Judging Older Laptop CPU / Bus Speed Performance

I basically upgrade all my notebooks, if they didn't come with one, to an SSD drive. Then carry an external USB 2.5" HD drive with the notebook in the laptop case for file storage. You can also carry a backup image file of your notebook install on the USB HD, which can be used to restore you internal SSD/HD in case of drive failure, or system corruption making your notebook UN-useable otherwise. This will make it a snap for a tech to restore your system should you not want to do it yourself. Just keep the backup image updated periodically.

Thank you Naio. But it probably needs internal cleaning, and I really do need trainer wheels with the external hard drive. I'm sure it is not plug & play and unless I get an answer to whether all RAM modules supposedly for this model work the same, don't sweat it, I'm going to keep having the willies about this.

Google how to replace the RAM on your particular laptop, if you are thinking of doing it. Some it is easy (I even had one once with a slot!) but for some you have to diassemble the whole computer.

Crucial wants $53.00 for 2GB of RAM, Sheepishly I shopped. Fish out of water time.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:

I can get 4GB of memory for something like thirty-three dollars. Or is this yet another minefield that I need a map to cross safely? Horror stories "Well that part number -should have worked- or -Oh No! Not -that- brand only Ghmyxcpgw brand works well in that model laptop!".

I think you're quit safe with using Crucial's web site to order and get the correct additional RAM.

So if the RAM is $33 and the external HD is $68.39, you have your solution for just under $102 (plus shipping of course). When you get up north, go to the local taco barn and buy a celebratory dinner...........

Bill

Installing memory in a laptop these days is pretty straightforward. If you can do maintenance on your motorhome, you can swap the memory out.

Before you buy the memory, plug the exact model number into a site like Crucial.com or Kingston - and see if you're ADDING or REPLACING.

You may have one slot, you may have two.

All I can share is what I'd do if I had that machine and needed to save money. I'd upgrade the RAM first.

I'd only upgrade the drive when I was sure the old one was dying and I'd NOT pay extra for SSD. I love SSDs, but if I was on a tight budget, they are clearly a luxury for me.

I like the idea of an external drive too. I haven't priced them recently but they're usually quite affordable.

For all of the external drives I have here (three) I've always bought an External Laptop HD case off eBay for $5-$6. Then I've used an older laptop drive in them. That's likely what I'd do again - buy the inexpensive case from eBay or Newegg and then a 500GB SATA drive from Newegg.

If the internal laptop drive dies, use the new one as the internal.

I have a couple of hardware hard drive duplicators that can duplicate whether the drive functions or not. Send me your old one and I probably have an SSD that I can put your old stuff on and return it to you... All of your data, pictures, OS, etc., will be there, just like it was, except much faster. I'll probably throw in some more RAM too.
All you will need to do is plug it back into your lappy and boot it up...
Your only cost is sending it to me...

Now THAT is what I choose! Thank you sir. I can Velcro the external drive on the lid near the hinge.

I can get 4GB of memory for something like thirty-three dollars. Or is this yet another minefield that I need a map to cross safely? Horror stories "Well that part number -should have worked- or -Oh No! Not -that- brand only Ghmyxcpgw brand works well in that model laptop!"

The only smart thing I know about computers is to admit I know nothing and ask the experts.

You know, this might be the way to go. Buy a separate external HD. Below is a 1TB unit from Western Digital for $68.39. They're just a hair larger than a deck of cards and weigh slightly more so carrying one around is not a problem. By using this, you leave the operating system and programs on the Gateway HD.

WD 1TB External HD Amazon $68.39

2TB units are $89.

While this is made for newer USB 3.0 connections (due to age the Gateway will have USB 2.0 connections) all 3.0s are backwards compatible - they just don't deliver the 3.0 speed.

I believe there's also software loaded on it so that it will automatically serve as a back up HD for the Gateway in case it ever crashes. This may be beyond Mex's knowledge to execute, but if it happens, someone else (one of his kids?) can probably do it for him. And by being an external separate hard drive, it can be plugged into another PC if he changes computers.

I think this would be both the easiest and most cost efficient way of doing things. If he gets it ordered quickly, it should get to his address in CA to pick up on his trip. If not, he should be able to go into a Best Buy, pull up this add, and they'll match this price though he'll have to also pay taxes on it (8 - 12%?).

Other ideas?

Bill

Since whatever I seem to choose loves banging away at the hard drive... :(

A solid state drive might be an option if they are not too expensive and if I can find someone up there to change it over and make it work. My old Compaq failed obviously due to the Dust Bowl like conditions here and it was the gizmo that makes the disk spin that failed. I fear financially I may be biting off more than I can chew and frankly I do not want to waste anyone's time here by me fantasizing pipe dreams.

I do not even know how an external hard drive functions with the internal hard drive. Does it send and receive data automatically or does the info have to be sent and receive manually? Like file by file or something? At my advanced age I fear learning just enough to become dangerous.