Dumb Computer Questions

[Hobie]

1. If a computer has a DVD/RW drive, can I read and write CD's in it?
2. If a computer comes with Vista, can I load XP onto it? If so, where, does the Vista system go?
3. If a computer only has 512MB RAM, can you get external RAM to plug in to a USB port?

When it comes to computers I feel like a giraffe on waterskis.

[Hillside]

1. I think all DVD/RWs can read CDs. Most of the newer ones can also write, but you would have to check to see if this is the case on the specific one you're looking at.

2. In theory you could. You would need to build a multi-boot system. Not something for a novice to mess with. I don't see any reason to load XP if you have Vista. You could, if you wanted, wipe the hard drive and install XP as the only operating system.

3. RAM has to be put in the slots of the motherboard. This isn't especially difficult to do, they just snap in.

[Hobie]

Muchos gracias!

[Bizzybee]

Yes, the dvd will handle the cd's.

Go here if you want to run a dual boot with Vista already installed.

http://apcmag.com/5485/dualbooting_vista_and_xp

If you have a 64 bit system, use a copy of 64 bit Windows XP. You can only purchase XP 64 on an OEM disk. Cost can be as low as $50. I paid just under $60. Using a 32 bit operating system on a 64 bit machine is a was of time and good hardware!!

Read your owners manual supplied with the machine or mother board. Memory is required to be installed in pairs on some boards. It's not very hard to understand the configuration once you read the information in your manual. Look in you machine and see how you memory has been installed. So you are certain you have a slot(s) available.

Some OEM's like to put seals on their systems that warn of voiding your warranty if the seal is broken. I build all of my own so I don't have the problem. And I would likely blow up their factory if they tried to give me that load of hooey :eek::) but you may want to call them. Don't trash your warranty!!

Have Fun!!

[aidah]

You obviously have no children they are the ones to ask about computers,DVDs, ect. Sorry can't help I'm computer illiterate.

[Troutsqueezer]

Rumor has it that with Vista you can plug in a USB/flash RAM drive and Vista will indeed use it as working memory. This may be the only reason I would switch to Vista given the current price of internal RAM versus flash/USB RAM.

[Hillside]

Rumor has it that with Vista you can plug in a USB/flash RAM drive and Vista will indeed use it as working memory. This may be the only reason I would switch to Vista given the current price of internal RAM versus flash/USB RAM.

I was just reading about that. Apparently, it works with faster memory sticks, but may not work with all of them. You also have to take a few steps to tell Vista to use the flash ram for system ram. Flash ram is much slower than system ram, but it's still a lot faster than a disk swap.

The big problem I see is that flash ram is limited in the number of writes that it can do before it fails. Using it as actual ram could result in a lot of writes in a reletively short time.

Some day I may be forced to use Vista, but I don't think that's going to be any time soon.

[Bizzybee]

Aside from being the most resource intensive release of Winders yet, add on the bugs with the legacy software and lack of driver support. I think I'll wait this one out for a while. That's a first, I've usually had the beta loaded ahead of the alpha and the alpha loaded within a week of release.

Could be I'm getting old and grumpy or I would just rather spend more time with the bees than working on these stupid things all day, everyday! :)

[xC0000005]

Rumor has it that with Vista you can plug in a USB/flash RAM drive and Vista will indeed use it as working memory. This may be the only reason I would switch to Vista given the current price of internal RAM versus flash/USB RAM.

Not rumor, and in many cases worlds faster. I use it quite happily. How happy you are with Vista is directly dependent on what hardware you need to run it with. Vista broke the old model of "You shouldn't do that, but it'll probably work." I've seen things in device drivers that make me shudder. Don't even get me started on app space. "I can write straight to the CD device, Watch me! Oops, that was the hard drive..."

[Cyndi]

Could be I'm getting old and grumpy or I would just rather spend more time with the bees than working on these stupid things all day, everyday! :)

No bizzybee, your older and wiser...to want to spend more time with your bees than working with computers...Yuck.

My brother, aka a true blue Microsoft guru specialists, keeps reminding me to wait on Vista...till they get all the bugs ironed out. Remember, there was a service pack 1 and a service pack 2 for XP??? SP2 made a world of difference and that is one head ache I'll never forget.