Kitz Forum
Chat => Tech Chat => Topic started by: chrissie on May 08, 2008, 07:54:17 AM
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Not sure if this is in the right section... but hopefully one of you techy brains may be able to help me out.
I have a wannado connection on the task bar and it's in the start up on msconfig. I have Orange (spit) broad band connection now so do I really need the wannado connection kit still running? Would it be ok to disable it in start up do you know?
Thanks for your help...... I'm a technophobic but willing to learn to overcome it!
Chrissie
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hi chrissie
i've never actually seen that software but you could untick it in msconfig and reboot and test the connection.
if it dont work, retick it and reboot !!
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It should be fine to uninstall the Wanadon't stuff from control panel / add remove programs.
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Chrissie, did you get it sorted?
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Hi Floydy.... yes I disabled the wannadont from the startup.... and ms office too as I dont' think that should be starting up as I don't use it. Wondering what else I can disable from startup to help the computer boot up quicker?.... it takes about 6 - 8 minutes on a good day... not good methinks. Didn't take the connection kit off yet because.... what happens if I need to use dial up again if BB goes down?? As you know I'm a born again techyphobe so I know nuthing.....and scared to muck up things. There is, I'm afraid, no hope for me :'(
PS. I think I need to have the RAM upgraded, only got 256MB and I occasionally get up the message that virtual memory (I think it says)... is very low....scream.
Chrissie
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@ Chrissie,I only had 256mb ram in my last computer,when I got my new one last year it came with 2GB,wow what a difference.Memory is quite cheap at the moment,if you do not feel up to doing yourself,PC world will do it instore for you.I have installed ram in my computer in the past(and I'm no techie).It is one of the easiest things to upgrade.Turn off,open computer,take out old ram,carefully push new in place,close up,reboot and windows automatically recognises the new memory. :)
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Try your local friendly PC repair shop and ask them to upgrade you to a gigabyte of RAM - as uncy says it shouldn't be too expensive - probably not more than £30, and well worth it.
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@UncleUB - I've been thinking of upgrading my RAM too but am not very techie. Is it a simple matter of pulling one card out and putting the new one in? - or is soldering involved?? If it is just a simple lift out and replace the card then I would certainly go for it as I only have 512Mb RAM and Dell site shows I could get a 1Gb card from them for about £24 delivered.
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No soldering.
The modules are held in place with little plastic clips, one at each end.
Raise the clips, pull out module (it may be stiff to come out), put in new modules ( it will need a bit of pressure) and close clips.
When you take the exising module out, look at it's orientation..............on the business side is a row of contacts with a tiny gap at one point, and the new module's gap has to go where the old one was.
I am completely non-tech, but have done this twice now without problem. But, make sure you are earthed before touching any internal components.
There is a nice illustrated step-by-step guide at http://www.build-your-own-computer-tips.com/install-ram.html
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Jazz,Tufted has summed it up.By earthing yourself,just touch something metal,ie radiator before you start.Most memory kits come with instructions.Check out memory sites for the correct memory you need.IE,Crucial or Kingston.
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Oops, sorry unkyUb................just noticed that jazz directed his question at yourself. Sorry to but in. :-[
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Thanks to both of you...Great help!!
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No worries Tufted. :)
Jazz,heres the link to Crucial.
http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/drammemory.aspx?gclid=CP2KzeienpMCFQ4uHgodjx7yZA
Also when you find what your looking for, www.dvd.co.uk. They have great prices on memory. ;)
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Thanks again - that Crucial scanner was very helpful. I find that I could go to 4Gb if I replaced my current memory but just by adding to it to what's already there I could get 2.5Gb as I have 2 slots empty. I think memory upgrade will definitely go on my shopping list! :)
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Jazz,
I do not know what your OS is, XP or Vista, but XP will only recognise and use about 3.2GB so to get 4GB is a waste of money.
I would, at the most add 2 x 1GB sticks to slots 1 and 2 and, if you want, move the existing stick into slot 3.
dave
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Thanks dave.m. I use XP and thought that 4Gb was probably pointless. My computer manual says that although I could support 4Gb it is unlikely that my OS would use that much.
I have four memory slots to be used in matched pairs. Slots 1 and 2 currently have two x 256Mb cards in. Crucial suggested that I keep those and add two x 512Mb or two x 1Gb cards in slots 3 and 4 which are currently empty. I realise that the slowest part of the system will dictate the fastest speed of operation and I have no particular wish to overdo an upgrade - I would just like to get up to 1Gig or so. I think I may contact Dell technical help for advice on whether to add to the cards I already have or to replace them with eg twox 1 Gb cards
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Jazz,
Do you know, have you a separate graphics card or is it an onboard embedded card?
If you have an onboard graphics card then get a couple of 1GB cards for slots 3 and 4, leave the 2 x 256 MB in and that way you will have plenty of memory after your graphics have laid claim to their bit of memory from your RAM.
If you have aseparate graphics card the the two 512 MB cards would be enough along with your existing 2 x 256 MB. That would give you about 1½ GB for your RAM.
dave
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Thanks dave.m - you're being really helpful to me on this one. Your suggestions make eminent sense. I don't think I have a separate graphics card installed - I don't remember reallyy as my computer is now nearly 4 years old. I'll pursue your suggestions with Dell anyway.
@Chrissie
My apologies to you since I seem to have "taken over" your original post. It was your query about 256Mb memory that "set me off". I hope dave.m's replies to me have been as helpful to you in thinking about computer memory upgrades as they have been to me
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Update
I've spoken to Dell about this. They advise that I replace the existing memory cards completely and get 2x512Mb or 2x1Gb cards. Reason is that the old cards run at 400MHz and the new ones run at 667MHz. If I try to run them together thay'll all be brought down to the slowest speed. I think I'll go for 2x1Gb cards as the cost difference compared to 512Mb cards is very slight.
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Yes, jazz, go for the biggie............the difference to your PC will surprise you, and as you say the cost difference is not worth thinking about.
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Ebuyer have a handy little memory checker, plus their prices are pretty competitive:
http://www.ebuyer.com/store/Components/cat/Memory---Desktop?refmen=tn
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When you've done that we can sort out your graphics. :)
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:lol:
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What's so funny?
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Once he's spent dosh sorting out his memory - then look at upgrading his graphics?
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@ Kitz,don't forget Floydy comes from a wealthy area. :D
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Well I suppose it depends whether Jelv is a gamer or not... if not then upgrading the graphics needn't break the bank (remember I'm a Yorkshireman an hence well versed in looking for value for money).
Now where's that biscuit tin under the bed?
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Well I suppose it depends whether Jelv is a gamer or not... if not then upgrading the graphics needn't break the bank (remember I'm a Yorkshireman an hence well versed in looking for value for money).
Now where's that biscuit tin under the bed?
:D
Just like me Floydy,I will scour the internet to save a quid. :D
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Well the graphics card I invested in a while back cost just under £35 and is excellent for my needs.
http://forum.kitz.co.uk/index.php?topic=805.0
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I just thought I should worry about one thing at a time! Putting in this new memory will be the first time I've taken the cover off a machine (other than to remove and destroy bits when I've scrapped them in the past!).
Perhaps if it is successful I'll start to think about other things. However, I'm quite happy with my graphics at the moment so we'll see! I'll let you lnow how I get on anyway. ???
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@Chrissie
My apologies to you since I seem to have "taken over" your original post. It was your query about 256Mb memory that "set me off". I hope dave.m's replies to me have been as helpful to you in thinking about computer memory upgrades as they have been to me
No problems Jazz, we can all learn things as threads/posts develop. About the graphics card, this PC has "Real256E Graphics - up to 64MB shared video memory" it sez ere. Think I need to get that done as well as the RAM, looking into PC world doing it IF they come out to one's home.
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I'd certainly recommend you at least double your graphics power to 128 MB.
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I'd certainly recommend you at least double your graphics power to 128 MB.
Thanks Floydy, will sort that when I get the RAM done.
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Try looking in your local yellow pages and see if there's a Pc repair business that does house calls... I'm sure they exist in many areas, and they could be cheaper than PC World. :)
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WOW!!!!! ;D
Just installed my two x 1 GB Memory cards that arrived this lunchtime in place of the two original 256MB cards. The new cards are not just bigger but also faster (and four years younger!). My computer is whizzing along like it used to when it was new - probably even faster. 8)
I've never had the cover off my computers before but the entire upgrade took less than five minutes and most of that was time needed to clear things away on my desk to make a bit of space to get at the machine. The whole job was very simple and well explained in the computer manual. I didn't even need a screwdriver to get the cover off - it was held on by a small latch which was easy to operate.
Thank you to those on this site who encouraged me to press ahead with the upgrade. :graduate:
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:clap: :clap: :thumbs: :drink:
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Great stuff Jazz! :)
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That sure is good news... I think upgrading memory is one of the simplest under the hood jobs you can do. :)
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:thumbs:
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Sounds a brill job Jazz, so glad you managed to do it.... just wish I had the confidence to do the memory upgrade on mine <shivers in her shoes> I wouldn't know where to start even if it was drawn up, photographed etc etc. I would LOVE to practise on an old computer first then maybe undertake it... but I don't have an old one to practise on... I will have to get the "heavies" in to do mine, well it does need clearing out too so best get it done all at once.
Chrissie - (the original born again coward!)
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Here's a picture of a typical motherboard with all the main components labelled:
(https://forum.kitz.co.uk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv250%2FFloydoid%2Fmotherboard.jpg&hash=f5d972cbd9f70ff5a8b9175f47be17c44013a48c)
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Aww thanks Floydoid, you're too kind (mwwaaah)
Chrissie