what can make this computer faster?

[SkaarjMaster]

OK, this is my Mom's computer, which is somewhat composed of old parts from my last one. Besides changing the motherboard, CPU, OS, video card and sound card, what do you think could make this computer faster?

Win98SE
P3-500 CPU, 256MB PC100 SDRAM
standard HS/fan (Coolermaster)
Gigabyte GA-6BXC 440BX MB
ATI Rage Fury 32MB video card
Soundblaster LIVE! Value sound card
Fujitsu HD 4GB (1GB free)
ISA ethernet card
300W PS

Basically, she showed me how slow AOL 9.0 optimized came up on her computer, then got out of that and then connected to the Internet through IE6 and it came up a lot quicker. I realize it's AOL, but it took almost 2 minutes for it to completely come up on the screen. I'm thinking maybe another 256MB of RAM and a PCI ethernet card is about all that may help. It's already been virus scanned, spybotted, scandisked and defragged. Any thoughts?

I've checked RAM prices and I may just get two sticks of 256MB PC133. Crucial has CL=3 and CL=2 at newegg for $58 and $61, respectively; I'm guessing she wants the CL=3. Also, another site had single-sided and double-sided. What's all that about?

As far as the ethernet card, should I get just a standard Intel 10/100? Thanks for any help on any of these questions?

 

[BigJimbo]

ram...bump it up to 512 if its still slow then start with a new motherboard and chip....

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Well, based on some responses from other forums, it's looking like a new HD and/or AOL uninstall/defrag/reinstall would be my best bets right now! I'm not sure another 256 is going to help Win98SE.

 

[BigJimbo]

your right on SE for some reason i was thinking XP......SE wont use 512mb to its potential....defrag the drive if its still boggy format and reinstall windows minus all of the crap programs that may have been installed since the last install

 

[jackschmittusa]

7200rpm hd is the first thing. Old drive is too old and slow. Win98 sometimes has trouble with 512mb ram and some BX chipset mbs had problems using more than 256mb efficiently. I would only add 128mb as a precaution. ISA nics are 10 mb. If you are on broadband, definetly get a pci nic as it will auto-sense 100 mb speed.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

The 256mb of ram you have is not to shabby, not absolutely neccesary to up that. The main thing that I see holding you back is that 4GB HDD. Ditch it now for a 40GB+ 7200 rpm drive. Next on the list would be that ISA network card. Then possibly at least a GeForce2 or better vid card(Not for the gaming aspect at all, It just seems to help overall graphics speed). Finally, How long has this install of Win98 been in use? Might be surprised how much faster Windows can be with just a simple format/fresh install.

 

[PrincessGuard]

Short of a CPU/mobo upgrade, the best you can do is a new hard drive and a reformat. If you're going to spend $60 on PC133, you might as well spend a few more dollars and get a new mobo/CPU combo and some DDR.

The ISA network card is a non-issue. I doubt AOL for Broadband will saturate the ISA bus and that certainly wouldn't slow down program load times.

 

[jackschmittusa]

PrincessGuard

Bought a nic (Belkin) from Compusa today, free after $5 rebate. Last 128mb stick of PC133 was $9.99 after rebate.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

OK, most people here and other forums are saying don't worry about the RAM or the ethernet card, so I'm doing that. The CPU upgraded from 500 to 667 max. for this MB would be too much work for very little gain, so I'm going to give her my WD 20GB 5400rpm HD to take the place of her nine-year old Fujitsu for now over Thanksgiving. If that doesn't work, then an AOL uninstall/defrag/reinstall seems to be the thing to do. The OS was reinstalled recently, so I'm not messin' with that; besides, she doesn't even come close to doing all the crap we do to computers, hehe. Planning on building her a new one in Fall 2004 anyway. This is because I'm building mine in Feb. 2004 and will be my first experience with XP; I figure by Fall 2004 (maybe late Summer) I should have XP figured out and can help her with any problems she might have.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I'm now hearing from Hardforum that AOL 9.0 is a big memory hog and maybe more memory would be a good idea. Anymore thoughts on this issue?

 

[jhbball]

hmm... another stick might help... but I'd suggest reformatting. I'm running (on an extra box) win XP pro just fine on a 500mhz celeron and 256 megs of ram, and a 5400 rpm harddrive. I'm not using AOL though.. soo... meh



Either way, good luck!

 

[exx1976]

GET RID OF AOL. What's wrong with IE6??

Memory won't help here, because like everyone said, 98SE can't utilize that much..

The network card is indeed a non-issue, as mentioned before.. Not only that, but I have yet to see a broadband device that has a 100Mbps connection on it, because it's not being fed data that fast (a DS3 is only 45 Mbps, and you're not getting anywhere even CLOSE to that from a regular broadband connection -- you're lucky if you get a single T's worth of bandwidth -- 1.544Mbps). They DO make 10/100 ISA cards, so don't automatically assume it's only 10base unless you know for sure. Granted, they are very pricey, but they do exist.

I would drop $150 and get a new processor/mb if you wanted to speed it up that bad.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

"Memory won't help here, because like everyone said, 98SE can't utilize that much"

Sorry my friend, you are wrong. I've had this argument about Win98SE and memory before and it can utilize efficiently up to 512MB, but it's when it gets above this that it starts freaking out. There are actually people that are using Win98SE with 768MB, 1GB and 1.5GB of memory with no problem, but this is rather rare.

As far as AOL 9.0 being a memory hog, who knows, maybe doubling the memory to 512 and adjusting the virtual memory to the same min. and max. value might help. I'm not sure what she has set for her computer right now, but I thought I already set it to something like 256MB for virtual memory.

 

[gotasnake]

This may be somewhat of a long shot, but you may try running AdAware to see if maybe she downloaded any spyware. Too much can cause a system to lag pretty easily. Also, I know you said no changing the OS, but you may consider putting Windows 2000 or XP on it instead of 98. I have a spare box that's a P3 500 with 160 megs of RAM and it runs just fine, considering the specs.

Edit: and use Mozilla Firebird or IE6, of course...

 

[SkaarjMaster]

"It's already been virus scanned, spybotted, scandisked and defragged."

Been done with SpyBot and Ad-Aware! It's also possible that AOL only slowly comes up only on first boot up of the day or reboot. Maybe if she gets out and then gets back in it is fine. I've asked her to check on this, but in either case it should be fixed. Please pardon me if one of you already suggested this because I got 6 threads on 6 different forums going on this topic.

 

[GonzoDaGr8]

Originally posted by: SkaarjMaster
"It's already been virus scanned, spybotted, scandisked and defragged."

Been done with SpyBot and Ad-Aware! It's also possible that AOL only slowly comes up only on first boot up of the day or reboot. Maybe if she gets out and then gets back in it is fine. I've asked her to check on this, but in either case it should be fixed. Please pardon me if one of you already suggested this because I got 6 threads on 6 different forums going on this topic.

AOL9.0 is more of a bloated turd than any other version. It loads slow because it is large and loading from a way outdated and slow HDD. Honestly, You may see some improvement with that 20Gigger you mentioned, But your biggest gain will come from installing a 7200 rpm drive.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

I'll make sure to get her a new fast HD on her new system build in about 8-9 months. Also, she still won't get rid of AOL no matter how much hell my brother and I give her, hehe. We say stuff like,"Mom why do you still have AOL? ...bangs head against wall..." and it still doesn't work.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Well, I'm on my Mom's computer now and....

She has a new hard drive; the WD 20GB 5400rpm; the results are as follows:

Cold Boot >> old HD(3:20), new HD(2:00)
AOL 9.0 after Boot >> old HD(3:15), new HD(2:30)
IE6(cnn as default)>> old HD(0:30), new HD(0:15)
AOL again>> old HD(1:45), new HD(1:15)
MLS real estate site(IE6)>> old HD(0:10), new HD(0:04)

These are minutes and seconds and the system now boots up a lot faster, gets into AOL a little faster and does other things faster.

1. Seems like the HD switch worked.
2. Do you think I need to get more RAM (she has 256MB SDRAM PC100 right now)?

It seems to be a toss up right now, but if the times were a little less for the new HD then I would just stop now.

 

[Willoughbyva]

You can probably pick up some more ram for cheap so go for it. Just don't go over 512mb with win9x.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

It's tempting to get her some more RAM, but I think I'll hold off for now. She has two sticks of 128MB PC100 right now and maybe a 256 stick would be good, but since she got a fairly good boost from the HD then two 256MB sticks of PC133 may not be worth it. I'll be building her a whole new system in the Summer or Fall 2004 anyway. Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[daveybrat]

hey, i've seen the same issues as you. I work as the tech manager of a computer store, and i've had the same kind of
systems as you. Upping the ram won't help your issues, believe me, i've tried. 256mb is plenty for win98.
You see how much faster your timings were after the new hard drive.
What she really needs is a 40gb 7200rpm hard drive. I guarantee you'll see the benefits over your 20gb 5400rpm.
I do that all the time at work and see big gains for old systems.
And seeing as you can get 40gb 7200rpm for around $55 shipped from newegg, it's worth it for her aging system.
And for the nic card, totally unnessary unless she plans on networking to another machine and transferring large files.
the internet is not going to take advantage of a higher card.

Do the new drive and she'll be happy

 

[Blaizer2]

An ISA interface tells me you have a reasonably dated MB. You can find a better MB without breaking the bank however, get a reliable brand. You will be able to find a board with built in LAN and sound. Memory is fairly inexpensive these days. A 7200 rpm hard drive, AGP video should do it.

 

[Blaizer2]

Sounds good...Go for the RAM and start thinking about brining your mom upto speed. If she is working with MLS (lots of pictures of houses) start shopping for that new laptop for Christmas. Aloha

r/B2

 

[LiLithTecH]

What TYPE of MODEM are you using (Internal Winmodem, External, Model)?
If its a WinModem, lose it. Go external. Worth the performance increase and
a heck of a lot less headaches.

I would have to agree with daveybrat that it would help putting in a 7200rpm HD.
Performance increase would be immediately apparent.

2 minute Win98 boot times is not really acceptable for a PIII CPU.

I have done p100-p166MX's on networks that boot and login in 1/3 the time.

 

[SkaarjMaster]

ZoneAlarm and VirusScan are booting up, so that is what is taking so long!

Well, I'm sticking with the 256MB of RAM for her and ordering a WD 20GB 7200rpm HD instead as a Christmas present, hehe. Anyway, the 5400rpm 20GB WD can be used for backup. This should set her up until the new build in Summer/Fall 2004! The new build will probably only involve CPU/MB/HS/RAM because she has everything else.