#1 Car Club In Kitchener - Waterloo - Cambridge - Guelph - View Single Post

**neonSRT** · 03-24-2008, 11:15 AM

1) There is two ways to get USB 2.0 ports. A new motherboard, or a USB 2.0 PCI card. You can probably pick up a PCI USB 2.0 card for like $30, and its MUCH friendlier than a new board.

2) Depending on what you're doing, 1gb can be plenty. I personally have 2gb in mine, and NEVER come close to using all of it. If you run lots of memory intensive programs at the same time, jumping up to 2gb is never a bad idea. 4gb is useless unless you have a 64bit processor(which you don't), and run a 64bit OS. You could use 3, but thats the most you'll be able to use with a 32bit processor/OS.

3) You could potentially get a slightly faster processor and keep your current motherboard, but its not worth it. If you're going to get a faster chip you should be getting a core2duo(or AMD equivalent). That'll require a new motherboard and new RAM though. If you get a new board, you'll very likely have to format/reinstall. I have seen the odd time where windows doesn't blow up with a motherboard change, but thats VERY rare.

4) Double check with Daemon tools, you have to specifically go in and set the number of devices to be disabled or it'll show a drive even if the program isn't running. If the DVD burner isn't reading properly and won't burn, its very likely either dirty or toast. New DVD burners are like $30 now, just make sure you get an IDE one not SATA(unless you get a new motherboard that supports SATA).

5) I wouldn't worry about the floppy.. Its weird that it still detects though. Did they possibly just move it inside the case to the wrong spot so you can't see it through the slot?

6) Partition magic *can* resize a partition like that, but it can be PAINFULLY slow... Like could take many days, or beyond a week.

If you go to c:\windows\ and set it to view hidden files, and system files there will be quite a few folders that are named something like $NtUninstall.... Those are all the updates, you can definitely just delete all of them. You won't be able to uninstall the updates, but if its been running fine after a reboot then who cares.

I'd also bet that system restore is taking up a HUGE chunk of space. Right click the 'my computer' icon and go to properties, then system restore tab. Click on the C:\ drive, then settings. I have mine to use 2% of the drive, which is ~480mb.. By default, it'll be using A LOT more. You can also turn it off on the D:\ drive if you want, since its kinda useless on a non system drive.

03-24-2008, 11:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
neonSRT VM Moderator Posts: 12,178 Location: Guelph Join Date: Nov 2003 Ride: 91 VW GTI Fav Mod: Azenis RT615's Class: Street	1) There is two ways to get USB 2.0 ports. A new motherboard, or a USB 2.0 PCI card. You can probably pick up a PCI USB 2.0 card for like $30, and its MUCH friendlier than a new board. 2) Depending on what you're doing, 1gb can be plenty. I personally have 2gb in mine, and NEVER come close to using all of it. If you run lots of memory intensive programs at the same time, jumping up to 2gb is never a bad idea. 4gb is useless unless you have a 64bit processor(which you don't), and run a 64bit OS. You could use 3, but thats the most you'll be able to use with a 32bit processor/OS. 3) You could potentially get a slightly faster processor and keep your current motherboard, but its not worth it. If you're going to get a faster chip you should be getting a core2duo(or AMD equivalent). That'll require a new motherboard and new RAM though. If you get a new board, you'll very likely have to format/reinstall. I have seen the odd time where windows doesn't blow up with a motherboard change, but thats VERY rare. 4) Double check with Daemon tools, you have to specifically go in and set the number of devices to be disabled or it'll show a drive even if the program isn't running. If the DVD burner isn't reading properly and won't burn, its very likely either dirty or toast. New DVD burners are like $30 now, just make sure you get an IDE one not SATA(unless you get a new motherboard that supports SATA). 5) I wouldn't worry about the floppy.. Its weird that it still detects though. Did they possibly just move it inside the case to the wrong spot so you can't see it through the slot? 6) Partition magic can resize a partition like that, but it can be PAINFULLY slow... Like could take many days, or beyond a week. If you go to c:\windows\ and set it to view hidden files, and system files there will be quite a few folders that are named something like $NtUninstall.... Those are all the updates, you can definitely just delete all of them. You won't be able to uninstall the updates, but if its been running fine after a reboot then who cares. I'd also bet that system restore is taking up a HUGE chunk of space. Right click the 'my computer' icon and go to properties, then system restore tab. Click on the C:\ drive, then settings. I have mine to use 2% of the drive, which is ~480mb.. By default, it'll be using A LOT more. You can also turn it off on the D:\ drive if you want, since its kinda useless on a non system drive. ------------------ Roses are #FF0000 Violets are #0000FF All my base are belong to you.