External Memory

Is it possible to purchase some kind of external memory device on the order of at least 1 GB that can be attached to a laptop?

How much should it cost?

Does it actually work well?

 

are you speaking of a flash / thumb drive? If so there are dozens on the market priced anywhere from $5. up to $40. If it is something else you are speaking of please post back


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148152

 

I don't know what I need. I know I want more memory to play advanced games. I need at least 2 GB and I have 1 on an OS of Vista Home Premium. Would a flash do it? Some people in the game use 2 GB to 4GB or so.

 

Are you speaking of RAM?
go to this site and scan your computer it will tell you how much RAM your computer has and how much it can take

cruicial memory scanner

 

buggabear, I did the scan. I am not sure I understand what it is telling me. I saved the results as a page in my documents. It suggests an upgrade to 4 GB. If I am interpreting the report correctly, the upgrade must be internal rather than external. However, I do not know what I am looking at. Can you give me any help?

And yes, I do want the RAM since that is what the games require.

I believe the report says I have two slots with 512 each and I should replace them with 2 GB each since I have no additional slots.

 

Actually, since you have Vista, technically you can *also* use a flash drive or an SD card to speed up your machine by using a Vista feature called ReadyBoost.

There are differences of opinion on whether ReadyBoost will make your games run faster, but it is even faster and easier to stick a flash drive in your computer than open up the case and pry out the old RAM sticks. Not every flash drive or SD card can actually be used for ReadyBoost, but ones that do are easy to find and frequently inexpensive.

You can use ReadyBoost AND upgrade your RAM at the same time. I use maximum RAM and ReadyBoost simultaneously myself, although I am not a gamer, because I am an impatient person who uses a complex database program for work.

HTH

FJM

 

FJM,
I never considered ready boost however since he is using it for gaming he may be better off with the 4gb ram, but the decision is up srelt.

Srelt, in order for someone to assist you, we are going to need more info about your computer. You said the scanner suggested an upgrade to 4 gb. what version of windows are you currently using, if it's 32 bit your computer will only ready 2.5 to 3 gb of ram if it's 64 bit then yes your computer will read the entire 4. Also what type of computer are you using Make and model. with this information someone here can determine how difficult it is to install ram.

 

buggabear and FighterJetMom, here is the info for my pc:
Dell model 1405
OS: Windows Home Premium 2007
Processor: Intel Core Duo CPU 12250@1.73GHz 1.73GHz
RAM: 1 GB
System Type: 32 bit OS

If you need further info, let me know.

 

Just by looking at this even though the scanner said your computer can be upgraded to 4 gb ram 32 bit os can only see 2.5 to 3 g of ram so buying anything past that would be a waste.

 

Thanks, buggabear. I have tried one thing on my own. I compressed the "C" hard drive when I discovered that I only had 1.96 GB free. That got me back to 5.75 GB free or thereabouts. Therefore, I guess the first thing to do is purchase an external hard drive that will operate with and at the same time as my internal one in order to have more virtual memory. Am I on the right track with that?

Would a flash drive accomplish that? I have never used one. From reading up about them they have a slow and a fast function or area or something I do not understand. I do understand that the fast function is the one I want and that it should be high. Am I right again? What do you suggest?

Then, if that is not enough, I would purchase, and pay someone to install, a set of new, larger RAM memory cards. I have installed them in my desktop, but I have never opened a laptop. I understand that they are so much smaller that working on them is difficult. I guess I better get a pro to do that for me.

Any other advice?

 

dell laptop manual (Inspirion1405)

I just looked at the manual for installing memory for this laptop and it appears not to be such a hard task. I've included a link that will walk you through the installation of the memory. As far as what Fighter Jet MOM was talking about "ready boost" I can't help you much with that because I have never tried or directed anyone else in using it, so I'm not comfortable with giving you directions in it.

 

I also began looking for installation instructions for my laptop but I did it at Crucial, the link you gave me earlier (that is why I am an Private and you are not--ha). It does not look too difficult. However, your link, more specific to my model, will do the trick. That saves me money. Thanks.

 

I'm no where close to being a specialist i just like helping anyway i can.
Hope it works out for you, if there is anything else we can help you with post back.

 

I forgot to ask you what you thought about expanding my hard drive. See the previous post, the one before the last one. In it I mentioned my free space on the hard drive is on a little over 5 GB. If I need more, would an external do the job?

Would it be able to operate beside my internal one so that simultaneously they would allow more virtual memory?

Would a cheaper flash do just as well?

 

If you are that low on disk space, you might want to look into buying a bigger hard drive for your laptop. Also, some laptops come with low RPM hard drives, if you get a faster drive, you will get a little speed boost with a bit more of a battery drain.

CCleaner is a good drive cleaning tool: http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

 

Fred, good idea. My processor info and additional info is as follows: Intel Core Duo CPU T2250@1.73 GHz 1.73 GHz
32 bit OS
1 GB RAM
OS is Vista Home Premium
So, when I go in the store to get an external hard drive, is mine a slow, medium, or fast one? What do you suggest I ask for in terms of speed?

 

I meant replace the hard drive in the computer. You could then use the old drive in an external enclosure. Speed wise, look for a 5400 or more RPM drive.