The Conservative Cave
The Help Desk => Computer Related Discussions & Questions => Topic started by: franksolich on April 16, 2010, 06:53:04 AM
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In a few hours--it's early yet, and I've got that "hangover" feeling from yesterday, April 15, plus the cat litter boxes need changed--I'll be switching to a different computer.
It's not a matter of just shoving the old computer off the table and setting up the new one; one has to cat-proof everything first. And the cats are not going to be happy; they used to slumber atop the CPU (central processing unit), which was wide enough for that, but this new CPU is about as thick as a deck of cards standing upright, no room for cats to slumber on top.
I have been told I can lay the CPU flat, but that would take up too much room.
In one way, I'm going to miss the old library computer; it's been a nuisance because one couldn't save anything, the whole thing reverting back to its original settings every time it was turned off--but on the flip side of that coin, it also meant that viruses and worms and condom horses and stuff were automatically erased too.
Nor will I miss Windows98.
In case anyone is wondering, with Windows98, conservativecave comes up light blue and medium brown, and the avatars are not visible. And I'm still looking for the "start new topic" button that's ostensibly on another web-site, but Windows98 hasn't been showing it to me.
This library computer: Windows98, IE6, 27.9 GB HD, 126.0 MB RAM.
The new computer: WindowsXP, IE8, 40 GB HD, 1.0 GB RAM.
I still have no idea what RAM is, other than "random access memory," and why it's important.
One of the irksome things about the library computer was Skins's island--if I clicked on a link from here to there, it would connect.....but if I tried going somewhere else on Skins's island from that link, up would come the "error" message and down would go the computer.
On the other hand, I could roam at will on Skins's island if I just opened a new window, and typed in the proper http stuff in the address bar.
And I had to type the thing; I could not save "favorites."
I imagine this new computer is going to make exploring Skins's island a lot easier.
Another irritant has been the inability to access certain web-sites, most particularly those about the weather, and those from television stations. It appears the more whistles and toys and bells and bright lights a web-site has, the less Windows98 is able to accomodate it. This hindered me especially when doing the "live threads" on the primary elections earlier this year; I couldn't do hardly a damned thing.
Now, I don't do the music and movies and youtube thing--for obvious reasons--nor do I save a whole lot of things (I still prefer photographs to be kept in ink on paper, and carefully categorized in albums), so I'm assuming the 40 GB HD is much more than adequate.
Also, I'll be able to hook up a Kodak scanner/printer/copier gotten two years ago, but never used. I had gotten it about the same time my former computer crashed, and remember I could not download anything new on the old library computer (unless I was willling to download it every time I turned it on; but when I turned it off, it would evaporate).
I shared with another member here the specifications of the monitors I have here, as to me a monitor is a monitor is a monitor. As with keyboards and mouses, I "stockpile" accessories, even in mid-summer aware of the winter, when it is rather, uh, difficult to get out to get something if something goes wrong with what one has.
Apparently I have a "Cadillac" of monitors, but it was in the closet; I'll use that one with the new computer.
We'll see how it goes; as with other computers in other times, I'll keep the old library CPU on "reserve," in case something ever goes wrong with the new CPU.
I know, I know; used computers always pose a risk, but on the whole, I've found it somewhat less expensive just to get a new used one when the old one goes bad (or in this case, is inadequate); I used to do the same thing with IBM Selectric II typewriters, buying them at Nebraska state auctions for two or three bucks apiece, and then using them until they burned out, after which I tossed them and plugged in another spare one.
I grieve when I think about how much paperwork this life has put out.
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Congratulations on your newest addition. Takes a while to get used to something new, especially when you have had the old for so long, but soon, you will be zipping around with your new machine and it will become your favorite.
I replaced my laptop that had Windows 98 on it, last year. That's rough.
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Sounds like anyone would have hated the old computer.
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I still have no idea what RAM is, other than "random access memory," and why it's important.
RAM provides the computer with the means to do work within it'self. More RAM, more complex work (computations) that can be done. I run 3 gigs in my computer and I'll probably add 1G more. The old machine(library) with Win 98 could not use more than 500mb, it was a problem with Win 98. With XP you are only limited by what the motherboard will handle.
The 40G HD is a bit small, but is probably fine for your needs.
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RAM provides the computer with the means to do work within it'self. More RAM, more complex work (computations) that can be done. I run 3 gigs in my computer and I'll probably add 1G more. The old machine(library) with Win 98 could not use more than 500MB, it was a problem with Win 98. With XP you are only limited by what the motherboard will handle.
The 40G HD is a bit small, but is probably fine for your needs.
More RAM also increases the "speed" that the user perceives various applications running and loading.........insufficient amounts of RAM force the computer to "cache" applications to the hard drive when they load and run (in essence using space on the hard drive to supplement the lack of memory) , slowing down operations considerably.......
My laptop has only 512 M of RAM, but my desktop (running XP) has 4 GB of RAM, and with a fast processor it is really quick......
Unfortunately this laptop is old, and "maxed out" at 512 Meg.......I wish it could be upgraded, but alas, Dell screwed the pooch on that.......it is great for portability though.....
doc
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RAM provides the computer with the means to do work within it'self. More RAM, more complex work (computations) that can be done. I run 3 gigs in my computer and I'll probably add 1G more. The old machine(library) with Win 98 could not use more than 500mb, it was a problem with Win 98. With XP you are only limited by what the motherboard will handle.
The 40G HD is a bit small, but is probably fine for your needs.
From what I understand, XP will only handle 3.5 GB. I could be mistaken. Upon research, I found this: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx
Frank, don't forget to clear your temp files, temp internet files and cookies upon occasion. Otherwise that 40 GB hard drive will fill up faster than you think.
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From what I understand, XP will only handle 3.5 GB. I could be mistaken. Upon research, I found this: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEmem.mspx
Frank, don't forget to clear your temp files, temp internet files and cookies upon occasion. Otherwise that 40 GB hard drive will fill up faster than you think.
I installed "CCCleaner" for him to use for that purpose.......
doc