Speed up a laptop

[TwoCard]

Just got this laptop back from being repaired,
Now I want to speed it up.

I watch streaming videos, play online and download large files.
Use a cable ISP.

These are the specs:
HP Pavilion ze5385us Notebook
Microprocessor - Intel Pentium4 Processor 2.66GHz
Microprocessor Cache - 512KB (L2)
Memory - 512MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 256MB) at 266MHz
Memory Max - Maximum Memory 1024MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)
Video Graphics - ATI MOBILITY RADEON; 4X AGP 3D architecture
Video Memory - 64MB DDR SDRAM (shared
Hard Drive - 60GB enhanced-IDE

Suggestions ?

 

[Vinnie]

Add another 512mb of memory....that should do it...i have an ibm laptop with 1.5 G memory...it's screaming fast...

 

[noPunter]

Just got this laptop back from being repaired,
Now I want to speed it up.

I watch streaming videos, play online and download large files.
Use a cable ISP.

Memory - 512MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 256MB) at 266MHz
Memory Max - Maximum Memory 1024MB DDR SDRAM (2 x 512MB)


Suggestions ?

Vinnie is right. Another 512MB of RAM would have you flying. You have 2 X 256 installed and you need 2 x 512.

 

[TwoCard]

Thanks for the response.

Memory 512MB DDR SDRAM

From the HP website

512MB 533MHz PC2-4200 DDR2 SODIMM Price: $89.99

512MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM Notebook Memory (512 megabit) Price: $89.99

512MB 333MHz DDR SDRAM Notebook Memory (256 megabit) Price: $89.99
HP recommends this one

512MB 667MHz PC2 5300 DDR2 SODIMM Memory Price: $89.99

What’s the difference ? The price is the same.

 

[noPunter]

this is just what a quick search came up with. Maybe can find even better price. HP may recommend what is best or what they need to get rid of.


http://www.upgradememory.com/category.cfm?foo=126573&SID=1&AFID=24&Category_ID=10798&solution=15231&

 

[Phaedrus]

If you're doing a lot of downloading, especially if the files come as exe, zip rar or other compressed formats, clear your prefetch cache once a day. Click Start->Run then enter c:/windows/prefetch just select everything in there and delete it.

A big cause of speed issues in XP machines, aside from the horrible memory management, is the prefetch cache, which can get huge if you run a lot of exectuables or self-contained files like .zip media. If you've never cleaned it out the difference the first time will probably be dramatic.


Phaedrus

 

[sg208]

I would do 1gb DDR (1 piece), uninstalled any security software like norton (this kills most of programs - just dont download anything u see downloadable), and change your harddrive to either 5400 RPM or even 7200 RPM... U'll get a kick ass laptop like mine.....

 

[TwoCard]

I would do 1gb DDR (1 piece.

Is this possible (1 piece)?
The specs say 1 GB max and there are two 250 chips now.

 

[sg208]

Is this possible (1 piece)?
The specs say 1 GB max and there are two 250 chips now.

Yeah... kinda true..... so you may want to do 2 x 512MB then.... it should perform better.

Try to use FIREFOX as your browser and they have a patch to make it faster. It should help.