[Larry7909]

Hi Geeks, I have a 5 year old HP/ Windows XP with 3.7GHz 504mb of Ram. I run Photoshop and just download Lightroom 3. I bet you know what the problem is! Yep, soooo very slow. Can you help me ? I think I need more Ram, is that the problem? If so can you tell me what to buy and how to install it? What I know about computers I have learned right here. (THANK YOU) Do you think I can do the job? I have always been able to follow your instruction, you guys make that easy.
Thanks Again,
Fran

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Most certainly, you can do the job, post the model of HP and I will give you the full instructions

[Macboatmaster]

Most certainly, you can do the job, post the model of HP and I will give you the full instructions

[Macboatmaster]

Use this to scan your computer and my recommendation is to buy the ram from here.
The prices are reasonable and the advantage is that the guarantee is very solid.
It is ONLY my recommendation and there are of course many other places to buy ram.
Pls note that this provided link is not to be taken as indicating that this forum recommends Crucial orhas any links with that business.
http://www.crucial.c...:20100919185324

The link will tell you what you have and what you can have.
Most likely I would think you have two sticks of 256Mb ram and could I think have probably 2Gb, but when you provide the model of HP I will confirm and send you the instructions, which basically are the same for all desktops and slightly different for laptops. Most laptops are extremely easy, some are difficult, as the keyboard has to be removed.
HOWEVER - do not worry I am sure it will be solved and you will succeed.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 19 September 2010 - 01:00 PM.

[Larry7909]

Most certainly, you can do the job, post the model of HP and I will give you the full instructions

Hi Macboatmaster, My computer is a HP Pavilion A111ON,
Thank you for your help.

[Larry7909]

Use this to scan your computer and my recommendation is to buy the ram from here.
The prices are reasonable and the advantage is that the guarantee is very solid.
It is ONLY my recommendation and there are of course many other places to buy ram.
Pls note that this provided link is not to be taken as indicating that this forum recommends Crucial orhas any links with that business.
http://www.crucial.c...:20100919185324

The link will tell you what you have and what you can have.
Most likely I would think you have two sticks of 256Mb ram and could I think have probably 2Gb, but when you provide the model of HP I will confirm and send you the instructions, which basically are the same for all desktops and slightly different for laptops. Most laptops are extremely easy, some are difficult, as the keyboard has to be removed.
HOWEVER - do not worry I am sure it will be solved and you will succeed.

Hey Macboatmaster, I ran the scan, I have 512mb in one slot and one empty slot. I can have up to 2Gb. There are two speeds, PC2700, PC3200, I take it 3200 is faster, right? So I want to buy 2 1Gb DDR3200? Also my PC supports dual channel memory can you tell me what that is. Thank You

[The Noodle]

Remember Larry that you may be able to find the parts you need cheaper if you don't live in the UK as Crucial appears to ship from there. Have a look here for Crucial's shipping policies.

Edited by The Noodle, 20 September 2010 - 12:02 AM.

[SpywareDr]

There are two speeds, PC2700, PC3200, I take it 3200 is faster, right?

Yes.

So I want to buy 2 1Gb DDR3200? Also my PC supports dual channel memory can you tell me what that is.

Wikipedia: Dual-channel architecture
http://en.wikipedia....ki/Dual_channel

Dual-channel architecture describes a technology that theoretically doubles data throughput from the memory to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a 128-bit data path.

[...continues...]

[Macboatmaster]

http://h10025.www1.h...d=reg_R1002_UKE
The HP link for your computer

http://h20000.www2.h...78&locale=en_US
Your motherboard in that computer


According to my research the ram supported is 333Mhz which is PC2700

and here are the instructions for ading the ram.
http://h10025.www1.h...en&dlc=en&cc=uk

The job is simple, the most important advice I can give is
1. Shut down in the normal manner, unplug the power cord, take the computer to a hard surface such as the breakfast bar etc. DO not work on nylon carpet etc, the danger is static electricity. As it is unlikely that you have a wrist grounding strap, when you have opened the case, touch both hands onto the case, before you touch the ram. Handle the ram ONLY by the edges of the cards, do not touch, any part of the printed circuitry.
Take your time, ensure you line up the sloct in the base of the ram card, with the slot in the connection on the motherboard, push gently on the top edges of the card at both ends and then close the clips, check that the clips have seated in the curved slots on each edge of the card. All the diagrams are here.

If your computer has NOT been adapted these are the correct specifications and it did NOT have dual channel processing.
If your computer ONLY has two ram slots on the motherboard then you simply insert 1Gb in each as you said.
You will notice no real diference between PC2700 and 3200 so my advice is to go for the 2700 which HP say is supported.
Your motherboard is an Asus P4GVLA. However you will glean no information from the Asus site. as these motherboards were supplied to OEMS (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ie: HP and no details are available from Asus.

In summary - you will notice a tremendous difference with 2Gb from your present half Gb (512) Referencing other posts, yes you will need to decide where to buy, but be careful about buying from other than recognised suppliers like Crucial, as there are on the internet, some examples of cheap unreliable ram, with very poor guarantees, if you find you have a duff stick of it.

And finally just for your interest an explanation of dual channel and everthing else to do with ram
http://www.hardwares...l-Channel/133/3

Edited by Macboatmaster, 20 September 2010 - 01:19 PM.

[Larry7909]

[quote name='Macboatmaster' timestamp='1284988787' post='1903327']
http://h10025.www1.h...d=reg_R1002_UKE
The HP link for your computer

http://h20000.www2.h...78&locale=en_US
Your motherboard in that computer


According to my research the ram supported is 333Mhz which is PC2700

and here are the instructions for ading the ram.
http://h10025.www1.h...en&dlc=en&cc=uk

The job is simple, the most important advice I can give is
1. Shut down in the normal manner, unplug the power cord, take the computer to a hard surface such as the breakfast bar etc. DO not work on nylon carpet etc, the danger is static electricity. As it is unlikely that you have a wrist grounding strap, when you have opened the case, touch both hands onto the case, before you touch the ram. Handle the ram ONLY by the edges of the cards, do not touch, any part of the printed circuitry.
Take your time, ensure you line up the sloct in the base of the ram card, with the slot in the connection on the motherboard, push gently on the top edges of the card at both ends and then close the clips, check that the clips have seated in the curved slots on each edge of the card. All the diagrams are here.

If your computer has NOT been adapted these are the correct specifications and it did NOT have dual channel processing.
If your computer ONLY has two ram slots on the motherboard then you simply insert 1Gb in each as you said.
You will notice no real diference between PC2700 and 3200 so my advice is to go for the 2700 which HP say is supported.
Your motherboard is an Asus P4GVLA. However you will clean no information from the Asus site. as these motherboards were supplied to OEMS (Original Equipment Manufacturer) ie: HP and no details are available from Asus.

In summary - you will notice a tremendous difference with 2Gb from your present half Gb (512) Referencing other posts, yes you will need to decide where to buy, but be careful about buying from other than recognised suppliers like Crucial, as there are on the internet, some examples of cheap unreliable ram, with very poor guarantees, if you find you have a duff stick of it.

And finally just for your interest an explanation of dual channel and everthing else to do with ram
http://www.hardwares...l-Channel/133/3


Hi Macboatmaster,
You have made this easy for me to understand,Thank You. I will be heading to town today, taking your posts with me.( I live in Texas U.S.A. Long way to town. LOL ) I'll let you know. Thanks again Fran

[Larry7909]

There are two speeds, PC2700, PC3200, I take it 3200 is faster, right?

Yes.

So I want to buy 2 1Gb DDR3200? Also my PC supports dual channel memory can you tell me what that is.

Wikipedia: Dual-channel architecture
http://en.wikipedia....ki/Dual_channel

Dual-channel architecture describes a technology that theoretically doubles data throughput from the memory to the memory controller. Dual-channel-enabled memory controllers utilize two 64-bit data channels, resulting in a 128-bit data path.

[...continues...]

Spyware Dr. You guys are great, Thank You

[Larry7909]

Remember Larry that you may be able to find the parts you need cheaper if you don't live in the UK as Crucial appears to ship from there. Have a look here for Crucial's shipping policies.

Hi Noodle, I live in Texas, USA so ordering from the UK is not option for me. Thank you for pointing this out to me.
Again Thank You

[Macboatmaster]

Just go to crucial and order on the US site its free shipping
http://www.crucial.c...e/shipping.aspx

[The Noodle]

There you go, there's always another option

[Larry7909]

Just go to crucial and order on the US site its free shipping
http://www.crucial.c...e/shipping.aspx

Hi Macboatmaster, I was on my way to town and missed your post. But I did buy and install the memory, You were right,what an improvement. Awesome. Thank you very much.

[Macboatmaster]

Pleased for you, what did you actually get and do you need any other help.
When did you last empty your temp files etc and clean up.
http://www.atribune....id=25&Itemid=25
This is excellent, you may safely check all boxes, but BE AWARE THAT IT WILL delete any saved passwords, for websites, it will NOT effect Windows passwords, nor your favourites or bookmarks.

This one is a Microsoft Security Scan and will highlight any deficiencies and tell you what to do
http://technet.micro...y/cc184923.aspx
It does not evaluate your anti-virus.

This one is rather basic so please do not be insulted
http://www.microsoft...mproveperf.mspx

This is ONE of the best malware scanners and is highly recommended by Geeks to Go
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

AND I am notsuggesting you would OR have, but here is why you should never use any registry cleaner or "make your PC go faster booster programme"
http://miekiemoes.bl...weaking_13.html

Edited by Macboatmaster, 22 September 2010 - 03:10 AM.