Frequently Asked Questions

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Question:
Made a couple of purchases, but hold off on the Processor to make sure it is the right one. I Download from Intel site, a Processor Frequency Identifier and talk to there tech. on the proper type for replace the Celeron. The part# BX80526C1000256, package type: FC-PGA, bus speed: 133 MHz., Cpuid string: 068A, core Volt: 1.75V. Now my concern is the compatible with the new chip when I upgrade the memory, Compaq advices to increase to (2x) 256mb,SDRAM from (2x) 128mb, PC100 that is on my system, not sure which one? PC100 or PC133. Hope to hear from you soon and I thank you for the prior help, it has increase my awareness.

Answer:

PC 100 is the type of memory you need to use for your motherboard. PC 133 is compatible, slower but never faster. So either 100 or 133 will work on your machine.

Question:
I receive your mail and open attached clip, review all the possibility....now come the part I tend to get lost. I need your help on purchasing the right component in the processor you have and the two (2) items in the hard drive and Graphic card I will need to upgrade, could I go with the 128 instead of 64 in Graphic and a 20 or 40 gig hard drive? I would like to transfer my Family home video from the 8mm I recorded with my Sony Hi8 and transfer to a CD-R disc, I have a TDK CDRW401240B burner, but do not have the right software to make the transfer...at this time, this is as far I would like to get into without complicating myself into a mess. Can you
draft the availability and cost so I can purchases from you or other? and maybe some step or procedure on the implementation to where all of this work properly. I thank you very much on helping me more to understand in my venture and in the future, I would probably move into the portability....like a laptop? Thank you again for your help.

Answer:
http://www.upgradehighway.com/video_card.htm, the bottom right card is a 64 MB PCI video card. I am not aware of a 128MB PCI video card, only AGP. If you think there is one for sale I would check my local computer store. I have never seen one myself or heard of one. Read the instructions carefully and follow each detail. When you are ready to put the card into the machine please make sure that your existing video is off by going into the bios and turning it off. When the computer starts click on the delete key, that will take you to the settings for the computer. Once in there turn off the display adapter/video adapter. When you get the card send me an email and I will help you either by calling you or you can call me and I will walk you through the installations or I will ask you specific questions via email about the card you choose and tell you what you need to know. Most cards come with detailed instructions and are not too complicated if you follow them exactly. It is usually 1 - 2 pages of instructions. If you have problems it will be because you have a motherboard that is specific to your computer and it has onboard video.

http://www.upgradehighway.com/hard_drive.htm. I have several hard drives, both 20 and 40 GB. I suggest you get the larger drive so you do not need to upgrade again leaving you 2 smaller drives. It is not that much more to get a 40GB drive. I suggest that you install the hard drive as a second drive until you make sure you have all of your information moved onto the new drive. Before disconnecting the old drive, create a boot disk (ask me if you do not know how to do this). Disconnect your existing drive. Move the jumper that is on the hard drive to the master position, most hard drives have a detailed map on the top that tell you where to set the jumpers. If the one you pick does not, then let me know and I will help you. I am always on my computer except during the day and usually in the evening until 9PM. Once you have the new hard drive set as a master and the old drive set as slave you, fdisk the new drive so it is fat32, format the drive and install Microsoft Windows (preferred operating system) or whatever operating system you are using onto the new drive. Once you complete the operation you will see both drives when you open my computer on the desktop. At this point you will need to open the back up drive usually listed as drive D. Copy all of your data that you want to keep and delete everything off that hard drive. It is dangerous to have two drives with an operating system. Make sure to get everything you want, including old emails, etc. Spend a little time with your computer before you do this so you can put everything you want into one folder. Make sure that you do not move any files that run a program, that will corrupt the program. Let me know if there is a problem. Once you move everything you want and clean off the old drive you can either leave it on your computer as a backup drive or remove it.

Question:
My computer is very slow when loading. My Internet service is also slow. Please help!

Answer:
What Internet service do you use. You may want to change to a different internet service provider or call your phone company and see if DSL Internet is available in your area of the country. If not check with the cable company and see if cable modems are available. A new fast internet choice is DirectDSL. It is like a Direct Cable satelite system only it also includes fast internet. What is the nearest large city to where you are located?

If your computer is slow and needs to be upgraded to a faster speed then you will need to check in your area for a computer repair shop or send it to us so we can upgrade it for you. What type of computer do you have? If you have a computer that is upgradeable, I suggest you replace the CPU, Hard Drive and Memory. Format and reinstall the operating system first and see if that helps. Often a computer will become bogged down with useless files and registry problems.

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