A couple of old PC questions...

[Markeh]

Right, I have this old beige PC. It's running an MSI KM4AM-V mobo, 256Mb RAM, an AMD Sempron 2400+, 40Gb IDE HDD (about half full, I'm usually on the dv6 so I don't tend to store files on here), 2 CD drives (1 CD-ROM, 1 BenQ CD-RW) and it's running XP Professional (SP2 I think). I've got a Belkin USB Wi-Fi adapter and an Epson C42UX printer plugged into it (which will be networked into our wi-fi network when I get time). I've got a few problems and questions with it to be honest.

Firstly, the RAM usage, when doing nothing, is at around 280Mb, which seeing as I only have 256, can't be good. The only processes running (other than windows) were those for the Wi-Fi software, and Avast. How can I get my RAM usage down, ideally without having to upgrade?

Also, I'd like to be able to speed the system up a bit. How can I do this without ideally spending any money (I'm tight, I know)?

Last thing, is there a way to reinstall XP without using the discs?

[scottish]

Well as theres not that much on the computer main thing slowing it down will be the 256MB RAM so i'd suggest you upgrade that.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/72673


Yes, USB flash drive

[The Professor]

Both those problems can be solved by reinstalling XP, so if you're not bothered about keeping the stuff you have on there now I wouldn't even give it any more thought. If you are, download advanced system care (http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-Sy...html?tag=mncol), that does a scan of your system and does some funky stuff to make it run as fast as possible.

Edit: @scott 256mb RAM is absolutely fine for XP, it should run nicely. I have 2 computers in the house running on that

[scottish]

meh i never run a machine with under 1.5gb ram so wouldn't know

Use the programs that clean up all the crap like registry errors, defrag n st00f.

[N!ck]

Format and more RAM. You probably need SDRAM or DDR at best. The one you have been linked to won't work.

[The Professor]

meh i never run a machine with under 1.5gb ram so wouldn't know

Use the programs that clean up all the crap like registry errors, defrag n st00f.

Well I'm working on the assumption he doesn't do much with it, the ones in my house are basically used as a nettop. If he wants to start doing bare stuff with it I'd recommend just buying another computer!

[scottish]

- Supports DDR200/266/333/400

i linked ddr 400mhz.

edit; oh mb clicked the ddr2 400mhz category instead of ddr

[The Professor]

Thing is old RAM is so expensive, you can probably buy a whole new computer on ebay for better specs for the money you're spending on that!

[Markeh]

Yes, I could buy a whole new computer. But my family are adament that i'm keeping it

[The Professor]

Yes, I could buy a whole new computer. But my family are adament that i'm keeping it

You can't keep a computer that's in pieces in the street after falling from a 1st floor window