Re: PC Upgrade Query

On 9/17/2012 1:37 PM, Jerry C. Adams wrote:

It used to run pretty good (even WDSc seemed reasonable), but since
installing Norton Security Suite it frequently has "issues." I thought that
adding more memory might help. I wondered if memory could be added via a
USB device, rather than ripping the thing apart (I hate hardware). Can it?

No. Memory is directly attached to the mother board and USB is very slow (relatively speaking).

That said, with Windows Vista & 7 you can add a USB drive that's used to cache data. It's called ReadyBoost, but I don't know how much of an impact it makes.

Second, it currently has Acer monitor with an ATI Radeon Xpress 150 display
adapter. I have a Samsung monitor (both monitors are wide, flat panels)
sitting collecting dust. I have read here that adding a second monitor is a
productivity gain, such as when using things like WDSc. I suppose that I
have to put in a different display adapter (did I mention that I hate
hardware?). What kind/make/model do I need to buy? Or is it possible (dare
I hope?) to buy a plug that I can add to the external port that would give
me the benefit(s) of dual monitors? Alternatively, is there a USB device
that I could use to attach the second monitor?

Yes, but it would be slow. I would suggest upgrading the video to an adapter that has dual video ports. Either that or add a 2nd video card.

Third, speaking of USBs, I only have two [2] USB ports on the front. I
thought I had seen a device that could plug into a USB slot that allowed
five [5] USB devices to be plugged in. Or was I smoking some a bad batch?

Yes, a USB hub ... get a powered one (has it's own power adapter) so it's not trying to power devices from the USB connection it attaches to.

If it matters, I am running XP Pro at SP3.



Thanks.



Jerry C. Adams

IBM i Programmer/Analyst

I will not eat oysters. I want my food dead - not sick, not wounded - dead.
-Woody Allen