Upgrading an ancient PC?

[Markeh]

My old desktop is too slow for my typical PC use (Habbo, Flash-based Facebook apps, listening to music), and I'm wondering how I can upgrade it.

I've got an AMD Sempron 2400+, running at 1.66Ghz, 256Mb RAM, a CD-ROM and a CD-rewriter drive, a 40Gb (IDE, I presume?) HDD, XP Home SP2 (am upgrading to SP3 soon), and a VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP on-board graphics chip (32Mb).

I'm looking at learning the basics of upgrading PC's on this machine, as if I screw up, this PC isn't essential (well, at least it isnt when my laptop isn't at the menders...), so, how can I upgrade it?

BTW, if I haven't given enough specs, just post what you need and how I can find it, and I will gladly get the info for you.

[Tomm]

It would be difficult to locate parts for that machine and any upgrading would be a waste of time to be honest.

[Lycan]

The Ram would be quite easy to upgrade however you'd have to know the maximum of the motherboard. a 1Gb stick of DDR (which i assume you're using because of the age of the computer) costs around £20.

Similar a hard drive would be very easy to replace but wouldn't speed up the computer really in any noticeable way.

If the motherboard has any kind of graphics port that would be another possible upgrade

each of the above being very easy to find.

You might have trouble with a newer processor and instead find it easier to replace the motherboard and CPU and continuing to use other components you have.

[Agnostic Bear]

Buy a new one. Problem solved.

[Markeh]

If I could afford a new one, I'd have one.

I'm looking into the possibility of graphics. How can I tell what type (if any) of port my PC has?

I believe the computer was made in 2000/2001, if that helps. It's in some horrid beige case.

I need RAM, but, can you just slot it in and go, and how can I find out what type I have and the mobo's maximum?

[N!ck]

You probably have SDRAM. 100MHz or 133MHz. Maximum probably around 512-1024MB. Graphics card is likely an AGP x2 or x4 port.

If anything upgrade the RAM.

[Lycan]

You probably have SDRAM. 100MHz or 133MHz. Maximum probably around 512-1024MB. Graphics card is likely an AGP x2 or x4 port.

If anything upgrade the RAM.

very likely,

Does the computer have a make/model/serial on the outside - i assume it wasn't built by you/family 10 years ago. This would provide alot more information for us to get results from.

[Mentor]

As people have said, easiest and most noticeble imporvment you'll get is probabaly going to come from upping your ram somthing like http://www.ebuyer.com/product/120640 (1gb for £9) would probably do the trick - this assumes your pc isnt too ainchent though (if your pc came with xp chances are 800mhz ram is fine )

[Markeh]

No make model or serial. I believe it was built by a family friend. Sorry I couldnt be more helpful. I have a feeling the motherboard is a VIA, for some reason.

Any decent compatible AGP cards? We've had an AGP 7600GS fitted in our main PC, but I think that was x8.

EDIT: I found some bits and bobs in Device Manager, all to do with VIA, could these help identify the mobo?

VIA CPU to AGP2.0/AGP3.0 Controller
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller
VIA Compatible Fast Ethernet Adapter.
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller

This makes me believe I might have a VIA motherboard...

EDIT: The machine, when built, had Windows ME.

[Jordy]

Does it definitely support AGP? That 7600 AGP Card you have is about as good as AGP gets so you may as well use that.

Restart your computer and it should give you the motherboard manufacture and maybe more, it comes up right at the beginning.