[smax013]

STEEDA69 said:

Oh yeah, I almost forgot.... Hey Smax.... I followed that link you posted to "crucial" and saw where it said the MAX RAM for my system is 1024MBs BUT when I clicked on the "crucial system scanner" it recommended 2Gigs of RAM (1024 each slot). I wasn't about to spend $85 for the (2) 1G sticks BUT I was just gonna but one 1G stick and pair it up with the 512 stick already in my PC. However, I don't wanna do it IF my PC will only use 1G max RAM.

What do you think????


Here are BOTH of the links:http://www.crucial.c...10E16B31D926C3]

>
>
> [link from smax (512 Mbs)
>

Crucial Scanner Results (1024 Mbs x 2 )











STEEDA~




[/quote]
I dunno. I don't like it when I get conflicting information. I do trust, in general, what Crucial recommends...I have never had a problem. But, then in this case Crucial is recommending two different things!



You might try emailing Crucial support to see what they say.



Or just go with want ever floats your boat...you should be definitely safe with the new 512 MB configuration as you KNOW a 512 MB module will work as you have one right now. If you are inclined to do the 1 GB module (which would be better if it works) route, then you are also safe in theory as Crucial advertises "Guaranteed-compatible memory upgrades for your Crucial Scanner Results eMachines Imperial Motherboard Desktop/PC." You might to try to find their fine print for their guarantee and make sure, but sounds like if it does not work for some reason, that you could return the 1 GB module(s). Of course, the one downside if that happened in the hassle of having to return/shipping them back and wait for a 512 MB module.



I will note that I WOULD recommend going with two 1 GB modules if you do decide to trust the scanner results. Matched pairs of memory provide speed benefits, not to mention 2 GB of RAM will be better than 1.5 GB. It will be well work the additional $40 or so...you will likely more "bang for your buck" by doing $100 for 2 GB of RAM over upgrading the processor would get you (unless you are doing some VERY processor intensive stuff).

[rgreen4]

Steeda69 - I have been following your discussion and let me also state that you should only update your BIOS if you need to. If you need to do it, then go ahead, but follow the steps set forth by Phoenix exactly and make sure to do review each step before you do it. I long for the days when BIOS upgrades came on a new chip and you simply removed the old one and inserted the new one.
Your restore disc should work without a problem as it should really be a specialized install disc which has the OS, drivers, pre-installed software and the e-machines COA assigned to that model computer.
I would do the HD upgrade and see how the machine reacts. I don't think you will gain a whole lot from going to 1GB, but you will gain some. Unless you process a lot of large files, I don't think you will gain much from going to 2GB. Most will agree 1GB is a fairly large amount of memory for XP. After all, the machine shipped with 128MB. If you decide to upgrade the memory, remove the original 128MB and read the label. Match those specifications exactly except for size and you should be OK. Regardless of what on-line programs and spec sheets say, I always read the memory module labels and go with them.
Another program you may want to download and install is Belarc Advisor. This program will read your machine, and tell you exactly what hardware and software you have installed including any missing updates to the OS.
BTW - check your XP restore disc, you may find it at SP1. If that is the case, as soon a possible after installing it you will want to upgrade to SP2 at least. Considering all the updates you will have to load to get it up to date, you may want to go to SP3.

[smax013]

rgreen4 said:

I would do the HD upgrade and see how the machine reacts. I don't think you will gain a whole lot from going to 1GB, but you will gain some. Unless you process a lot of large files, I don't think you will gain much from going to 2GB. Most will agree 1GB is a fairly large amount of memory for XP. After all, the machine shipped with 128MB. If you decide to upgrade the memory, remove the original 128MB and read the label. Match those specifications exactly except for size and you should be OK. Regardless of what on-line programs and spec sheets say, I always read the memory module labels and go with them.

While would agree that doing the HD upgrade FIRST is a good idea, I would not necessarily agree that one will NOT gain much going to 1 GB. It depends a LOT on useage. If you are running a lot of programs or running a memory intensive program (such as Photoshop), then 1 GB and even 2 GB can be a BIG boost. If you computer use is such that the computer is having to use virtual memory due to a lack of RAM, then you will see significant benefits from a RAM boost. To me, while Windows XP can run with less than 1 GB (I believe the official minimum per Microsoft is 64 MB with 128 recommended), I personally tend to recommend a minimum of 1 GB for XP, but 2 GB is better if running multiple applications at once.

[piyushsingh]

I would say go for 2X512 . That will need only replacing one of your memory sticks.
You should check your mobo manual for the max. memory and not crucial. I personally dont recommend cucial as i know they arent memory experts as they call themselves.
btw - 2 gigs on your present mobo will go waste.

[rgreen4]

He started with 128MB and added 512MB for a total of 640MB. Considering that he was apparently running fine until the HD started filling up (40GB fills up fast), was why I doubted he would get a big bang from going to 1GB. He will get some improvement, but not all of us run memory intensive applications.

The HD will provide a big improvement, then he can evaluate the memory situation.

[smax013]

rgreen4 said:

He started with 128MB and added 512MB for a total of 640MB. Considering that he was apparently running fine until the HD started filling up (40GB fills up fast), was why I doubted he would get a big bang from going to 1GB. He will get some improvement, but not all of us run memory intensive applications.

The HD will provide a big improvement, then he can evaluate the memory situation.

I agree relative to the hard drive issue alone, but it was not just hard drive filling up. Was also complaining of the computer being "boggy" (i.e. slow), which could suggest it is swapping out to virtual memory. If so, then a memory upgrade will help quite a bit.

[coastie65]

As someone who has dealt with two separate eMachines computers T2824 & T5212, I am familiar with the "Restore" disks. The T2824 is pretty much like his model. If you disable the onboard graphics and add a PCI video card, you have to revert back to the onboard graphics( Factory conf) and completely remove the drivers for the PCI card in order for the Disk to work. I have chaged out the optical drive with no problem as far as the restore disk goes. Now if you change out the MOBO, forget it. It won't work and you will need to buy a Windows Installation disk, plus chase down and install all the drivers ( not much of a problem as they are usually available at eMachines). As to the chages he wants to make, I don't see a problem, and on restart the set up is straight forward. coastie

[coastie65]

Hey Steeda, As I said in an earlier post, my research came up with a max of 2 Gb, but (2) 512 sticks would be an improvement. coastie

[STEEDA69]

Yeah, I know! You said 2G and Smax said 1G. When I followed the crucial link that Smax provided, I scanned my model and it came up with your recomendation of 2G. Either way, I don't think I wanna cough up for TWO sticks of anything (this computer will be replaced in a year or two), So I was just wondering if I should add another 512 stick (bringing my total to 1G) OR to add in a 1G sick to get 1536Mbs.

You know, I would agree that for MY machine 640Mbs should be plenty (as a few of you have mentioned) BUT when I'm running Photoshop while online (firefox) I sometimes get a "low virtual memory" warning! So, I think I would benefit with some *extra RAM!
*

As far as the restore disk... Yeah, it only has sp1 BUT I have the additional (sp2) on disk because I could never load sp2 from the internet site. Therefore, Microsoft had to mail me the CD. As far as sp3.... never found the need to add it. Not sure IF it has that many benefits anyway? You guys would know more about that then I do!

So yeah, I think I'll go with the general consensus. I'll swap out this HHD, put in the 250G HDD and add either a 512 stick of RAM or a 1G stick. (I'll swap out the 128 and leave in my 512 stick).

Anyway, all you guys have helped a lot. I guess changing my OEM sound card would be more hassle then it's worth huh??? BUT can't I at least install SOMETHING besides these crappy little PC speakers??? Something with at least SOME balls??? Don't they sell amp driven sub-woofers??? Again, you all would know more about this than I. So let me know about the sound part of things and in the meantime, I will contact the manufacturers of my MOBO and find out EXACTLY how much RAM my system will accept and USE!





STEEDA~

[smax013]

STEEDA69 said:

You know, I would agree that for MY machine 640Mbs should be plenty (as a few of you have mentioned) BUT when I'm running Photoshop while online (firefox) I sometimes get a "low virtual memory" warning! So, I think I would benefit with some *extra RAM!
*

If you are running Photoshop, then more RAM will DEFINITELY be a BIG help. The more the merrier. If you are running Photoshop and use it a lot, then I would be MUCH more inclined to suggest going for the full 2 GB of RAM. Photoshop benefits a LOT from RAM up to at least 2 GB...you still get additional benefit by going beyond 2 GB even though Photoshop itself can only use 2 GB (there is a way to get it to use more, but it does not always work well). I would say that the extra $50 for the second 1 GB DIMM to take you to 2 GB is darn cheap for the performance boost you will get with Photoshop...even if you will replace this computer in 1 to 2 years. It is ultimately your choice, but I can say if it were me, I would go for the 2 GB of RAM (FWIW, my newest computer, which I built myself, is running with 4 GB and the my older Dell is running with 3 GB, which I upgraded to from my original configuration of 1 GB by purchasing memory from Dell [I believe it has two 512 MB DIMMs and two 1 GB DIMMs installed right now]).

STEEDA69 said:

Anyway, all you guys have helped a lot. I guess changing my OEM sound card would be more hassle then it's worth huh??? BUT can't I at least install SOMETHING besides these crappy little PC speakers??? Something with at least SOME balls??? Don't they sell amp driven sub-woofers??? Again, you all would know more about this than I. So let me know about the sound part of things and in the meantime, I will contact the manufacturers of my MOBO and find out EXACTLY how much RAM my system will accept and USE!

You should be able to at least do a 2.1 powered speaker system that will have more "omph" tham just a pair of speakers. That would be two speakers plus a sub-woofer. Unless your current card has support for 5.1 sound, you will not gain much benefit from getting a 5.1 system. Here are bunch of 2.1 options at NewEgg: www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010370060+1090608149&name=2.1. The prices range from about $6 to $200.

[coastie65]

Hey STEEDA, First, being an eMachines you probably have an onboard chipset on the MOBO, rather than sound card, unless you have added a PCI sound card. There is litle to be found at the eMachines site due to the age of the computer. You mentioned running Photo Shop. If you are running that, best have all the memory you can get into that thing as PhotoShop is memory intensive. As far as the speakers go, I have always gotten a high rating for the OEM speakers with this computer at various sites (XFire for one). In fact I got a better rating ( Impressive ) for the speakers than the onboard chipset ( Realtec HD Audio ), although the chipset rating was ( Very Good ). If your your HDD is small and and has a lot of stuff on it, it will hurt your performance. If you do not have sufficient memory installed, it too will hurt performance, A combination of both is worst. Also a faster processor is helpful AFTER all else is taken care of. As far as the Audio goes, that should be at the bottom of the priority list if your budget is limited. You yourself brought up the limited memory situation when running Photoshop and you got the "Low Virtual Memory" message. Whatever you decide to do, just take it one thing at a time and don't try to do too much at once. coastie