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Tech Talk
I have a HP Pavilion 7840 that I bought a few years ago. I got a
good deal on it because it was left-over and a newer version was coming out the next month. It came installed with Windows
ME. I've always had problems with freezing and crashing and I've heard that it could be because of Windows ME. I'm wondering
if I should upgrade to XP or if that's even possible. I'm computer literate when it comes to using software and the Internet but
I don't know much about Operating Systems. Should I just bail and buy a new computer as soon as I can?
-- Weldon S.
After doing some research on your computer model,
I found that it initially only shipped with 64MB of RAM. Windows ME was not the most stable operating system to begin with,
but with that little amount of RAM available for the operating system to use, it's a wonder that the machine worked at all.
I would first try upgrading the RAM in your machine to 256MB or even
512MB if you can afford it (512 is the maximum your machine can handle). Your computer takes PC 100 SDRAM, but you will probably
only find PC 133 SDRAM in stores, which will also work fine. You should be able to find two 128MB RAM chips for around $60
each, bringing your system RAM up to 256 (there are only 2 slots, so you will have to remove the factory 64MB chip.)
Installing RAM is not a difficult job, but it does require that you take the cover off your computer and replace
some of the components. If you are uncomfortable doing this, bring your computer to a professional and let them do it properly.
As far as Windows XP goes, it is definitely a more stable operating system with lots of new features, but it also
runs best on newer machines and makes some older peripherals such as printers and scanners, and even some software, obsolete
and in need of updating. I would try just upgrading the RAM in your machine and see what it does for you. It should speed
things up considerably and bring new life into an old machine...
Good luck,
Tech Talk
Can you tell me the difference between a Mac and a PC? I've heard
a Mac isn't as good for everyday playing games and stuff. Everybody says not to bother with one unless you want to do things
like brochures and printing. So, what's the difference?? Besides the mac costs so much more. :-)
-Valerie, Chatham
This has got to be one of the toughest questions
to answer without being biased to one system or another. I say this, because I am a Mac user, and will do my best to answer
fairly. I will however, mostly talk about Macs, since most people already have a solid opinion about Windows machines.
First,
I would like to debunk the myth that Macs aren't good for gaming. One visit to www.insidemacgames.com will prove this. This is a site dedicated to the Macintosh gaming community, and keeps people informed about the latest and
greatest games and gaming technologies available for the Mac.
Viruses plague the world of PCs every day, but are rarely a concern for
Mac users. I'm not saying they don't exist, but rather there is a significantly less amount of them attacking Macs.
As
far as everyday software goes, almost every major popular software application that is available for Windows, is also available
for the Mac. And not only do these programs run almost identical on both platforms, they often run even better on the Mac.
Compare features on Microsoft Office for Windows, and those for Office on the Mac, and you will find that the Mac version offers
a lot of stuff that isn't possible on a Windows machine.
The biggest difference between Macs and PCs is the operating system itself. PCs run on Microsoft Windows, while Macs
run on Apple's operating system, the latest of which is OS X Jaguar.
The major flaw with Macintosh computers in our
area, is that there aren't many places that sell them. Larger areas don't have this problem, and Macs and their software are
readily available. Here, however, the only real chance to get a Mac or software for your Mac is to order it online, or through
a Mac reseller.
Check out this link for an objective look and comparison at both computing platforms from TechTV, a
great resource online and on television for everything new and digital.
www.apple.com/games/Also, many people believe that Intel based computers are much faster, because they run at higher clock speeds. Right
now the Pentium IV is running at around 3.0 GHz, while the Mac's fastest is a Dual 1.4 GHz machine. Seems, like quite the
speed difference doesn't it. The problem is, these machines use entirely different processors, and cannot be compared simply
in terms of GHz for speed. AMD is fighting this same "Megahertz Myth" with its line of processors including the Athlon and
Duron. Do a search on Google, or your favorite search engine for "megahertz myth" and you will find a ton of information
about this. The best way to find out which is better between a Mac or PC, is to not listen to others, but form your
own opinion. Do some research, try and find someone who has a Mac who will let you try it out, and decide for yourself what
is best. Best of luck in your research, Tech Talk
Send your PC and MAC questions to Tech Talk and we'll help you solve them. If you want to know why your
computer freezes when you open certain software, what you should look for in an upgrade, and why you're receiving strange
email or none at all, we can help. Email your tech questions and comments to editor@breadnmolasses.com Type Tech Talk in the subject line.
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