[shumster]

Get a Mac!

Not for the memory issue, it just will be less susceptible to spyware, viruses and the like.

[shumster]

Should also add that the different interfaces are easy to get used to...if my 3 1/2 yr old can figure out the Start button (XP) and Dock (OSX) then anyone can!

[nation]

hermoine - keep us posted how get along with your RAM purchase and installation. I've got a Sony laptop too, currently with 512 Mb and need to upgrade also. Aparently my machine can only go up to 1Gb so I need to find an extra 512Mb.

Anyone know if there's a generic stick of RAM for laptops or am I limited to particularly brands? Also when I get them to instal it do I need to backup my system? I'd be mighty pi$$ed if they wiped my C and D drives.

[TaLL|dUdE]

generic sticks should work but branded one's are more reliable from my personal experience. warranty is another factor you might want to consider.

backing up is a good idea just in case of unforseen circumstances. usually though you don't need to. but you never know, an accidental spill on the hdd or something and your data is toast.

use disk image creation software like norton ghost or true image and the like to make an exact clone of your hdd to keep your data safe.

[HKFella]

Originally Posted by TaLL|dUdE

http://buycomp.hkgolden.com/

you can check there to get an idea

Oh so that's happened to the erstwhile hkgolden.com when I wasn't looking. Thanks, pal!

[TaLL|dUdE]

actually if you just went to hkgolden.com it would go to the chinese version. buycomp would go to the english version.

once in a while it goes down though probably for maintenance reasons.

[nation]

Thanks Tall Dude. Yeah I've got a copy of Norton Ghost but haven't loaded it up yet. So now's the time

[TaLL|dUdE]

yeah give it a try. if you need any help just let me know.

[hermoine]

Hi Nation, to keep you posted...Devlib has provided extremely useful advise on lessening memory leaks from Firefox. I have tried a few precedures and it seems that the virtual memory usage has indeed decreased substantially. So I I will give it a little observation time before venture for more RAM. If you use Firefox, do check whether it's the devil who uses up your virtual memory.

[nation]

Hi Hermoine. I'm pretty satisfied with my machine as it runs now. It's speedy enough and I can run a few programs without bogging it down. My main problem is running Photoshop CS2. Well even that's not so much of a problem - just opening new files or batch processing slows things down a bit. Working off a single file once it's open is pretty smooth just buggy at times. So I'm really after an extra 512MB to make CS2 run smoother. Fingers crossed your obesrvation period is successful