mike456

ReadyBoost - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I am thinking of upgrading to vista just for the readyboost feature... (I have low ram)

Is there a program that does the same thing?

mike456

I did some more research on it, and found that its not as fast as physical memory (ram), but it is faster than virtual memory. So basically it uses your usb drive, or memory stick instead of your hard drive for virtual memory (which is faster).... I am tempted to upgrade.

Jodi

Don't bother with Vista unless you have at least 1.5GB memory. I recommend a min. of 2gb.

Essence EFA

mike456

I have 447MB ram, but I also got a 1gb m/s that I was going to use with readyboost... Is that enough?

My cousin has a laptop that came with vista, and 500MB ram, and it is painfully slow.

But I am thinking if I use the readyboost it will be fast...

Have you tried the readyboost feature?

maniclion

If you want more out of your system then DL Linux and save your money for RAM upgrades....

Gordo

VISTA offers no advantage (imo) over XP unless you're a gamer and you're willing to wait until all the DX10 issues get resolved (like slower games with DX10).

Till then (in a Windows product) XP Pro (x64 if you can find it) is your best choice.

VISTA offers a whole bunch of DRM built-in as well, further crippling the way you'd like to work at home. Ready boost is too gimmicky and really, you'd be better off buying RAM.
Windows XP vs. Vista: The Benchmark Rundown | Tom's Hardware
Also, if your hardware is old and critical software hasn't had an update in a while, you will likely run into all sorts of issues. Lot's of issues!

The best way to get Vista is when you buy a new machine, Otherwise, I'd say forget it and wait for at least service pack 1, like most businesses.

"If you don't bend those legs and do those squats, you'll never reach your potential."
Paul Anderson

BoneCrusher

I just finished my own test with vista and the results are in ... it blows chunks. I re-formated the drive last night and installed XP pro. One would think a gig of ram and duo core processors would = a fast system. Not with vista. One would think all the latest models of peripherals would have no problem running on any OS. Not on vista. Software? You know those programs you like to use? You know what I mean ... the ones you've chosen by trial and error and really like because of how they work? With vista you get to start that all over and find new programs ... weeeeeee!!! If you like to install and uninstall programs and peripherals for practice, and you like to google driver updates to suit your vista OS then go ahead and install vista. Enjoy yourself. If you're sane and want ease of use with your system, then don't do it.

I'm not even going to get into the firewall and licensing issues I had as I downloaded various torrents. Think vista firewall off just because you go in a manually turn it off? Not.

KelJu

Your pc will shit it's pants if you install vista with less than a gig of ram. Vista is a piece of shit, also. Stay with XP, then get a vista compatible pc in a year or two.

mike456

Thanks guys, I definitely wont get Vista now. Another Question... My PC said it has 512MB Ram, and theres even a sticker on it that says 512 MB Ram, but when I go to properties, it says I only have 448MB of ram, why is this?

DOMS

Your video processor is built on to the motherboard, so it gets its memory from the system memory. This is called "shared memory".

You could increase your computer's performance a lot by purchasing a stand-alone video card. Probably for less than $60.

mike456

I have a NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Video Card, so if I uninstall it I will get all my ram back? Or do I need the video card for my pc to function?

Steele20

Vista business cost me $16.95 plus around $7.00 in shipping. MSDN academic alliance... so sweet.

Gordo

Yes you would get your RAM back....but,
You need a video card to "see" anything. If you turn off the built-in video card, you need to install a separate card, otherwise it'll be a blank screen.

"If you don't bend those legs and do those squats, you'll never reach your potential."
Paul Anderson

KelJu

Cost me $0.00 from the MSDNAA. You realize you can download them and burn your own copy right?

Steele20

Are we talking about the same thing here?

KelJu

Yes. MSDNAA provides microsoft software to students for free through the university.

Steele20

Damn what university do you go too? Here at UCF they don't.

KelJu

I am in the computer science department at south. Only computer science students get to use their MSDNAA. I get to download, or the option to order a cd for the cost of shipping for every microsoft product. It has been a pretty sweet deal.

Mudge

RAM is way cheaper than upgrading to Vista, wow. Don't even think twice about this one, just forget it.

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Prince

I just bought a new laptop with Vista, it has 1gig of RAM, and it runs fine.

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mike456

I was going to get it for free, lol, but forget it... I hear way too many bad things about it.

mike456

Is this to good to be true? Am I missing something or is 30 bucks for 1gb ram normal? 1GB DDR2 PC4200 533MHz PC2 4200 240PIN 1 GB 533 RAM on eBay Memory for Desktop PC, Desktop Laptop Components, Computers Networking

KelJu

That isn't unusual. Ram is dirt cheap. Make sure the ram you found is the right pin size and clockspeed for your computer. Buying new ram that is rated higher than what your motherboard can support can cause problems.