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Old Computer Memory Help!!
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Stevo2355
Junior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 05:47 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I was hoping someone could help me out here. I came across some really old computers from a friend and her workplace. They had some old computers that still ran windows 95 on them and they finally got rid of them, to me. The problem is, I want to upgrade some things but the thing that I'm having problems with is the memory. 1 of them has 96 mb of memory in it and I want to upgrade that, but I don't know what kind it is or the speed at which it is. I took them out and looked at them but they don't say anything. Can anyone help me out with this?? Is there a program or utility out there that could tell me what I need to know, or just get some advise please? Thanks
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rulisky
Senior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 06:12 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Might cost you more to get "up to speed" versus just buying something fresh and new. It can be hard to find stuff compatible with older machines and you might not be able to upgrade enough due to limitations of the motherboard, etc. One thing just seems to lead to another; Ram, video card, sound card, bigger HD, etc.

Anyway, to find out what you will be able to use (and how far you can take it) regarding RAM, you will need the make and model of the motherboard. Take that info to the store with you or online to the tech support of the seller you are going to use, ie. Newegg, Crucial, whatever. If there is ANY info on the existing RAM, make a note of that as well. You can try a search for anything marked on the chips and see if anything making sense turns up.
Senior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 07:38 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Yeah, but Linux would run fine on those machines. Use one for a router, use another for a website. Hell, have fun with them. Free PC + free OS.....cant get any better than that.

~Rich
Stevo2355
Junior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 07:56 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
I'm not familiar with that setup. How would you make one into a router?
ddp
Moderator
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9. August 2006 @ 13:06 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Stevo2355, the 1 with 96megs, is the ram sockets white & 4 sticks of ram in them?
Stevo2355
Junior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 13:45 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Nope, it's weird. I looked at it and there are just 2 sticks but when I run a utility to find out what is on each one, it says I have 3. It shows 64+16+16. I don't know why it's like that.
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The_OGS
Senior Member
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9. August 2006 @ 16:56 _ Link to this message    Send private message to this user   
Hi Stevo2355,
My experience is that you have 72-pin SIMM DRAM sockets. You can confirm this by determining if the memory is retained by a little clip at each end, and rocks forward (~45 degrees) for installation/removal when the clips are released.
This memory is installed in pairs; 4 slots = 2 banks and each bank must be filled.
FP SIMMs were used for years, but I can't get them anymore.
EDO SIMMs were a more modern improvement, introduced in the mid/later '90s, just before SDRAM. I can still buy EDO SIMMs:

64MB 72Pin SIMM Ram Module, EDO - $49.99 (sold only in pairs).

Slightly newer, SDRAM memory started at PC66/PC100 and ultimately hit PC133 speed. These days, any/all are replaced with PC133.
They are physically much larger sticks, with 2 notches (1 quite close to one end):

128MB SDRAM Ram Module, PC133 - $29.99
256MB SDRAM Ram Module, PC133 (16 Chip - This is ram for older computers) - $69.99

Older computers don't like single-sided (8 Chip) sticks of 256MB!
So there you go :^)
It's kinda harsh but, those really old PCs top out at 256MB total (and you pay $200 bucks for the privilege).
But sure - dandy Linux box, router or whatever...
I have an old rig here that even loads DOS drivers (for CD-Rom and Soundblaster) because I have an extensive library of ancient games.
Regards

ABit AB9 Pro
Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 @ 2.4GHz
2GB OCZ PC2-6400 Platinum XTC R2
ATI Radeon X1900XT 512MB
Enermax Liberty 620W
320GB/16MB WD, 150GB/16MB Raptor
Plextor PX-755SA DVD (SATA)

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. August 2006 @ 16:59

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