29, 2005, 07:12:12 PM
It is a Compaq Presario, an older one.  It is a desktop, not a laptop.  I know I need to add more mem, but have decided to buy new one from my Internet Provider.  They build very reasonable priced ones, much better than this one.  My kids can upgrade the mem. after they get it.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: merlin_2 on August 29, 2005, 07:16:19 PM
save the hard drive if you wish to but another pc but .....it maybe old but still upgradeable.......visit hp website.........you never know you may save bucks...in exchange/swap......
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 29, 2005, 08:16:05 PM
Thanks Merlin.  I am sure I could upgrade this myself, but here are the specs for the one I am looking at.  Let me know if this seems like a good computer.  Will cost $359, $309 if I use my own XP OS.

New Computer System: Value - New AMD Sempron 2300+ CPU 384k-Cache, 256MB RAM, 80GB Hard Drive ATA133 7200RPM, 3D Video up to 64MB, AGP8x slot, 52x CD Burner/Player with easy software, 56k Modem, Optical Laser Mouse 3 button and scroll wheel, Keyboard, Stereo Speakers, 6 USB 2.0 ports, 2 PCI slots, Network/DSL port, Surge Protector with modem protection, Windows XP Home, Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware Software, Web Browser, E-Mail, instant messaging (ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, IRC), Internet Telephone & Voice Chat software with microphone, Office XP compatible software, budget/check management, games, etc.  Easy System Restore CD.  Lifetime Labor Warranty* on part replacement for as long as you remain an iPro/iClub Member.  Parts Warranties* up to 3 years by respective parts manufacturers.  Test drive this PC today at our downtown Richmond office.
{upgrades: RAM: 512MB +$34 or 768MB +$79 or 1GB +$109, Floppy Drive +$9, CD Burner/DVD Player +14, DVD/CD Burner/Player with dvd copy software +$29, DVD/CD Burner/Player with "DVD+R DL"(double size disc) support and dvd copy software +$49, 3D Video for gaming ATI RADEON 9250 chipset 128MB AGP8x +$59, 3D Video for high-end gaming (like Doom3) ATI RADEON 9550 chipset 128MB full-DX9 AGP8x +$79, Subwoofer +$9, others above, reduce price by $50 if you bring your own windows xp}
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: merlin_2 on August 29, 2005, 08:18:18 PM
still keep the old pc..........is may come use one day. ;)
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 29, 2005, 09:09:05 PM
Thanks Merlin.  I plan on giving it to my kids.  Does the new one sound like a good deal or is that too much?  I don't know alot about buying computers.  I just mainly have gimme computers.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Mac on August 30, 2005, 09:51:28 AM
Quote
Cost $359, $309 if I use my own XP OS.

New Computer System:

New AMD Sempron 2300+ CPU 384k-Cache
256MB RAM
80GB Hard Drive ATA133 7200RPM
3D Video up to 64MB
AGP8x slot
52x CD Burner/Player with easy software
56k Modem
Optical Laser Mouse 3 button and scroll wheel
Keyboard
Stereo Speakers
6 USB 2.0 ports
2 PCI slots
Network/DSL port

Surge Protector with modem protection

Windows XP Home, Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware Software, Web Browser, E-Mail, instant messaging (ICQ, AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, IRC), Internet Telephone & Voice Chat software with microphone, Office XP compatible software, budget/check management, games, etc.  Easy System Restore CD.  Lifetime Labor Warranty* on part replacement for as long as you remain an iPro/iClub Member.  Parts Warranties* up to 3 years by respective parts manufacturers.  Test drive this PC today at our downtown Richmond office.

Upgrades:

RAM: 512MB +$34 or 768MB +$79 or 1GB +$109
Floppy Drive +$9

CD Burner/DVD Player +$14
DVD/CD Burner/Player with dvd copy software +$29
DVD/CD Burner/Player with "DVD+R DL"(double size disc) support and dvd copy software +$49

3D Video for gaming ATI RADEON 9250 chipset 128MB AGP8x +$59

3D Video for high-end gaming (like Doom3) ATI RADEON 9550 chipset 128MB full-DX9 AGP8x +$79

Subwoofer +$9

Others above, reduce price by $50 if you bring your own windows XP


Looks like good value for money. Didn't mention a monitor I see.

You should definitely opt to have the floppy drive as there are a number of recovery tips you can use from a floppy drive which you can't do without one. $9

As much RAM as you can afford really. Certainly go up to 512 MB which is the - practical - minimum for XP.

What do you want to do when it comes to CD-R or DVD+R?

If you want to do work on DVDs and opt for the DVD double layer burner then you should also consider going up to 1024 MB of RAM.

Redmond, Seattle I suppose?

Are you interested in Windows Vista at a later date?

What about gaming/graphics, etc. Might as well take a better video card with 128 MB video memory.

What do you plan on doing for a monitor? 19" flatpanel.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Raptor on August 30, 2005, 09:53:13 AM
I wouldn't quite bother playing games on a Sempron +2300. Especially not Doom 3.
Title: Re: Windows XP/ME help
Post by: Mac on August 30, 2005, 10:24:21 AM
I still prefer Intel Processors. Especially after seeing film of AMDs going up in smoke.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 30, 2005, 07:32:26 PM
Well, ya'll lost me back there somewhere.  Don't really know the difference between an Intel or AMD, or what Sempron +2300 is.  All I do know is that what I have now is too slow for me and I go w/Macs opinion that the one I'm looking at seems like a good deal.  I am what you would call a self-taught computer user.  It doesn't come easy or natural to me.
Do plan on opting for the 512MB but not the DVD-R.  Will probably use my old monitor, Gateway 2000 Vivatron 15 until am ready to buy a flat screen.  Don't know what Windows Vista is.  Not sure what you mean by Redmond, Seattle??  If it is where this computer is located it is in Richmond Ky.  The Internet Club, my provider.
Thanks for the input.  I look to you experts to help the less fortunate-barely-computer-literate world.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Mac on August 31, 2005, 12:31:48 AM
Just goes to show what dyslexia can do. I read Richmond and think Redmond, and it's getting worse.

Spend too much time looking at a computer screen I suppose, or maybe it was because I was looking at Bill's office in Redmond on Google Earth thinking that, if I could smart-bomb his offices automatically when a BSOD appears on the screen by linking in to a defence computer I could get a free copy of Windows Vista. ;D

Just who is defending who around here anyway?

(Windows Vista is the latest name for Windows Longhorn due to replace XP and now in Beta testing.)

It has the advantage of being available in 32-bit and 64-bit editions. 64-bit operating system architecture has even more virtual memory available and can use even more RAM but it is more for professional engineers, scientists and film makers.

Certainly for the money, it looks like good value. I see that there is 64 MB of video memory.

Just ask them if this is totally independant of the main system memory. That is important as it can affect performance.

If it is not independant but inclusive, i.e. 512-64MB making 448MB then I would opt for the better video card with 128MB.

So yes, the floppy can come in real handy when repairs are needed and 512 MB of RAM is a sensible choice.

Ask if you can add more later if you need to,will they still have it in stock or is it a limited period offer.

Good luck with the new computer.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Raptor on August 31, 2005, 04:47:38 AM
Quote
3D Video for high-end gaming (like Doom3) ATI RADEON 9550 chipset 128MB full-DX9 AGP8x +$79


You appear to want to play games. I would not advise you to bother trying on a system with the specifications as quoted by Mac. It is simply not powerful enough.
Title: Re: Windows XP/ME help
Post by: Mac on August 31, 2005, 06:04:47 AM
Nobody needs a computer to play games on. Computers are for people who use them for work.

I don't have any games on any computers.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Raptor on August 31, 2005, 06:47:36 AM
If no one needs computers to play on how come I can't fit my GTASA DVD in my Sega 16bit?  ???
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Fed on August 31, 2005, 06:51:36 AM
You should try some games Mac, there's a lot of satisfaction in running amuck with a very large gun.  :D
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 31, 2005, 07:37:45 PM
Thanks everyone.  I am more confused than ever w/all the technical talk, but I can't expect to understand it all.  I really just started getting into computers in '98, didn't get my first one until after 2000.  I'll be 40 next year and can honestly say that I have taught myself most everything I know.  
Yes, I do plan on playing games, mainly solitaire types and some RPG's.  If you think this new computer would be bad for them, you should have seen what I first had.
Think it was called a Northgate.  Got it from Heilig Meyers.  Worst piece of *censored* ever, lost my memory somewhere.
But anyway, thanks for the help, although no one answered my orginal question about if I can reinstall ME instead of XP w/out losing me email messages and some important documents.  I know I can save the documents to a floppy but what about the emails?  Can I still pull them up later on in Outlook?
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: merlin_2 on August 31, 2005, 07:49:00 PM
was windows xp a upgrade disk if so this may help

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/q303661/
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: rufusta2 on August 31, 2005, 07:59:06 PM
Yes, I bought it for an upgrade from 98SE, but did a clean install because I needed to reformat my hard drive to its full capacity.  I can do the same thing and put ME on it, I just need to find out if I save me emails on a floppy can I pull them back up in Outlook later on?
My husband has several from his ex-wife that I want to keep for him, but I want him to be able to go back and read them again later on if he wants to.
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: merlin_2 on August 31, 2005, 08:03:45 PM
load the recovery disks that came with the pc. or kick sanders........the chicken king
Title: Re: windows XP/ME help
Post by: Raptor on September 01, 2005, 08:00:25 AM
Quote
I do plan on playing games, mainly solitaire types and some RPG's.  If you think this new computer would be bad for them, you should have seen what I first had.


I was referring to high end games such as Doom III, Far Cry, etc. But if you do not plan on playing these, all the better. For your system that is. You actually need to play games in order to be come a mindless killing machine.