Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / more ram?

Author
Message
mike5424
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 22:23
Link
i was thinking about getting more ram for my laptop. i don't know how hard it would be though. Would i risk breaking it? also how much would it cost? i have a hp compaq nx9105 and i don't want to get a new laptop(i like this one).

madninjas.co.nr
mike5424.dragonadopters.com
http://www.blizzardpets.com/register.php?ref=mike5424
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Venge
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Sep 2006
Location: Iowa
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 22:31
Link
Laptops usually aren't upgradeable...Some manufacturers even put the ram between the motherboard and keyboard so you can't get to it. You may be able to take it to a specialist for upgrades, but I'm pretty sure opening the case yourself might void your warranty. Vista and Windows 7 also have ReadyBoost, which uses a USB flash drive as RAM, much like HDD page files, but a bit faster.

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
-Mark Twain
Back to top
Profile PM
mike5424
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 22:37
Link
I have xp, well i have the install CD for vista but not enough ram

Maybe i should just leave it, I don't trust specialists.

madninjas.co.nr
mike5424.dragonadopters.com
http://www.blizzardpets.com/register.php?ref=mike5424
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 22:39 Edited at: 7th Aug 2009 22:42
Link
Crucial's website is usually a good place to look, it has a tool that'll detect the max ram you can get, how much you have installed and how many slot you have free as well as the specific ram you can used.

It proved handy when upgraded my desktop. But Venge is right, usually laptops aren't upgradable or at least the manufacturer builds them to a spec where you mother board doesn't need any upgrades, for example my graphics card is a Geforce 9500M GS, the best card tha'll work is the 9650M GS...it's hardly worth it and my RAM is maxed out.

Though personally I think you're better off keeping XP (more compatible and more reliable than Vista), if you really want to upgrade your OS, wait for Windows 7, you can pre-order it and it's just around the corner. If you've recently purchased Vista I believe you can get Windows 7 for free...or at a discount. The RC is already freely availible (I'm running it now and haven't booted up in Vista since)

Back to top
Profile PM Website
Venge
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Sep 2006
Location: Iowa
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 22:44
Link
Looks like you can upgrade the RAM in some laptops (video). I don't know if yours is like the one described there, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to look.

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
-Mark Twain
Back to top
Profile PM
mike5424
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:00
Link
Windows 7...... Nah, I'm happy with xp (the vista CD is my dads). But i was thinking about installing Linux on a portable hard drive and i was wondering, what ram would that need? And the price? I was looking on ebay and found Linux xp for £3.00, is Linux xp good?

Then i thought about my usb ports (they aren't very good) then i saw something about running Linux from a CD?!? Could that work?

madninjas.co.nr
mike5424.dragonadopters.com
http://www.blizzardpets.com/register.php?ref=mike5424
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Mr Z
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2007
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:01 Edited at: 7th Aug 2009 23:09
Link
What is your laptop? If you can find some sort of document about it (like if you make a google search for the model), you can find out if you can upgrade it.

Quote: "Windows 7...... Nah, I'm happy with xp (the vista CD is my dads). But i was thinking about installing Linux on a portable hard drive and i was wondering, what ram would that need? And the price? I was looking on ebay and found Linux xp for £3.00, is Linux xp good?

Then i thought about my usb ports (they aren't very good) then i saw something about running Linux from a CD?!? Could that work?"


Have not tried that version of Linux, but in my experience some dists can be very good, others very bad, it all depend on what you want and what hardware you have (lets face it, you can find the most user-friendly OS there is, but without drivers you won´t be able to use it).

A live-CD, running Linux from the CD, has its uses, but casual use is not one of them. Would rather recommend using a virtual machine (like Virtual Box, or VMWare, but then you would not be able to use 3d stuff), or maybe wubi (which is limited to Ubuntu and maybe some of its side-tracks, such as Xubuntu). A dual boot can also work, but is not recommended if you are not willing to experiment on the computer in question.

And as for RAM requierments, it depends. Some can run on as low as 32 mb ram, others require more. Have not seen anyone that is as demanding as Vista, though (not saying it does not exist, just that I have not seen it).

"Operator! Give me the number for 911!"
- Homer J. Simpson
Back to top
Profile PM Email
mike5424
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:07
Link
Thanks but i have decided against upgrading.

madninjas.co.nr
mike5424.dragonadopters.com
http://www.blizzardpets.com/register.php?ref=mike5424
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Mr Z
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th Oct 2007
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:10 Edited at: 7th Aug 2009 23:14
Link
Ok, your loss I guess. More RAM is always good, and I have yet to meet any specialist who cannot upgrade the ram. Anyway, your choice.

"Operator! Give me the number for 911!"
- Homer J. Simpson
Back to top
Profile PM Email
heyufool1
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 14th Feb 2009
Location: My quiet place
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:15
Link
I'm just curious Mike, what are your laptops specs?

Use Google first... it's not rocket surgery!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
mike5424
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 7th Aug 2009 23:41
Link
when i right click on the "my computer tab" in the start menu then select properties, in the bottom right, it says:
Quote: "
Mobile and semperon[tm]
prossesor 2800+
797 mhz, 256 mb of ram
"

thats all the specs i know how to find.

madninjas.co.nr
mike5424.dragonadopters.com
http://www.blizzardpets.com/register.php?ref=mike5424
Back to top
Profile PM Email
SunnyKatt
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 16th Sep 2006
Location: USA
Posted: 8th Aug 2009 01:21 Edited at: 8th Aug 2009 01:22
Link
Yeah, that is a pretty crappy laptop. I would just consider getting a new one, really.

A <1 ghz processor is always a bad thing.

Join Nation Of Design - A large volunteer graphic making team!

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
the_winch
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 1st Feb 2003
Location: Oxford, UK
Posted: 8th Aug 2009 03:24 Edited at: 8th Aug 2009 03:26
Link
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11900_div/11900_div.HTML

Quote: "
Standard Memory Plus Optional Memory
Support for up to 2048 MB of 333-MHz DDR SDRAM memory is available with the installation of optional DDR SDRAM Memory Kits.
Zero memory on system board
2 Slots total
1 - 128-MB, 1-256-MB or 512-MB DIMM installed in Slot 1
1 - Additional open Memory Slot
NOTE: 1 slot user accessible-located underneath the unit, 1 slot located underneath the keyboard deck.
"


Get a 1Gb stick and put in in the empty user accessible slot and it should be a lot better.
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=Business Notebook nx9105

By way of demonstration, he emitted a batlike squeak that was indeed bothersome.
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-06-07 06:54:11
Your offset time is: 2025-06-07 06:54:11