Help me upgrade my laptop

[zzyzzx]

I have a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop that I would like to add some memory to. I am only using it to "do internet" occasionally since I keep it at my GF's house and I don't want to use her MAC (I hate 'em).

The issues with it are the following:
It has Windows Vista, perhaps the only thing I really need to so is wipe the hard drive and install XP. XP drivers are available for this laptop.
I really don't know if the BIOS settings are correct.
I think it has PC4200 memory, and only 512MB of it. It has one open memory slot that can take up to 1GB more memory in that as per the manual (it's unclear to me as to if the BIOS update I did allows for more memory, but I'm not planning on going past the original 2GB limit anyway).
It's rather slow (probably has something to do with the Windows Vista comment above).

My CPU-Z's screen shots are attached.

Do the speed settings for the memory look correct? Does it really have PC4200 memory in it (the listing for PC4300 implies that). Will another 512MB stick of memory do me any good if I still have Vista installed? It's seems to be cheap and easy enough. 512MB DDR2 laptop PC4200 or PC5300 sticks on eBay (used) sell really cheap. I actually tried to install Fedora but it would not install, saying that I did not have enough memory.

[dragonkeeper]

I'm betting the lack memory is the root of the slowness problem. I had a similarly spec'd HP i took out the 512 stick of ram and added 2-1Gb sticks. 2 GB of ram made all the difference in the world. If all your doing is surfing the net I wouldn't worry about down grading the OS.

[zzyzzx]

I probably also should have posted some specs from the Owner's manual:

Memory
Memory module connector two SODIMM connectors
Memory module capacities 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB
Memory type 1.8-V SODIMM DDR-2
Minimum memory 256 MB
Maximum memory 2 GB

Processor
External bus frequency (front side bus) 533 MHz

[edDV]

Crucial has a good memory scanner that will display upgrade options.
http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

[redwudz]

The cheapest RAM boost would be to install a 1GB SODIMM. A bit better would be to install two and toss the original 512MB SODIMM. Vista, in my experience, is a bit slow with 512MB RAM. So if you went with XP or W7, you would probably see some improvement. I would probably consider W7 as XP is getting a bit old at present. But W7 drivers may not be available, so XP may be the best option.

I wouldn't worry about the BIOS settings, unless they have been modified. Stock settings should be fine. Since the PC has a bit of a slow CPU anyway, maybe start by installing XP and see what happens, then add RAM if no major performance improvement.

Another really cheap option, if you just use the PC for web surfing, is to go with a Linux distro and not add RAM. If you just use the browser, you would be set for really no cost at all. Ubuntu is one Linux distro that could work. You could try a live disc and boot from the disc to run the OS to try it out, then no damage done to the existing OS. Ubuntu does pretty well with it's own drivers, and you could check with Dell to see if any Linux drivers are available. http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/download

[zzyzzx]

I wouldn't worry about the BIOS settings, unless they have been modified.

I did update the BIOS, so how do I know that they weren't reset when I did that?

start by installing XP and see what happens, then add RAM if no major performance improvement.

OK, so you are saying that installing XP should be by first choice?

Another really cheap option, if you just use the PC for web surfing, is to go with a Linux distro and not add RAM.

I already tried to load Fedora and it wouldn't load due to lack of memory. Since I use RHEL at work and have Fedora on my desktop already, I wasn't figuring on trying yet still another very different version on Linux just for this.

[oldfart13]

This is similar to the Acer 3050 I bought for $30 at an estate auction. Swapped the old RAM out for 2 GB of DDR1 PC5300 and it runs much better. That said, it may be time to get your GF a new laptop. Black Friday is done but you will probably be able to get a much better lappy at under $200 on Boxing Day. Wal-Mart had one on BF for $199 plus they gave you a $50 gift card to boot!

[Cornucopia]

Heck, that PC ought to be fine with XP!

I picked up a Dell Inspiron 1200 (?IIRC), which is a couple of years OLDER than yours. It only came with 256MB RAM. I upped it to 512MB (the max that that particular model will allow).
Wiped clean the HD and put XP sp3 on it, MS Office 2003, Acrobat reader, Firefox (recent), and Avast AV + Spybot S&D.
Nothing else.

As long as nobody screws with it by going to bad sites and getting a virus/malware, this thing works GREAT! - for internet-only, or office/homework tasks.

So, I say it's either Vista, or other crap that's bogging it down. If you already have 512MB, try doing a downgrade to XP (sp3) first. If that's still too slow for you, add RAM to 1GB or 2GB, not really any more need for those tasks.

Scott

[jman98]

I agree with Cornucopia. You're asking for problems even with more memory to try to run Vista or Win 7 on that laptop, although it would run XP fine. However, my personal experience is that I don't recommend any memory amount below 768 MB for XP so you would be better off to add more memory even if you run XP. In my experience I've never been able to exceed more than about 700 MB of memory in use on XP no matter what I did so I don't see any need to go beyond 1 GB if you switch to XP.

Linux should install fine on 512 MB of RAM on your PC and run fine. That's bs what Fedora told you. Maybe you could seek out another Linux release like Ubuntu. Heck, you should be able to install Linux on 256 MB of RAM. Sounds like Fedora's got too much crap in their release if they say you need more memory. This is an old and by today's standards under powered (CPU wise) laptop so don't spend too much money or time on it. If you want to save money and not buy anything, just find Ubuntu or another Linux release NOT made by Red Hat to install.

[zzyzzx]

Used DDR2 laptop memory goes for cheap on eBay so I will likely add 512MB anyway, since I can get that for under $2
But since I can go ahead and install XP this weekend, I may as well try that first. Thanks.

[blinky88]

Firstly double click the WINDOWS Folder, then double click on the Prefetch Folder and delete everything in that Folder. Then download Glary Utilities, install and run, this will immediately quicken your laptop.
http://glary-utilities.en.softonic.com/download-version/glary-utilities-2.15.0.728

I would recommend upgrading the memory to 2Gb if your PC will take it, memory is very cheap these days.

Then I suggest you do what I and hundreds of others have done, get rid of Vista and install XP\3. The following link will explain how to go about installing XP. I bought a HP with Vista installed, had I not been able to load XP, I would have thrown it under a truck.
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Operating-Systems-and/HP-Pavillion-dv5-1232TX-Vi...rade/m-p/82627
That link I think only refers to HP Laptops however if you can download the necessary drivers for the Dell you will find XP is a very quick and stable OS.
Another link:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-pavilion-notebooks/291787-windows-xp-dv5t-all-drive...installed.html

If you want to go a step further, select Run from the Start Menu and type regedit. Carefully follow the next steps:
Choose HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > System > Current Control Set > Control > Session Manager > Memory Managemeny > Prefetch Parametres > then in the right pane double click on Enable Prefetcher and change the value from 3 to 2 .... close regedit. From that moment forth the only file you will see in Prefetch is the boot file giving you a faster start-up.

I run Glary Utilities after every session on the net, it deletes all the accumulated rubbish gathered whilst on the net, really great utility.

Cheers from down-under, happy new year.

[p_l]

Another positive experience with Glary Utilities here.

Merry Christmas!

[zzyzzx]

OK, I finally got around to doing this and yes it works much better with Windows XP. One big problem I did have was I got the infamous blank screen after installing Service Pack 3, so I used the system restore to get back to right before that, then turned off automatic updates. I'd prefer to get the updates, but then the laptop would only work in safe mode, unless I can figure out how to make it work with SP3. It does have an AMD CPU, but when I looked for the Intel thing that supposedly crashes SP3, I did not see it.

I'll probably get around to adding more memory to it at some point as well.

[budz]

OK, I finally got around to doing this and yes it works much better with Windows XP. One big problem I did have was I got the infamous blank screen after installing Service Pack 3, so I used the system restore to get back to right before that, then turned off automatic updates. I'd prefer to get the updates, but then the laptop would only work in safe mode, unless I can figure out how to make it work with SP3. It does have an AMD CPU, but when I looked for the Intel thing that supposedly crashes SP3, I did not see it.

I'll probably get around to adding more memory to it at some point as well.

That's strange to get a blank screen after updating to SP3. I've got SP3 on numerous pc's with no problems.

[zzyzzx]

That's strange to get a blank screen after updating to SP3. I've got SP3 on numerous pc's with no problems.

It's a common problem. Just search the internet. Microsoft essentially say "opps, we didn't consider the possibility that some people weren't using Intel processors".

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_update/windows-xp-service-pack-3-hanging-black-screen/81eecaed-1bf5-4981-a3b0-7e7651f9461b

This one is probably better then the Microsoft site:
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer...ng-xp-sp3.aspx

[budz]

That's strange to get a blank screen after updating to SP3. I've got SP3 on numerous pc's with no problems.

It's a common problem. Just search the internet. Microsoft essentially say "opps, we didn't consider the possibility that some people weren't using Intel processors".

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-windows_update/windows-xp-service-pack-3-hanging-black-screen/81eecaed-1bf5-4981-a3b0-7e7651f9461b

This one is probably better then the Microsoft site:
http://msinfluentials.com/blogs/jesper/archive/2008/05/08/does-your-amd-based-computer...ng-xp-sp3.aspx

Come to think of it all the xp pc's I have are all Intel processors. Including pc's I've built for family/friends. The only AMD pc I have is the one with Windows 7 32-bit. Thanks for the links!

[Noahtuck]

I have installed XP Pro with SP3 on countless AMD CPU systems and i have never had a problem.....

[zzyzzx]

I have installed XP Pro with SP3 on countless AMD CPU systems and i have never had a problem.....

I didn't have a problem on my desktop which also has an AMD CPU.

[zzyzzx]

OK, I have decided to just keep using Windows XP SP2 and leave it at that. I added extra memory so now Windows shows 896MB RAM (after set aside of 128MB for video cars). CPU-Z shows the whole 1GB memory as installed so I know it's working. I only paid $1 off eBay for a used 512MB stick of 200 pin DDR2 RAM, and I'm sure it will be well worth it. In other words, I'm done here and the laptop is working great.

Dell's wireless utility is awesome as well. I wonder if I can put that on any PC.

[redwudz]

I don't think you will miss having XP SP3 as it's mostly MS security updates. Run a good antivirus (And stay away from porn sites. ) and you shouldn't have any problems. If you want a bit more security, try a software firewall like the freeware version of Comodo.

One GB RAM should be fine with XP. With less RAM, you HDD has to run a lot, and that's what usually slows things down.

If you updated the BIOS, that generally resets it to the new default, so I would just leave it alone unless you know enough about the settings to make some changes. Some BIOS's have a 'Optimize' setting which can help if it's now just set at the minimal settings. But that will reset your other BIOS settings back to default, so be aware. Usually it just resets the date, so no problem unless you have some other custom settings.

There aren't that many wireless settings you can tweak to improve performance, especially with an older PC. I would recommend setting up encryption on the PC and your router if you want to keep the hackers out. Also you can set your router on a lesser used channel to improve performance. By default, they often use the busiest channel. A neat little utility for checking local wireless traffic is the freeware Inssider: http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

[zzyzzx]

I
If you updated the BIOS, that generally resets it to the new default, so I would just leave it alone unless you know enough about the settings to make some changes. Some BIOS's have a 'Optimize' setting which can help if it's now just set at the minimal settings. But that will reset your other BIOS settings back to default, so be aware. Usually it just resets the date, so no problem unless you have some other custom settings.

I rechecked the BIOS settings and since it's a DELL, there really isn't much that you can change, even if you wanted to. It's not like my home built desktop where I can change lots of stuff.

[artistmode]

That processor speed is brutal. Save your money and buy a new laptop.