Computer question--memory?
 

Computer is running slowly. done all the std virus, spy ware, adware checks and run CC Cleaner. I am wondering if more RAM might be useful.

Computer is a emachince upgraded to nearly a gig of RAM. it uses DIMM and is running Windows XT
Additional symptom is that when playing videos, the sound is "clipped" short interruptions about 2 or 3 times a second--even when the video is fully loaded.

A gig is nothing for XP/SP3. Emachines were also known for not using the best hardware anyway and the mainboard is probably sharing your system ram with the video graphics, further reducing what is available.

Take a look at the performance monitor (task manager) and see what is in use.

In addition to more ram, a dedicated video card (with its own ram) will improve performance.

Delete unnecessary files, see if there are unnecessary processes running, defrag. Better yet, out with the old, in with the new.

Task Manager shows spikes of " idle tasks" or some similar wording. But nothing else.
Removed a bunch of old stuff the other day, and defragged. It was at 22% fragmented. No change noticed.

Look on the "performance" tab. It will show you how a graph of how much memory is in use and there are additional details. If you're constantly into the "swap" file, you'll notice seriously degraded performance.

The A/V you use is another potential issue. Symantec and McAfee both have large footprints and consume lots of resources.

But if you're slamming the paging file all the time, more ram is the answer.

Either way an XP system is a dinosaur. I would have replaced it a long time ago and have newer, faster hardware and better operating systems. Why throw good money after bad?

I think that way as well but who knows why people keep older systems?

I understand that many large banking institutions are still running XP SP3 systemwide as they haven't gotten their specialty software upgraded for Win7 yet. Such things are one reason M$ has continued to push back the abandonment of support for XP.

In it's day XP was excellent...unfortunately with the patches and service packs it's bloated and slow.

But if you're out of memory and need to maintain an older system, more ram will perk it up, assuming, of course, you can still find proper ram for the board you have (and that the board will support it).

In any event, I'm going to assume that the OP isn't one of the twelve people who bought XPx64, so more than 2gb is a true waste of money.

OP, if in looking at the performance tab you are just barely "overlimit" then a new video card with dedicated ram may give you the best bang for your buck. That will release the shared RAM so your system can use it and vram is faster anyway.

With XP, you really should be running over 1gig, especially if it's sharing RAM. I have a few older boxes sitting around. If you tell me what you need, I may have it.

I fixed my last desktop computer, this weekend...I bought a factory rebuilt Compaq through Walmart.com pretty cheaply.

1gb is fine for XP, though 2gb is optimal. How long has it been since you've reinstalled windows? I would do that before blowing money on RAM for an old emachines.

When was the last time you cleaned the heatsink and applied arctic silver 5 or similar?

It's like driving a beater '83....the character!

Doesnt sound like he's having overheating issues..but cleaning heatsink is good maintenance anyways.

Same as a fat girl or a moped. Either way, I'll pass. :D

I would suggest putting 4GB of RAM (the maximum amount) in the thing, it's too cheap an improvement, and almost guaranteed to help. Though it may not solve all your problems. What's the model number of the PC? I'll tell you what kind of RAM to buy. I suspect you'll need DDR2 240 pin which will run you ~$50 for 4GB Kind of high considering that people are throwing these machines away nowadays. I guess you could put 1 2GB in for ~25 ish.

XP is perfectly fine for trolling forums as MS can quickly demonstrate! ;)

"XP system" isn't the problem. "eMachines" is the problem :) Keep in mind that till 2009, XP was the only game in town unless you wanted to run Vis-duh -- 7 was the first decent replacement for XP.