My computer will be 5 yrs old in November

sheilajim · Post by **sheilajim** » Tue Sep 15, 2009 11:36 pm

Hi All,

My computer will be 5 years old in November and I am wondering if it is time to invest in a new one. So far it has been working ok, but has become slower over the years. I want to research new computers before it becomes necessary to buy a new one.

I would also like to wait until Windows 7 comes out and any bugs that it has are apparent.

My current computer is a Dell Dimension 4600. It has 80GB hard drive 7200 rpm Ultra ATA and 512 MB DSR @ SD Ram. I have no idea what all that means!

I am supposing that more is better.

I have a number of programs, 3 word processing programs (I use all of them), 1 spreadsheet program. I also have Photoshop Elements, Corel Paint Shop Pro X2, Photoshop Paint, and a few other, including Family Tree Maker. Then there is my McAffee Security Suite.
I have an external CD, external HD and speakers.
I also have a Bamboo Fun Tablet that I haven't been able to use because the computer freezes when I plug it on and try to use it.

I am technologically challenged and really don't know what kind of
computer would suit me best.

I would like to spend less than $1000.00 on a new one.

Can anyone here give me any advice. [-o<

Post by **AndrewP** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:01 am

Hi Sheila,

Windows 7 is due for release on 22 October 2009 (I am assuming that date is to be used for the release worldwide). While waiting for the initial bugs to be resolved, you have some homework to do. That is to search the net to find out if the programs you have and want to retain will operate on Windows 7. Also, you should do a similar search to see if there are Windows 7 drivers hardware you have (printer, external CD, Bamboo Fun Tablet etc.).

As ever, keep all your files backed up. When you do transfer over to the new machine, you will need to copy over your files. Documents and pictures should be easily located. Depending on what programs you use, you may need to look a bit further to find the file(s) that store your e-mails and e-mail addresses. Then there are the convenience items to copy over - your internet favourites and any shortcuts you keep on your desktop.

All the best,

AndrewP

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:50 am

Hello Sheila,

If your computer is just a bit slow and otherwise ok and you want to give it a bit of a boost until an appropriate time arrives to buy a new one the best and cheapest upgrade would be more memory.

I notice that the Dell 4600 is a proper computer i.e. a desktop, and according to this http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/dell-d ... 29709.html it has “512MB of speedy 400MHz DDR”. (333MHz is PC2700 and 400MHz is PC3200)

According to this http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/compatib ... /list.html your computer has 4 memory slots and will take up to a total of 4GB of memory whereas at the moment it has ½GB

You probably don’t want to spend too much on an ageing computer by buying the full allowable amount of ram and you should probably try to make use of the current ram and just add new sticks to the empty slots. Adding ram to a desktop computer is a relatively easy task but much easier if you’ve done it before.

Dell recommend installing memory in matched pairs, and that suggests you have a matched pair of 256mb sticks at present in slots 1 and 2. Perhaps a matched pair of 256mb or preferably 512mb sticks in the two empty slots would be the way to go. http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/s ... tm#1152058

My youngest computer is 6 years old made up from second hand bits except for DVD drive and hard drive. I haven’t had any experience of a Dell or of computers requiring matched sticks and you may have to do a bit of research if you think it is worth an upgrade and you intend to do the work yourself.

Hope that helps,
Alan

LesleyB · Post by **LesleyB** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:31 pm

Hi Sheila

So far it has been working ok, but has become slower over the years.

If it is running with XP as the Operating System, it woudl be worth doing a bit of a "spring clean" to see if that improves the performance - often older PCs slow down just because of the amount of data we store, a lot of which could be cleared out - old files we no longer need, programs we no longer use etc.

First of all have a rummage in your folders and delete any unneeded files - old things you no longer need or use - e.g. I always keep copies of business letters for a while, but eventually bin them when the need to have a copy is no longer vital. Follow this with a clear out of any software you no longer use (Start> Contol Panel > Add or Remove Programs)

Then go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and use:
Disk clean up first, followed by Disk defragmenter.

This is akin to clearing out an old cupboard, chucking out the stuff you don't need, and then the defragmenter arranges all the stuff you are keeping in an orderly way which can speed up your computer considerably - again just like reaching into a well organised cupboard to find something.

My PC must be about 6-7 years old now, but still perfectly adequate for my needs and just as fast as when I bought it. (which is "slow" by todays standards, but still quick enough for me!!)

Best wishes
Lesley

winslowsmom · Post by **winslowsmom** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 9:36 pm

Hi Sheila

You can buy RAM memory for your computer from reputable companies for 1 gig at $42.00. Since Dell recommends pairs, you would want to get 2. I am in California too, and I will PM you where I get mine. Happy to share a good source with all, if anyone wants to PM me, but I don't want to promote on our forum. This is a cheap way to make you and your computer very happy until something is actually wrong with it.

80 gigs for your hard drive is not really big, or really small. But, you need to know how much of it you are using. I am a Mac user, please some windows user, tell her how to call up what is being used. If you have plenty still left, great. Once you find out how much of it you are using, we can give you tips for storage and clean up. But you might not even need it. I have over 10,000 large photos and still have over half of my 80 gigs left.

Hope this isn't confusing, just wanted you to know that memory is cheap right now, and might give you a "new" computer!
Cathy Hatfield
Fountain Valley

winslowsmom · Post by **winslowsmom** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:02 pm

Also, I forgot, there are some happy Dell 4600 users who added more memory at the Dell Forum

http://reviews.dell.com/2341/A0740433/reviews.htm

Maybe this will give you courage!

sheilajim · Post by **sheilajim** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:32 pm

Hi All,

Thank you to everyone for your interest and help.

Andrew- I knew that I might have some problems with some of my programs if I switched from XP to Windows 7, but never realized that I might also have problems with my external hardware.

I was thinking that I might be able to get updates for the programs, now I have to think of getting updates (drivers) for the hardware.

Thank you for giving me a head's up on that.

Leslie- I have gotten rid of some old programs that I don't use. I have done as you suggested and tried out the defragmenter- It said that I don't need to defragment. I was wondering what that meant.

Currie and Cathy- I am very technologically challenged and wouldn't know what to do when it comes to adding memory cards. I will have to check and find out how much it will cost me to hire someone to do it. My husband is worse that me when it comes to computers, so is the rest of the family.

Cathy- I have noticed that Office Depot & Staples have offers for "Free" computer check ups. I thought that this could just be a ploy to get you to buy a new computer, but maybe it is something else that I should check up on. Another thing that I have noticed. This summer for the first time my computer seems to be laboring in hot weather. Cathy, remember the hot weather that we had just before Labor Day? I had to shut my computer down in the aftenoon, I was afraid that it was going to crash. It was going all funny.
San Clemente only has a few really hot days during a given year, so we don't have AC.

Thanks again to all of you.

You have given me much to think about.

Post by **emanday** » Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:07 pm

sheilajim wrote:I have done as you suggested and tried out the defragmenter- It said that I don't need to defragment. I was wondering what that meant.

When you delete a file and later save a new file the PC starts to save it in the space vacated by the deleted one. If that space is too small, the PC then looks for the next available space to continue saving the file. A largish file could end up being saved in several smaller blocks, so the next time you access it the PC has to "look for the bits" so to speak. That slows it down. Defragmenting gathers all these bits of a file up together and essentially saves them into one complete file. It's a bit like putting a jigsaw together.

If you have never defragmented before or haven't done it for a while, ignore that and go ahead and defragment anyway.

Personally, I do it at least once a month. I always see at least a bit of improvement in performance afterwards.

Post by **marilyn morning** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:31 am

Hi Sheila,

Its still early out in California

Maybe its time to check your computer into the "virtual tune-up spar for a good defrag?" If you've never run a defrag before now, then your computer is certainly being weighed down with all sorts of garbage? Are you using a Spyware program to remove any of the other possible "uninvited" garbage lurking in the background? If not, you may need to get one installed and run a "Full Scan" on your computer, which could take an hour or so to complete? For me it takes about two hours. I've had good luck using Spyware Doctor.

http://zacharychastain.wordpress.com/2009/01/10/defrag/

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/P ... ctor.shtml

Regards
Marilyn

P.S. " I have noticed that Office Depot & Staples have offers for "Free" computer check ups."

My best advice, would be to try and find a local computer geek in the neighborhood phone book, they can add some additional memory to your computer or as a last resort sell you a new one.

Currie · Post by **Currie** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 10:10 am

Sheila,

Regarding Cathy’s question about checking the amount of empty space on your hard drive in Windows:

Double-click “My Computer” on your desktop.
Right Click the “C” Drive and click Properties.
You should see a graphical representation of the drive showing used and unused.

If you do decide to buy a new computer and Dell is the Devil You Know and you’ve been happy with the Dell it would probably make choices easier if you stuck with that brand. I’ve never had a Dell but they’ve always struck me as being good value for money.

Computers suck up dust better than some vacuum cleaners and overheating can be caused by accumulation of dust between the fins of the Processor Heat Sink and elsewhere. Computers should occasionally be de-dusted and this would usually hopefully be done by anyone opening the case to install new memory or whatever.

Alan