Computer Upgrade

I also looked it up, and (to my surprise, I admit) it said 1GB.

"Ram
Installed Size: 512 MB / 1 GB (max)
Technology: DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed: 333 MHz
Memory Specification Compliance: DDR333/PC2700"

G

The responses have been so helpful and I will not be running out to buy a new one. As far as the RAM is concerned, this is what's in the manual:

Architecture DDR SDRAM
Memory Connectors Two
Memory Capacities 128-, 256-, or 512-MB
Minimum Memory 128MB shared DDR SDRAM
Maximum Capacity 1GB

So, to the layman like me the max is 2x512MB

So would the best advice be to upgrade to 1GB and see how it goes. Are we saying here that the processor and graphics in my present system are adequate and maybe a good springclean?

I am so appreciative of all your help and advice.

Tom

On the maximum memory topic it may be worth checking out if there is a later firmware avilable for the bios and what changes it makes. I have seen systems that required updates to support memory not available at the time of design, although I fear with a P4 2.8 this is probably not the case here.

If you are not comfortable upgrading it yourself you may well find a local computer shop will do it and fit the memory at the same time.

Personally I think you may still find CS3 and Powerpoint together a bit tight in 1Gb but it will certainly be better than 512Mb. Bearing in mind windows XP with service pack 2, anti-virus etc will use ~250Mb so you are effectively going from 250 to 750 Mb for programs.

Just ask a local PC company to fit 1 x 1Gb RAM. If it works, ask them to fit another. If that works and you end up with 2Gb, buy them both. If 1Gb sticks don't work you've lost nothing compared to buying one yourself only to find it is not supported by the motherboard.

Always check you have the latest BIOS update first.

Try the system scanner from crucial http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner it usually does a pretty good job of detecting the motherboard and memory possibilities. Note down the results, it may be cheaper to buy the memory elsewhere.

Thanks to you all once again.
I have ordered the RAM upgrades and shall see how much things improve.
I will let you know.

Hope it works. If it doesn't, please remember that free advice is worth what you paid for it.

G

Little worried about the shared DDR RAM bit.

Is the graphics card on the main board or is it a seperate graphics card?

If its on board you should check to see if the board will support a seperate card - using shared RAM seriously slows the PC down.

If you are using a seperate graphics card ensure that the on-board graphics is disabled

Well everybody I have installed 2 x 1Gb chips today and I am now multi tasking to beat the band. No waiting for programmes to close down and messing about like before. I am very happy.
You are a good bunch of folk here and have been very generous with your advice.
Thanks
Tom

Well done, and a lot cheaper than a new PC. Thanks for your feedback.