winme upgrade to winxp

I am going to upgrade to winxp,and also upgrade my memory on my dell dimension 4100 from 128mb to 256mb.
Should I install the mem.first or winxp? Does it make any difference? Thanks in advance.
edmon

 

What OS are you running now??

 

Install the RAM first. You really should have a minimum of 512mb RAM for WinXP. It will run on 256mb, but it'll be kind of sluggish. If your CPU isn't at least 600mhz, it'll be VERY sluggish with only 256mb. You should also find out if hard drive is 7200rpm (it probably isn't). Go to the hard drive maker's web site with the drive's model number and look up the specs. WinXP is very resource hungry (compared to WinME), and more RAM and a faster hard drive is a must!

hopperdave2000

 

Thanks for the reply,my drive is ether a ata-66(5400 rpm or ata ultra 100(7200 RPM),i'll have to open it up tp see.If it's only 5400 should I not upgrade till I replace the hard drive?In hardware profiles it just list it as generic disk type 47.

 

Check your memory type before you do anything.

Studio T

 

I still run an old Compaq Presario with a 500mhz processor and 256 RAM with XP. It runs fine for internet, Office and such. I notice very little difference for these kinds of tasks between Win98 (previous OS) and XP. Using XP as the OS on this old computer made it workable. If I was forced to use 98, I'd have gotten rid of it sooner.

If your going to want to play games or use programs like photoshop you may be in trouble. But for simple programs and web browsing the HD speed should not be a major concern and probably won't make much difference. I think my HD in that comp is 7200 but I may have run a 5400 in it as well.

 

Thanks everyone for your input,my hard drivr is 7200 rpm so I think I'll upgrade the mem to 512. edmon