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Topic:
computer/web site help/ advice
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ZOOfo-Dyas
Title: Former RMFF CR
Registered:
Oct '04
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Date Posted:
6/30 7:31am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Taeriel posted:
Best Buy sucks. I was hoping to actually see a version of this laptop in person. We called Best Buy to see if they had one on display, and they claimed that they did. So we drove over there... went to a lot of hassle finding parking at this mall... only to find that they didn't have the laptop on display. They pointed me to a completely different model and thought that was adequate. WTF?
At this point, about all I can do is order the system sight-unseen and see if I like it. Costco has a 90 day return policy; if I find I don't like it, I'll have the option to return it. It'd be less hassle to see whether I like it *before* buying it, but... *shrug*
And I'm still worried about lifetime, but I'm not sure what to do about it. Is this a laptop problem in general, or does Dell have a bad rep for laptops?
My understanding is that it's laptops in general. They take more abuse than a desktop, and they are next to impossible to upgrade, let alone affordably.
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with the possible exception of handguns and tequila.
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Jyn
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
6/30 7:44am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Any computer, laptop or desktop is likely to have significant performance drops after a couple years. I've dealt with this in the past by doing a clean reinstall of the desktop when I can't stand it anymore. There are a few stopgaps you can do to push that out further though in the form of registery cleaners and such.
CCleaner is a program that cleans just about everything, it can do the registry too but it's an "at your own risk" feature of the software they disable by default. Even if it appears to be an abandoned registry entry it might not be and could get tricky. However, it does enough of the other clean up tasks that it can greatly extend the performance response you get.
Just be careful as earlier versions of the software have removed uninstall info for some things that shouldn't have been, the big one having been the IE7 Beta 2, a TON of people, including myself, had to deal with that headache since the beta had to be removed before the release version could be installed.
My advice if anyone starts using that software is to not take the program's word for it and if you're not sure about something, don't let it remove it, you have to verify everything before it gets rid of it so you can protect yourself, but some of those lists can get really long and it's hard to make yourself do it lol.
I believe they have a free trial version, but it only can remove 2 things from each category if I recall correctly. Been a while since I installed it. Or not, apparently it's free now... 
CCleaner Looks like they have some other new software that I might need to check out too... Defraggler... gotta love that name.
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Taeriel
Registered:
Feb '03
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Date Posted:
7/7 11:34pm
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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So, this is my second post on my new laptop, the first having been in JGoC's apocalypse thread. I went ahead and got hte Dell laptop. In a way, it's on trial. I couldn't find one to check out in person so I had to order it sight, well, touch, er, untouched. Costco has a good return policy, so I'm going to try it for a bit and see how I like it.
One confusing thing - the system is suppose to have 4GB RAM, but the system properties list 3.49GB. Is this a weird fuzzy computer math thing, or maybe they don't list RAM it is sharing with the video card...?
Thanks for the advice, Jyn! I confess I'm always scared to use those registry programs for exactly the reasons you listed. 
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Mistress
Title: Former CR
SCFF
Registered:
Oct '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 8:42am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Let me know how your new laptop works for ya, T. I am in the market to buy somethin, and I drooled buckets over your specs. 
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"For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." Aristotle
Proud member of the "Prayer for Palin" brigade...we pray for no Palin.
Today's episode has been brought to you by the number e.
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SITH__CHICK
Title: RMFF President and Chapter Rep
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 8:49am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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I'm pretty sure it uses some of the RAM & hard drive space to run programs, so that would be used memory. Even our iPod does it, strange to me. I'm so glad I'm not an IT tech 
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www.blockleash.com
Sometimes I wish we could agree to disagree. Because I am, what I am & that's all I am.
When I said WE, you know I meant ME, when I said SW
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ArchaicRebel
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:12am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Windows Vista (I'm assuming what's on there, 'cause I can't remember) automatically uses up 512 MB or .51 GB. I think XP was 256 MB. Maybe I'm wrong. Can we get some confirmation?
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Zoom: At what point in the evolutionary process does a beaver decide to have sex with a duck?
Snarkiteer, Apprentice to Zoom_Cthooga, Brother of FenigDurak
Russian Satellite Orbiting Heavenly Body
Attitude Last Adjusted On: Sunday, 17 August 2008
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Jyn
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:33am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Sounds about right to me, but it may depend on how the OS is installed.. my work PC is showing the full 2GB that's installed and I think my home desktop shows the full 4GB
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Mistress
Title: Former CR
SCFF
Registered:
Oct '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:34am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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I got the impression that she was looking at available RAM not installed RAM. *shrug*
-----signature-----
"For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." Aristotle
Proud member of the "Prayer for Palin" brigade...we pray for no Palin.
Today's episode has been brought to you by the number e.
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Jyn
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:38am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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I've had installed RAM show less than what was actually there fairly regularly. Sometimes it's bad ram, sometimes it's OS funkiness and sometimes there's no explanation at all.
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Mistress
Title: Former CR
SCFF
Registered:
Oct '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:39am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Could little people be to blame? They have of late been making strange noises in RDT's new SUV. *shrug*
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"For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." Aristotle
Proud member of the "Prayer for Palin" brigade...we pray for no Palin.
Today's episode has been brought to you by the number e.
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SITH__CHICK
Title: RMFF President and Chapter Rep
Registered:
Mar '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:52am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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I think it's the little people too. They are everywhere but where you need them. Like they could have done my work for me last night, but NO!
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www.blockleash.com
Sometimes I wish we could agree to disagree. Because I am, what I am & that's all I am.
When I said WE, you know I meant ME, when I said SW
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Mistress
Title: Former CR
SCFF
Registered:
Oct '02
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Date Posted:
7/8 9:53am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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Sorry about that Kim, I had them making shoes for me last night. Trouble is, the only made left shoes. 
Its so hard to find good help these days.
-----signature-----
"For man, when perfected, is the best of animals, but, when separated from law and justice, he is the worst of all." Aristotle
Proud member of the "Prayer for Palin" brigade...we pray for no Palin.
Today's episode has been brought to you by the number e.
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Grimby the Hutt
Title:
• JCC Mod with no MSG
• RMFF webmaster
Registered:
Apr '00
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Date Posted:
7/8 10:06am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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I've never seen a PC show less than the actual installed RAM in the system properties. Then again, I haven't used Vista very much.
Though I think having an integrated video card is probably your culprit. I've read that they will automatically take a certain amount of the available RAM and your propterties will display the remainder as if that extra 1/2 Gig never existed.
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Jyn
Registered:
Aug '06
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Date Posted:
7/8 10:18am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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That definately could be the culprit, thinking about the systems I've seen it on.. both my work pc and home desktop have non-integrated video cards and laptops don't have an option on that front (least none I've seen).
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ArchaicRebel
Registered:
May '04
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Date Posted:
7/8 10:22am
Subject:
RE: computer/web site help/ advice
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My work laptop has 1.00 GB of RAM installed, and that's what it shows. Maybe it has a non-integrated video card still?
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Zoom: At what point in the evolutionary process does a beaver decide to have sex with a duck?
Snarkiteer, Apprentice to Zoom_Cthooga, Brother of FenigDurak
Russian Satellite Orbiting Heavenly Body
Attitude Last Adjusted On: Sunday, 17 August 2008
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