[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer help! (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 6/27/2005 10:04:34 AM EDT
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I know there are computer geeks out there... We have an almost 2 yr old dell, laptop....came with 128mb of memory (?) and windows XP been running slow... took it in for a tune up...and no one ever called back... I called today and they only did diagnosics...never did the requested service..... and told me that it is too low on memory...128 is bare minimum for windows...they recommend adding almost 400mb of memory (gave me no cost) and running a tune up (duh that was the service I asked for) and installing a virus scan and a spyware scan... Now while I think the virus scan and spyware scan is a good idea... my problem with that recommendation is THE COMPUTER HAS ONE ALREADY...2 spyware scans actually....and i told them that when i dropped it off... ARRRGGG ok so I am looking for your opinions on this.... |
ur getting ripped off ... dont do it...get ur computer back fast...like yesterday fast!!! ITS A TRAPFirst off, you may have a virus that is undetecable... sometimes if you surf pages that are **ahem***questionable, pop ups may contain malicious scripts that cause all types o havoc! So IMHO, save all your necessary files to a disk, and reformat... as far as XP running on 128 mb, your computer CAN handle it... its recommended... but more the better... there have been reports of computers running a stripped down xp on 64mbs of memory but i wouldnt try that.... Good luck and enclosed is a linky for comparable prices for memory MEMORY |
I am in never land limbo... I called, asked for the manager...conviently the manager (supposively) answered the phone... asked for their BEAR number (ca bureau of electronics and appliance repair) then told them my problem...she put me on hold....it has been ringing on and off for quite some time now...r great they just hung up on me and they have my deposit |
which i hear just sucks.... ah yes and now spybot and ad-aware should not be used |
DFD uses it for school work (SOS is the program type) and internet access.... including aim and whatever microsofts version of aim is.... She occassionally although rarely plays a SIMs game on it... and how hared is it to install memory your self? I am on my way to pick up my computer...oh and it is GEEK SQUAD if anyone cares... they want to sell me nortons for 49.995 plus install fee and spysweeper for 49.95 plus install fee....and they wont tell me the cost of memory...says it depends on what brand/type and current rebates I select |
DFD uses it for school work (SOS is the program type) and internet access.... including aim and whatever microsofts version of aim is.... She occassionally although rarely plays a SIMs game on it... and how hared is it to install memory your self? I am on my way to pick up my computer...oh and it is GEEK SQUAD if anyone cares... they want to sell me nortons for 49.995 plus install fee and spysweeper for 49.95 plus install fee....and they wont tell me the cost of memory...says it depends on what brand/type and current rebates I select |
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BEST BUY... damn...wish i was lil closer, but since you're in Kalifornia..sorry... I just posted a linky to the thread... if you want to, I can remote connect so i can see your specs and type of programs you have and make further recommendations... to remote connect you will need a hotmail or msn account... you can Im at [email protected]... I will be available after1700hours MST... Good luck |
well that's true, and memory prices change almost daily, but they should at least be able to give a price range and definitely give the labor price. as for installing it, it could be as easy as unscrewing one little panel and popping in a chip, or as complex as having to completely disasemble the case |
They don't care about you. They care about the greenbacks. If it's any consolation, we switched AWAY FROM NORTON, due to terrible customer support (and I was an enterprise customer! I can't imagine poor home users!) and a crappy product. Check your hometown forum, maybe someone close can help you? |
ok I can follow directions...but dont know alot about computers...thus the following question if installing new/upgraded memory...does that wipe out the programs that are there? or are they unaffected because they are on the hard drive? |
I dont have either...I have yahoo and sbcglobal and aohell accounts what is a remote connect? Frige should be home about 7pm PST time with computer.... at this point I just need the thing back...anything else can wait DFD comes home Friday and she needs it for her school work.... |
California thinks of everything, lol. |
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512 Mb is fine for XP- laptops are more difficult to work on then desktops. BUT- They're feeding you a lot of BS- AVG is good a-v software- they just don't like it because they can't make any money off of it. I'd say pick up the computer, and find a better repair shop. |
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I just got my work computer back from repair. After 2.5 years of alot of internet, AR15.com, porn and whatever, the machine was shot. I spent $300, this is what I got. New fans, on case and power supply New DVD player, faster New CD-R burner New DDR Motherboard New DDR 512 memory up fro PC133 128memory New XP 4 anti virus programs 3 anti spyware programs Everything installed and warrantied |
LOL we are members...appliance repair end...it is actually something I like....assuming you use someone licensed...they have to provide decent, good service...or answer to the governing state body |
the fans were one of my issues....we have 2 identical computers....Friges and DFDs....hers runs really hot compared to his.... |
That's not too shabby for $300. |
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Look on crucial.com ETA link for you www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM or newegg for Ram. you should be able to determine the correct type by the model of the laptop.. figure about 100 bucks, maxumim for 256 megs of ram, you can install it yourself with a phillips screwdriver. I'm sure one of us can look it up for you, what is your laptop model and brand? AVG is the only anti-virus I run. |
I have heard that over and over again over the years....hence why it is what all my computers have |
missed that the first time Dell Inspirion 1100 |
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128 megs is PLENTY TO RUN XP. I ran 128 megs for two years with my 1ghz PIII, now I have 256...the speed increase was not that significant. You said you'd already done spyware scans, but here's a useful list of utilitys to run regularly: Lavasoft AdAware SE Personal (Free) Spybot Search and Destroy (Free) Crap Cleaner (Free) Be sure to update AdAware and Spybot's data files periodically, I usually check every time I run them. Typical procedure, in order: 1. AdAware 2. Spybot, and Immunize, and enable browser and system protection. 3. Then I manually clean out anything else that might be remaining in my temp directories or Firefox/IE cache. 4. Then I clean out My Documents, getting rid of anything I don't want to keep. 5. Then I run CCleaner 6. Then I scandisk (open My Computer, right click on your hard disk or main hard disk, select "properties", then "tools"). 7. Then I run or schedule a Defrag I sometimes add Regclean (free) in there between steps 6 and 7, which is especially useful if you install/remove programs very frequently. It fixes and cleans up the windows system registry. If you follow this procedure every month or so, you should be able to maintain your system indefinitely. |
the computer has ad-aware for certain and I believe spybot on it...they are having a cow that I was running both...claims they cancel each other out.... havent run scan disc in ages (I do the maintence...including scan updates) I have run defrag and error checking on this computer... |
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i do this for a living by the way... they are right about the memory; 128mb is the bare minimum, 512mb is recommended. AVC is crap; i just had a computer in with AVC the had hundreds of infected files. norton has issues but it is still the best. i recommend adaware, spybot and microsoft for spyware protection but you have to keep it updated!!! if you get one of the really bad spywares (ie. aurora) download and run ewido from www.ewido.net. i would agree however your major problem is running xp with 128mb of ram... |
we have the cds...but if we do that she will loose alot of her school work.....which is what we are trying to avoid |
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first and formost..... what do you use the laptop for? 128mb ram may be fine for your application. more ram is usually better to a point. ie.. you want some free resources but 300mb of free ram may not buy you any performance over 128mb of free ram. if everything was running fine and out of the blue it began running slow you may have one or more of a few issues. a. spyware/viri. b. corrupt file sets or drivers c. processor failing <especially common on laptops due to high heat and low airflow with age they begin to fail. heat can also affect the memmory>. this is VERY common on low end entry level laptops. a and b can be easily fixed with a system reload. C requires replacement of processor and likely system board and fans. it is usually cheaper to replace the laptop than repaie unless it's under warranty. If you system was fine without the extra ram and you haven't loaded any particular new applications that require more, you likely don't have a need for more ram <that part is a scam>. If you know how to reload windows do it yourself. it's quicker than taking to the shop. Most of the morons behind the curtain at most pc shops are fucking clueless about how to reapir filesystems are remove viri. Their answer is to run a visus scan and if the file can't be repaired delete it. You can do that at home yourself for free. mike |
I have had nortons on another computer and had tons of issues with staying current....everything seemed to cost...I felt like I had thrown all of my money out the window.... and do you mean AVG/grisoft? I run ewido on the main computer but not on hers.... |
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256 megs for your dell inspiron 100 will cost you 32.74, plus a few bucks shipping from crucial. will take you about 5 minutes to install. Too much memory is rarely enough, I ran 256 minimums for years, I'd never run XP with only 128, especially on a laptop with integrated video.. It's actually a good Idea to run adaware and spybot together, they usually come up with one or two things the other missed. Those geek squad twits probably don't even have A+ certs...
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norton is garbage. IBM dropped it last year in favor of AVG for our corporate systems. Norton has some major compatibility issues and frankly their detection is behind panda and avg by more than 30days as a general rule. 512mb is reccomended based on office use of a full desktop system. It is only a recomendation as MS knows 99% of all apps will run at that level. it is not required to run xp for most apps. |
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does she have a CD burner??? I'm charging someone $200 today because he never made back ups of his 'super important presentation', and then dropped his laptop. or put it on a thumb drive if she doesn't have a CD burner- they're $30 at wal mart. |
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I build computers as a hobby. I have also done some computer work for local buisnesses here. Here are my comments/suggestions: 1. 128mb is NOT enough ram to run XP. In fact 256mb is still kind of slow. 512mb is preferred. 2. Order at least 256mb more ram from crucial.com. Follow their ram selection tool. You can only have 2 banks of chips. So, you could order 2 256mb banks, but you'll have to remove your 128mb bank. The 256mb memory banks should be about $40 each. 3. Adding RAM is about the easiest thing you can add to a laptop. If you can turn on the laptop, you can add crucial.com's memory. Don't pay anyone to add memeory. It's too easy. 4. Spyware is not anti-virus. Install Sybot and Adaware. Buy and install Norton 2005. 5. When using IE, perodically go in and delete temporary files under "tools" "Internet options". If you want to keep your computer running like new, reformat and re-install the operating system every year. First burn your important files/documents on a cd. Then re-format the hard drive and install the OS from scratch. Best of luck. |
no burner...auxicillary disc drive for necessary back up...(unless file is small enough to email and then we back up from main computer) It is an interactive program and I need to call tech support for them to figure out what would need backing up....I know some of the work they have via sychronization of the system but I dont know how much is necessary to back up... everything else is backed up already...I made her do that before she left... |
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get your machine from them tell them they are idiots and hang up the phon. these guys are incompetant. |
Great. Do you have the newest versions? Adaware just release a new version (1.6?) about a month ago. Sybot most current is 1.3. Add the memory and if that doesn't fix the problem, then burn all your documents/files to a CD and reformat/reinstall the OS. My Inspiron 1100 had a CD burner. Does yours? Do you know how to burn a CD? |
if she has a backup copy- THAT HAS BEEN USED AND CAN BE COUNTED ON, reformat and reinstall the oS- IS it XP on the computer in question?? BTW- get away from Internet Explorer from Micro$oft. I like the 'Opera" browser. www.google.com/search?q=download+opera&sourceid=opera&num=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8 |
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i'll say this one last time. correct your software issues before you spend one dime on upgrades. you will likely find you don't need it for the applications you reported. 128mb will run fine IF the system is properly configured. until it becomes stable the ram upgrade should be the LAST thing you do. If you do in fact have a heat related system board or processor issue you could potentially damage the new ram. VERFIY THE HARDWARE IS STABLE BEFORE UPGRADING THAT RAM. I do work on those for a living. Dell and IBM certified engineer for the last 12 years covering everything from pc's-servers to IBM main frames. |
are you saying to reformat/ reinstall??? should she put Prime 95 on there and run it for a day or two?? or just assume it's stable if she doesn't see any overt problems???? just wanted to clarify. |
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They're probably too dumb to understand how AdAware and Spybot work then. AdAware and Spybot don't cancel each other out, but it is POSSIBLE for one or the other to mistake the definition files for actual infection. In all the time I've been running them, neither has EVER made that mistake. The first time I ran CCleaner, I was stunned at how much crap it cleaned up. I ran it four or five times in a row, each time it found more stuff, then it finally reported "clean". Jim |
I've built my last three computers; I currently have two XP machines running 256 megs just fine. When money allows, I would always build a computer today with a gigabyte of ram. I wouldn't go higher on modern operating systems, the gains just aren't there. When I build a 64 bit machine, I'll look into whether more than a gig is useful. I really don't see why people think 128 megs is so inappropriate for XP. I ran XP with MS Office, Matlab, and a browser simultaneously with 128. I noticed somewhat of a speed increase when I doubled the RAM, but not really a lot. I mainly needed the extra ram to do enormous Matlab simulations without hitting the memory barrier. Jim |
Aha, integrated video. That may explain why it would be a problem on a laptop with shared memory, but not so much on a desktop with a 32 meg (in my 1ghz machine's case) video card. I kept the AGP window small until I doubled the ram, and even with a small window it ran things like Quake III Arena like a bat out of hell...so to speak. Jim |