----- Original Message -----
From: Lynn <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2000 4:14 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Compressing C Drive


> In just the past week I have noticed a major slowing of my computer.
The
> only program that I have recently installed is Eudora 4.3 which I wish
I'd
> never done and Ram Booster. Now the computer takes forever to move
from one
> email message and the next one. But it is also slowing my Internet web
page
> loading to darn near a  week to load one page. IMO this sucks. The
thing is
> how do you know if the slowing is because I need more Ram or hard disk
> space. I have purchased Microsoft Plus! but I didn't install
DriveSpace3. I
> have no idea what would happen if I compressed the C drive. Can
someone
> explain the pros and cons of this procedure. I've heard compressing
the
> hard disk also slows the computer. At this time I don't have the funds
to
> upgrade on Ram just now. I'm running a Gateway P5-100 with 16 MB Ram
and
> one ole Pentium. Is it very difficult to install more memory yourself?

I've never used one of those "RAM doubler" programs.  From what I
remember hearing about them the best that can be said is that they may
not cause any harm.  In other words, they really don't do much to help
with low memory problems.  I'd start by uninstalling RAM Booster and see
if that helps with your recent slow down.

You don't mention how much disk space you have left but I'd guess that
you are probably low on disk space too.  Go to Windows Explorer and
right-click on your C drive then choose Properties to see how much disk
space you have left.  Please check on this and write another message to
the list giving us this information.

You will see a great increase in speed in any version of Windows by
increasing your memory from 16MB to 32MB.  Beyond that, you will
probably not see a big difference - depending on how you use your
system.  Memory prices have been dropping lately so maybe it's time to
look again.  32MB of used 72-pin SIMMs are going for around $35 on Ebay
right now - about 2/3 of new price in my local stores.  It's not
difficult to install more memory but if you are not comfortable doing it
yourself the first time, you could try asking someone to help - a local
computer users' group is a good place to start if you don't know anyone.

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