how much RAM?

[Denise]

I'm running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 4443 with 60
MB RAM. We bought this computer used, and the idiot who
had it before us didn't know that XP takes up more space
than 98. If I get more RAM, will XP run more smoothly?
Now, it's really slow, crashes a lot, and I've been
getting a message at start up that says "Operating System
not Found". Will more RAM solve my problem? What could be
causing it to say "Operating System Not found?" A few
minutes later it always starts up just fine. If I get
more RAM will I still have to go back to another version
of windows, Or can I even buy Windows 98 anymore?

[Nicholas]

Visit www.crucial.com and order either 256 or 512MB of RAM
and you'll think your computer is turbo-charged!

--=20
Nicholas

-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----

"Denise" > wrote in message:
...

| I'm running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 4443 with 60=20
| MB RAM. We bought this computer used, and the idiot who=20
| had it before us didn't know that XP takes up more space=20
| than 98. If I get more RAM, will XP run more smoothly? =20
| Now, it's really slow, crashes a lot, and I've been=20
| getting a message at start up that says "Operating System=20
| not Found". Will more RAM solve my problem? What could be=20
| causing it to say "Operating System Not found?" A few=20
| minutes later it always starts up just fine. If I get=20
| more RAM will I still have to go back to another version=20
| of windows, Or can I even buy Windows 98 anymore? =20
|

[D.Currie]

But before you do that, check to make sure your computer can handle that
much ram, as well as how much per slot. If you are showing 60 MB you might
have 2 - 32 Mb modules, and 4 MB used by shared video memory. If all you
have is 60 MB of ram, that isn't enough. The minimum to get XP to function
on any sort of level is 128, and 256 is a much better bet. Some people find
that 512 is the sweet spot, but it depends on what you plan on doing with
the computer

Also, you commented about the *idiot* who didn't know that XP takes more
space, so you think you need ram. Well, "not enough space" refers to hard
drive space rather than memory. Yes, XP takes more physical space, but space
and memory are two different things. How big is the hard drive? Adding more
ram will not solve a problem where you are out of physical space. So besides
needing RAM, you're might need a larger hard drive as well if you are truly
getting messages about not having enough space. Or it could be that the
person left a lot of junk on the drive that could be removed to free up
space. Or it could be that your messages are referring to memory, but you're
reporting it incorrectly. If you give the exact message, we might be able to
sort it out.

And after that comes the question of whether you got a legal copy of Windows
with the computer, since the next thing I'd suggest is loading the OS fresh,
to get rid of whatever junk might have been left by the previous owner. No
sense in carrying around his garbage and/or mistakes. A clean install might
solve some of the problems you are seeing.

And no, 98 isn't available retail any more. You might be able to get the
recovery CDs from HP for whatever the original OS was, though. Which might
be a better bet overall. That way you'll have drivers for everything, which
will save you a whole lot of time and pain setting things up.

If you check the HP web site for the product, you'll see that they don't
guarantee that this computer will be compatible with XP.

As for the "no os found" message, it means that the computer is looking
where it's been told the OS is, and it isn't finding it. It could be as
simple as having a floppy disk in the drive at startup, or a software error
when it's reading the drive, or it could be that the drive or the drive
controller is failing. That sort of thing is hard to figure out at a
distance.

So, the bottom line is that if you can do the work yourself, and if you
don't need too many new parts, you might be able to cobble together a
working computer. If you need to pay someone to do these things for you,
it's not going to be much of a bargain. You could easily find yourself
spending hundreds of dollars on parts and labor, one piece at a time, only
to find that this computer isn't going to do what you want it to do. On the
other hand if this is a fun project to learn about computers, you're on the
right track. Let's just hope you didn't spend too much on that computer.

"Nicholas" > wrote in message
...
Visit www.crucial.com and order either 256 or 512MB of RAM
and you'll think your computer is turbo-charged!

--
Nicholas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--

"Denise" > wrote in message:
...

| I'm running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 4443 with 60
| MB RAM. We bought this computer used, and the idiot who
| had it before us didn't know that XP takes up more space
| than 98. If I get more RAM, will XP run more smoothly?
| Now, it's really slow, crashes a lot, and I've been
| getting a message at start up that says "Operating System
| not Found". Will more RAM solve my problem? What could be
| causing it to say "Operating System Not found?" A few
| minutes later it always starts up just fine. If I get
| more RAM will I still have to go back to another version
| of windows, Or can I even buy Windows 98 anymore?
|

[Denise]

I know my computer can only handle 256. I meant that XP
takes more memory, not physical space. I'm not getting
messages about memory or space. And no, the OS isn't
legal. He copied the files from someone else's computer,
saved it to a disk, and loaded it to this one. I'm trying
to get out of having to buy a $200 copy of XP, especially
since I don't have enough memory to run XP smoothly. If I
have to do that, I may as well buy a new computer. That's
why I was wanting to know if I could just find a copy of
98, because that would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need any
more memory to run it. The front of the CPU
says "Designed for Microsoft Windows 98". I know that's
the OS that came on it, but I can't find the files
anywhere, so I'm assuming he got rid of the 98 files.
However, when I run Disc Clean, it asks if I want to
delete the Windows 98/Me installation files. It is a HUGE
file, but I can't find it.

So you think a recovery disc would help things? Would it
still tell me "OS not found? I just don't want to spend a
lot getting the recovery disc and adding memory only to
find out that the hard drive is fried. Would it just be
safer financially to buy a new computer?

Denise


>But before you do that, check to make sure your computer
can handle that
>much ram, as well as how much per slot. Or it could be
that your messages are referring to memory, but you're
>reporting it incorrectly. If you give the exact message,
we might be able to
>sort it out.
>
>And after that comes the question of whether you got a
legal copy of Windows
>with the computer, since the next thing I'd suggest is
loading the OS fresh,
>to get rid of whatever junk might have been left by the
previous owner. >

> You might be able to get the
>recovery CDs from HP for whatever the original OS was,
though. Which might
>be a better bet overall.

[Gerry Cornell]

Denise

An OEM version of Window 98 was often put in C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS\CAB. =
Windows XP hides system files. You need to enable show hidden files. =
Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Advanced Settings.

What is your processor speed?

Have you tried:

1. Downloading Adaware from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ =
and using it to remove parasites.

2. Running Disk Cleanup. Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, =
Disk Cleanup.


--=20
~~~~~~


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tell the newsgroup how any=20
suggested solution worked for you.
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Denise" > wrote in message =
...
>=20
> I know my computer can only handle 256. I meant that XP=20
> takes more memory, not physical space. I'm not getting=20
> messages about memory or space. And no, the OS isn't=20
> legal. He copied the files from someone else's computer,=20
> saved it to a disk, and loaded it to this one. I'm trying=20
> to get out of having to buy a $200 copy of XP, especially=20
> since I don't have enough memory to run XP smoothly. If I=20
> have to do that, I may as well buy a new computer. That's=20
> why I was wanting to know if I could just find a copy of=20
> 98, because that would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need any=20
> more memory to run it. The front of the CPU=20
> says "Designed for Microsoft Windows 98". I know that's=20
> the OS that came on it, but I can't find the files=20
> anywhere, so I'm assuming he got rid of the 98 files. =20
> However, when I run Disc Clean, it asks if I want to=20
> delete the Windows 98/Me installation files. It is a HUGE=20
> file, but I can't find it. =20
>=20
> So you think a recovery disc would help things? Would it=20
> still tell me "OS not found? I just don't want to spend a=20
> lot getting the recovery disc and adding memory only to=20
> find out that the hard drive is fried. Would it just be=20
> safer financially to buy a new computer? =20
>=20
> Denise
>=20
>=20
> >But before you do that, check to make sure your computer=20
> can handle that
> >much ram, as well as how much per slot. Or it could be=20
> that your messages are referring to memory, but you're
> >reporting it incorrectly. If you give the exact message,=20
> we might be able to
> >sort it out.
> >
> >And after that comes the question of whether you got a=20
> legal copy of Windows
> >with the computer, since the next thing I'd suggest is=20
> loading the OS fresh,
> >to get rid of whatever junk might have been left by the=20
> previous owner. >
>=20
> > You might be able to get the
> >recovery CDs from HP for whatever the original OS was,=20
> though. Which might
> >be a better bet overall.

[D.Currie]

"Denise" > wrote in message
...
>
> I know my computer can only handle 256. I meant that XP
> takes more memory, not physical space. I'm not getting
> messages about memory or space.

Then I guess that begs the question of why you think either is a problem. XP
does require more ram than 98, and it also uses more physical space, but if
the computer has what it needs, it runs just fine.

And no, the OS isn't
> legal. He copied the files from someone else's computer,
> saved it to a disk, and loaded it to this one.

That would be a deal-breaker for me. Moral issues aside, if he's comfortable
stealing from someone else to sell/give things to you, what makes you think
he's being honest with you?

I'm trying
> to get out of having to buy a $200 copy of XP, especially
> since I don't have enough memory to run XP smoothly.

Then the answer is to use another OS.

If I
> have to do that, I may as well buy a new computer. That's
> why I was wanting to know if I could just find a copy of
> 98, because that would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need any
> more memory to run it.

Well, retail versions of 98 are gone from the market, unless you can find
one used, but I've found that legal copies of OSs aren't that easy to find.
Most people keep them for use as qualifying products for upgrades, or to run
older computers for compatibility with older software or hardware that they
have. As far as it being cheaper, MS doesn't really lower the prices on
their OSs as they get older. You might get lucky and find some reseller
who's got leftover stockl that he's willing to dump at a loss, but other
than that, it's not going to be much less than comparable versions of XP
Home.

The front of the CPU
> says "Designed for Microsoft Windows 98". I know that's
> the OS that came on it, but I can't find the files
> anywhere, so I'm assuming he got rid of the 98 files.
> However, when I run Disc Clean, it asks if I want to
> delete the Windows 98/Me installation files. It is a HUGE
> file, but I can't find it.

You might be able to uninstall XP in that case, by going to add and remove
programs and seeing if XP is listed there. However, just because it's saying
that the other files are there, it doesn't mean that ALL the files are
there. You won't know until you try it, and it still leaves you without a
way to reinstall the OS if you need it.

>
> So you think a recovery disc would help things?

It would give you a way to do a clean install of the OS, which is the first
thing I'd recommend.

Well, actaully, I'd recommend taking the thing back to where you got it, as
I personally wouldn't trust the seller. And if you're not good with
hardware, you never know what else might not be in good condition.

Would it
> still tell me "OS not found?

Perhaps. It depends on what's causing the error.

I just don't want to spend a
> lot getting the recovery disc and adding memory only to
> find out that the hard drive is fried. Would it just be
> safer financially to buy a new computer?

You can check with HP and see what the recovery disk will cost. If it's $25
that's not a big risk and you wouldn't need more memory. As far as whether a
new computer would be better, it depends on the specs of that computer, what
upgrades might have been done on it since it was new, and if it's having
hardware problems or not. It also depends on if that computer will do what
you want it to.

With a new computer, you'll get a warranty and some sort of technical
support; what that's worth is up to you.
..

[Lance Hill]

----- Original Message -----
From: "D.Currie" >
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 8:03 PM
Subject: Re: how much RAM?


>
> If I
> > have to do that, I may as well buy a new computer. That's
> > why I was wanting to know if I could just find a copy of
> > 98, because that would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need any
> > more memory to run it.
>
> Well, retail versions of 98 are gone from the market, unless you can find
> one used, but I've found that legal copies of OSs aren't that easy to
find.


Believe or not, WinME is still available at my local CompUSA store - $100
upgrade, $200 for the full version. That should do OK on a Win98 machine,
but what a waste, it's the same price as WinXP home.

Lance
*****

[D.Currie]

"Lance Hill" > wrote in message
...
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "D.Currie" >
> Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain
> Sent: Monday, July 07, 2003 8:03 PM
> Subject: Re: how much RAM?
>
>
> >
> > If I
> > > have to do that, I may as well buy a new computer. That's
> > > why I was wanting to know if I could just find a copy of
> > > 98, because that would be cheaper, and I wouldn't need any
> > > more memory to run it.
> >
> > Well, retail versions of 98 are gone from the market, unless you can
find
> > one used, but I've found that legal copies of OSs aren't that easy to
> find.
>
>
> Believe or not, WinME is still available at my local CompUSA store - $100
> upgrade, $200 for the full version. That should do OK on a Win98 machine,
> but what a waste, it's the same price as WinXP home.
>
> Lance
> *****
>
Oh, I know it's still for sale, but I hate recommending it. I recommend XP,
and if people don't want it, my next offer is 98, as it's still available as
OEM. I try to avoid mentioning ME and most people confuse it with 2000
anyway, and explaining that just gives me a headache.

[Unknown]

Crucial gives that information.
"D.Currie" > wrote in message
...
> But before you do that, check to make sure your computer can handle that
> much ram, as well as how much per slot. If you are showing 60 MB you might
> have 2 - 32 Mb modules, and 4 MB used by shared video memory. If all you
> have is 60 MB of ram, that isn't enough. The minimum to get XP to function
> on any sort of level is 128, and 256 is a much better bet. Some people
find
> that 512 is the sweet spot, but it depends on what you plan on doing with
> the computer
>
> Also, you commented about the *idiot* who didn't know that XP takes more
> space, so you think you need ram. Well, "not enough space" refers to hard
> drive space rather than memory. Yes, XP takes more physical space, but
space
> and memory are two different things. How big is the hard drive? Adding
more
> ram will not solve a problem where you are out of physical space. So
besides
> needing RAM, you're might need a larger hard drive as well if you are
truly
> getting messages about not having enough space. Or it could be that the
> person left a lot of junk on the drive that could be removed to free up
> space. Or it could be that your messages are referring to memory, but
you're
> reporting it incorrectly. If you give the exact message, we might be able
to
> sort it out.
>
> And after that comes the question of whether you got a legal copy of
Windows
> with the computer, since the next thing I'd suggest is loading the OS
fresh,
> to get rid of whatever junk might have been left by the previous owner. No
> sense in carrying around his garbage and/or mistakes. A clean install
might
> solve some of the problems you are seeing.
>
> And no, 98 isn't available retail any more. You might be able to get the
> recovery CDs from HP for whatever the original OS was, though. Which might
> be a better bet overall. That way you'll have drivers for everything,
which
> will save you a whole lot of time and pain setting things up.
>
> If you check the HP web site for the product, you'll see that they don't
> guarantee that this computer will be compatible with XP.
>
> As for the "no os found" message, it means that the computer is looking
> where it's been told the OS is, and it isn't finding it. It could be as
> simple as having a floppy disk in the drive at startup, or a software
error
> when it's reading the drive, or it could be that the drive or the drive
> controller is failing. That sort of thing is hard to figure out at a
> distance.
>
> So, the bottom line is that if you can do the work yourself, and if you
> don't need too many new parts, you might be able to cobble together a
> working computer. If you need to pay someone to do these things for you,
> it's not going to be much of a bargain. You could easily find yourself
> spending hundreds of dollars on parts and labor, one piece at a time, only
> to find that this computer isn't going to do what you want it to do. On
the
> other hand if this is a fun project to learn about computers, you're on
the
> right track. Let's just hope you didn't spend too much on that computer.
>
> "Nicholas" > wrote in message
> ...
> Visit www.crucial.com and order either 256 or 512MB of RAM
> and you'll think your computer is turbo-charged!
>
> --
> Nicholas
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
> --
>
> "Denise" > wrote in message:
> ...
>
> | I'm running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 4443 with 60
> | MB RAM. We bought this computer used, and the idiot who
> | had it before us didn't know that XP takes up more space
> | than 98. If I get more RAM, will XP run more smoothly?
> | Now, it's really slow, crashes a lot, and I've been
> | getting a message at start up that says "Operating System
> | not Found". Will more RAM solve my problem? What could be
> | causing it to say "Operating System Not found?" A few
> | minutes later it always starts up just fine. If I get
> | more RAM will I still have to go back to another version
> | of windows, Or can I even buy Windows 98 anymore?
> |
>
>

[Unknown]

Before you waste more money on that system there are other factors that I
think will make you very unhappy with it.
One is processor speed, it will be a little slow. Second is hard drive
space, 3 gig is a bit small for windows XP. Other items are hardware devices
that may not be compatible with Windows XP. Investigate these items, and get
suggestions from friends before you decide to invest more money in what you
have. You can find the specs of your system on line at HP.
, "Denise" > wrote in message
...
> I'm running Windows XP Pro on an HP Pavilion 4443 with 60
> MB RAM. We bought this computer used, and the idiot who
> had it before us didn't know that XP takes up more space
> than 98. If I get more RAM, will XP run more smoothly?
> Now, it's really slow, crashes a lot, and I've been
> getting a message at start up that says "Operating System
> not Found". Will more RAM solve my problem? What could be
> causing it to say "Operating System Not found?" A few
> minutes later it always starts up just fine. If I get
> more RAM will I still have to go back to another version
> of windows, Or can I even buy Windows 98 anymore?
>