Need recommendations for a new desktop

[bzxiao]

Hi there,

I want to replace my current PC which had been giving me problems since I bought 3 years back. My PC configuration is:

Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4, 2.4GHz
256MB, 80GB
VGA 32MB on board
CD Rom
17' Flat Monitor

Can someone be kind enough to advise me what specifications/configuration should I upgrade to as I'm totally loss on the different specifications featured in the product leaflets.

Main function of my PC will be small office work at home, internet surfing (no games), etc.

Thanking you in advance.

[VeeJay]

It would have been easier to make suggestions, if you have informed, what is the problem that you are facing?

For one, you could upgrade the RAM, 256 aint enough to tun XP smoothly. Minimum should be 512MB.

[Firefly]

Ram upgrade...depends. If it's SD ram, forget it, better to change the whole new unit. The SD Rams will cost you a fortune for just the 256mb. If it's DDR, then add a piece of 512mb. There are getting expensive but still avaliable. If your mainboard supports dual channel, suggest you add 2 pieces of 512mb instead or 2 pieces of 256mb, at lease it should keep you happy for at least 2~3 years longer.

Your current setup which uses a shared VAG card. you can also add a dedicated display card. anything 128mb onwards will be ok for most purpose.

There is really not much gain if you change your system to the new Pentium D or Duo or the AMD64 if you are given just the 256mb and a shared onboard VGA. Shops should be shot nowadays for giving only 256mb and a shared VGA. :(

[bzxiao]

Some of the problems:

1. Very slow
2. Always 'hanged'
3. Can only open 1 or 2 windows at a time
4. Some programmes can't work.

Had sent for countless repairs (including reformatting) but after some time problems come back. The PC repairman has been suggesting this and that and as I'm a total layman when comes to computer, normally heed his advice.

My DH suggested to get new one instead of spending unnecessary monies on repairs.

Thanks

[Firefly]

Can you open the casing and peep inside...get the mainboard's model number. It would be easier to advice you from there.

Judging from what you mention, you need more Rams. ie onboard memory, not HDD memory. Firefly try to explain...with the current installed 256mb, 32 is taken up by the display. hence you are left with only 224mb WinXp itself requires something like 185mb to load and operate. that leaves you with only 39Mb...that is not enough for any programes to load. So if you have say an antivirus running...that another 16mb. A firewall, another 16mb then your ADSL dialup...no wonder it hang on you.

Why is the PC slow..what Xp does is that it tries to get more memory by using the HDD.. It will create a swapfile on the HDD. Take this scenerio. You have a blank tabletop of a fix size. take it as a small bedside table to start.. you have a clock, a book, a table lamp, a radio and no space left. Now you bring in a cup. So you move the book to the drawer to put the cup. Imagine the drawer as your HDD. Open drawer put book in. Cup on the table. then you add a Jug of water...what do you do? move the clock to the drawer, place the jug there. then you want to read...move the cup to the drawer take the book out...and so on...would it not be easier to get a bigger table instead?

So likewise, adding more RAM is adding a bigger tabletop for your computer to work on. No necessary to move things to the drawer and out again within a short space of time.

Why is the PC hang? same as above or worst case, wrong ram speed. This can happend when the seller missmatch the components. Some sellers do not really know what they are putting into a PC. so get a good one to diagnose the actual cause and do the corrective messures.

[kevin23]

Hi there,

I want to replace my current PC which had been giving me problems since I bought 3 years back. My PC configuration is:

Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4, 2.4GHz
256MB, 80GB
VGA 32MB on board
CD Rom
17' Flat Monitor

Can someone be kind enough to advise me what specifications/configuration should I upgrade to as I'm totally loss on the different specifications featured in the product leaflets.

Main function of my PC will be small office work at home, internet surfing (no games), etc.

Thanking you in advance.


Since you are doing office work,you should

1. Upgrade RAM to at least 1GB.(minimum nowadays)---This is the most important.256 MB RAM is way too lil .
2. Should have at least a DVD-ROM

I dont think you need a graphics card since no games.Just get a motherboard with integrated graphic card.Should be good enough.
If you got the cash,then i should say get the latest Intel Core 2 Duo.
If your budget permits then you should get a bigger HDD(Hard disk drive)-say arnd 160GB.But the most important is the RAM.The more the merrier!

[bzxiao]

Thank you very much for your speedy and very detailed explanation.

More advice please:-

1. How and where can I check whether my existing RAM is a SD or a DDR ram.
2. Any idea on how much it would cost for me to add another 512mb (if my PC is of DDR).
3. Can recommend any good computer shops or serviceman.

Thank you.

[Firefly]

Either take a snap shot of the mainboard or give us the model number and make. From there online can search for the mainboard specs. Else refer to the mainboard manual. It should state it there.
As for prices, you can either refer to www.lowyat.net. The prices will depend on the type and sometimes speed.

Soli loh, no recommendation for a repairman. So far, all is DIY. and firefly does not run a computer bussiness. Not sure about CCY...try asking him.

Added....

From lowyat Plaza 512mb
SD @ RM225 each
DDR @ RM157~170 each
DDR2 @ Rm150~onwards each.

[blurrman]

Some of the problems:

1. Very slow
2. Always 'hanged'
3. Can only open 1 or 2 windows at a time
4. Some programmes can't work.

Had sent for countless repairs (including reformatting) but after some time problems come back. The PC repairman has been suggesting this and that and as I'm a total layman when comes to computer, normally heed his advice.

My DH suggested to get new one instead of spending unnecessary monies on repairs.

Thanks

hi,

upgrading to a new pc without knowing the actual root cause of your current system slow down will not do any good.

according to your description, after reformat the system will be good for a while and problem will come back after some time. meaning with a fresh xp your system is fine, only after you starting to put in more application, it starts to slow down or hang.

256MB RAM is too little for an XP sytem, but if there is nothing much running in the background, it should be sufficient to run most of the office application.

try get someone to look at the system, if it has too many hidden app running...it will be very very slow...especially anti virus programs, toolbars that installed itself into your IE, spywares, worm and etc...

good luck

[birdy]

Some of the problems:

1. Very slow
2. Always 'hanged'
3. Can only open 1 or 2 windows at a time
4. Some programmes can't work.
Looks to me like system corruption more than the incapable of your PC. Yes of course I agree that you shld upgrade your RAM to at least 512MB...the higher the better. The rest of your PC specs look fine for your current usage. Try reformat your PC and install with those software you need.
Another possibility is your system may have been infected by virus. Try to scan using Spybot1.4.

[honeybee]

Hi,

I've got a friend who does house calls for servicing computers and peripherals. He can check and recommend what can be done. Can also find re-cond parts if necessary, cheaper than buying new RAMs.

Do let me know if you wish to contact him. Will PM you his number then.


Cheerio!

[CS Chua]

Together with all the above (which has very good advice) try installing "Start up Inspector for Windows" and "Internet Eraser." Spybot or other similar programs are good too as mentioned by the others. These programs will help you to clean up the systems.

[akaJacky]

Based on my opinion (within Intel M'board).

First upgrade ur Ram to 1GB (Cost RM350) Add VGA Card 128MB (Cost RM200) Based on ur budget your total upgrade should be deal at RM500 rather then u get yourself a brande NEW (Cost @ RM 2-3k) it could cause of Additional problem also. hehehe...

Once you got the hardware upgrade, its time to Re-format your hard drive. Make sure it clean install. I believe your problem could be solved by this way. Make sure you have Anti-Virus installed before you go to internet.

[bzxiao]

Thank you guys for all the valued help. I now more or less what's the problems of my PC.

I think I will upgrade my PC instead of buying a new one.

Once again, thank you.

Cheers

[Timo]

Just a tiny suggestion, that could prove useful for a whole range of computer users.

If you are unsure of what your computer specs are, eg, the brand and model of your mother board, you can download a free program called AIDA32 (do a google search and you'll find it).

It's easy to use and gives you a whole range of information on your computer, including how much available memory is left. You can also use it to get your motherboard information, which then can be used to see what kind of RAM you are using without having to open up your PC, and also can be used to determine how many RAM slots you have, and the maximum total memory that the motherboard can accept.

[kevin23]

Or you could click start,then click "run"
In there,you type "dxdiag".If a small window appears,just click "yes".A whole lot of your pc information will be displayed.