Compaq 1200 laptop correct RAM? Upgrades?

[LordOverLord]

I am new to laptops and got an old Compaq presario 12XL510A for 30 bux. It needed a HD wich I got and installed. Works great now!

my questions are:

Correct RAM to use?

Can the video be upgraded?

DVD drive swaped-out for a DVD-RW?

Processor upgrade?

Sorry if these are dumb questions,but I could use some help and advice...

Thanks in advance!

Mike

 

[LordOverLord]

awwwww come on...PLEASE?

 

[TheCanuck]

I use to have a similar laptop. You can put in another PC100 SODIMM 256mb stick:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts....AM&model=Presario+1200-XL510&submit=Go

But you should be able to find a cheaper deal on it -- For instance generic: http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?Search=311003532-02&Title=T&iid=96237

But can't gurantee the compatibility -- sometimes laptops are picky with ram. But my 12xl300 took a generic 256mb stick with no problems.

Video Can't be upgraded -- it's integrated into the mobo. Can only adjust the amount of ram used for it in the BIOS (4MB was the tops I think, but with that model you might be able to adjust to 8MB).

Not sure about the DVD drive -- Newegg has deals on slimline DVD-RWs but power requirements / compatibility is the question. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152048

Processor can be upgraded but probably only to 850MHz since at 900mhz the voltage goes up to 1.7v vs 1.6v for your processor. So the motherboard probably won't work / you risk blowing it.

Since you only paid $30 I'd just upgrade the ram, put on XP (or maybe a Linux distro), stick in a wifi card and you've got a decent portable. No sense investing a ton of cash in something that old.

 

[LordOverLord]

Thanks,I'll just up the RAM..Anything else I might need like drives I'll run off the USB..I already put XP on it...

Thanks for the reply!