slow pc

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peahouse05

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Hello All,
Have been doing some electrical work for my neice, who I have not seen for some time, (stuff the EU directive). She is complaining about her new PC from PC World (£499).
I tried it - P4 Celeron 2.8GHz, 40Gb HD, 256MB RAM. It took an age to boot XP Home, and System showed 232MB of RAM. She has Broadband but the little yellow strips come up like on dial-up. PC World have offered an additional 256 MB of RAM for £15.
I don't think this rig is fit for purpose and have advised her to try to get a refund.
Any advice welcome.
Thanks in advance,
peahouse05:mad:
 
I doubt she'll get a refund, but throwing another 256mb ram into the mix should help no end as trying to boot xp with 256mb is just dire...should have 512mb as standard....


Why didn't she ask for advice on here before buying, we could of saved her a lot of hassle and time....Never mind..:(
 
They keep doing that, and they ain't alone ... just enough memory to make the thing work. :rolleyes:
A 40gig HD :confused: where the hell did they get them from. :confused:

When I first started installing XP on my 'customers' PCs, 6years ago, I always put 1gig ram in there.


The min is 512, in my book, if they are "cheating" even further and the PC has an intrigrated graphics card, you need more, 1gig min. The "sweet spot" for XP is 1.5gig ram, 2gig is easier as you need to use two slots these days. Most of us do fine with 1gig. :)

The Celeron is not a racehorse, it's a donkey and should be avoided. ;)

Sorry to say, but they are well within the statute of the law to sell you a PC in that "state" as it err, does work eventually. It is £250 overpriced. :thumb:


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Thanks Mucks,
Needless to say she didn't ask, just wandered into PC World and got tempted by the pretty colours on the case and 'advice' from a salesperson.
Cheers,
peahouse05:wall:
 
peahouse05 said:
Needless to say she didn't ask, just wandered into PC World and got tempted by the pretty colours on the case peahouse05
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Click to expand...
Must tell my boss to jazz up the colours of the laptops we supply:p
 
Thanks crazylegs,
Got the full story today - neice had gone to PC World for a cheap laptop and at least the salesperson advised her that a PC was better value. She did ask for a 'basic' setup for internet and the kids homework (I hope there isn't a piece of software somewhere which does the homework:nod: but you can buy a thesis so why not?).
She is also paying 5.99 a month for something, so advised her to cancel that since there must be a 12 month guarantee. Oh I remember you take the PC 34 miles to Barnstaple to be serviced every 12 months.
Cheers,
peahouse05:thumb:
 
Slowpc

Hi All,
As a last postscript to this sorry episode can anyone tell me why 256MB RAM should show in System as 232MB. I am obviously desparate to see PC World as guilty of some error here.
Thanks in advance,
peahouse05:(
 
peahouse05 said:
Hi All,
As a last postscript to this sorry episode can anyone tell me why 256MB RAM should show in System as 232MB. I am obviously desparate to see PC World as guilty of some error here.
Thanks in advance,
peahouse05:(
Click to expand...
On-board video, if it is, is 'sharing' the ram? ... but strange to be only 24mb

Is there a 'brand' name to this PC?


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Hi Mucks,
Just from the outside of the case (but tempted to go inside) this PC is EI Systems EI-102 PC, Celeron D, 256 MB DDR RAM, 40GB HD, 16xDVD RW,SiS661 FX AGP Graphics, SiS 900 LAN.
Got niece to ring PC World today - she got through after approx 10 min. The adviser recommended additional RAM - 512MB to add to the 256Mb on board (he did say the 'shortage' of existing RAM was due to the Graphics card, as you stated in a previous reply).
Can understand this so far due to forum experience but I then asked her to get a quote for a Gig of RAM. Adviser said although there are two slots on the motherboard, the computer could not handle a Gig. What is this - the MB, the CPU, or what? I'm so glad I joined you lot!
Thanks in anticipation,
peahouse05:confused:
 
huh!

Oh great stuff ... no need to go inside, you'd have a fit. :rolleyes:

Right ... it is an abomination and I think you were right in the first place ... "fit for the purpose" HA, fit for the bin more like.

Has it been 7days yet ... if not, take the bloody thing back, plonk it on the counter and get your money back.

:o I better calm down here, this ain't the Scot's thread ... :o

Deep breaths, deep breath ... naw, no good, I'm off to get a coffee.


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Thanks Mucks,
It's been a couple of months so no chance of a refund. The TFT monitor was £136, Norton whatever £29, first payment of 'servicing' £5.99 (cancelled that) , so the 'thing' cost £328. Case, psu, keyboard, mouse (which is slow to respond in certain directions) £50?. So she is talking about approx £280 for the crap inside.
Must be worth looking inside to see what the MB is, ---- the guarantee, but, as ever, will wait for your advice.
Sorry to keep on about this but they ain't rich.
Regards,
peahouse05:(
 
Naw, no need to go inside untill you get the extra ram. Then tell me what the MB markings say, probably wont find it on the net though.

OK, for the price it will have to do.

Norton I would not buy these days ... If it is on the PC, take it off and go get Anti-Vir or Nod32 or F-Secure or even a 12 bore ... ;)

Only capable of 1gig of ram?? ... maybe so, but will need to know what the MB is. 2 sticks of 512 should be no problem ... that will leave you with an odd stick of 256 ... why the "advisor" states what he/she does is back to what is the MB?


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