More RAM???

[blazer2boy]

I have a Compaq deskpro P3 500mhz with 128mb running Windows NT.
We have several Apps. open at the same time these can include
Excel, Lotus Notes, Tops (property management software), Word
and the internet. We have noticed a slowdown in the Applications.

If we were to add more RAM would that help at all. What does adding more RAM do to the preformance of the machine?

[coulditbemagic]

Your computer attempts to do all the jobs you ask it to do simutaneously.
Sometimes there is not enough memory to do all that you ask. Then, in order to still do what you asked, he pages in and out to your hard drive things that he doesn't need at the moment to free up enough memory to still keep your tasks running. This greatly increases the time it takes to finish your tasks.
If you add more memory it means less paging(swapping in and out program code). Thus your tasks will finish quicker....

[Paleo Pete]

You can also try and shut down any unneeded applications that run in the background.

Compaq's have a ton of background applications, and they almost always cause performance deterioration. Run msconfig (Start\Run, type msconfig)and uncheck the ones that aren't necessary, and remove anything from the start up folder (Start\Settings\Taskbar and Start Menu) that is not needed.

In msconfig you need to leave:
Scan Registry
Task Monitor
System Tray
Load Power Profile
Virus scanner
You can disable almost anything else.

With that many large applications running, more memory certainly won't hurt. I think Compaq uses proprietary memory, be prepared to pay for their name on it. My sister tried standard RAM in her Compaq, it refused to use it. The comparable Compaq memory costs 3 times as much or more.

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[mjc]

You don't abolutely need to have the virus scan on all the time if it can be configured to come on when you go on line. So check the documentation for it and maybe you save a little bit of memory and other resorces there, too. But if it can't be configured that way then leave it on all the time. Also a good firewall program that comes on when you go online will add some safety. I use ZoneAlarm and like it alot. It can be configured to disallow all sorts of apps from contacting the 'Net.

As far as Compaq's memory being "proprietary" I'm not sure but I do know that "generic" memory won't cut it "premium' might work but anyway they are one of the more expensive machines to upgrade memory on. With memory prices being low now if you shop around you should be able to do it fairly reasonably. Just check the specs on your current memory and whatever documentation you have to find whats compatible.

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mjc

[kenja]

When my Compaq Presario was running Windows 98, discovering "msconfig" was truly a revelation!

Assuming you've got NT4, a roughly equivalent (and more) program to "msconfig" is "Task Manager"; it displays running applications and processes. I access it by pressing CTRL+ALT+DELETE; there are also two other methods: CTRL+SHIFT+ESC or "right click" on the Task Bar.

The Task Manager "Performance" tab will clearly show your memory usage.

"Crucial" has an ad on the PC Guide homepage. I don't know the model of your Deskpro; I can highly recommend Crucial as a reliable source of memory.

Could your slowdown be due to not defragmenting the hard drive?

[bassman]

When I bought my Compaq laptop, I put in a 128mg PNC? A little over a doller a meg at the time and have had no trouble with it. I think they figured out that the proprietary thing was not working. Good luck

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I want to be like Pete

[Paleo Pete]

I have to correct myself, the memory issue was not due to Compaq requiring only their memory, although the machine's manual says so. What actually happened was the memory is 128MB and only shows 64MB. The machine only supports single-sided memory, so it won't use all of it, only the 64MB on one side. It's in there now, working, but only one side is being used. I thought it wouldn't work at all and had been removed, but it turned out I was mistaken.

------------------
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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