Acer Travelmate 2203LC - Memory increase

Hi

I've previously upgraded my laptops memory from the 1GB that comes with the computer, however it's now reached the point where it's absolutely full and I'm wondering if I can increase it any further?

I've moved everything possible onto an external hard drive and ow the computer is running only program files, and I've even taken these down to the bare minimum of ones I use regularly. Defragmenting isn't an option as I have too little space left.

If anyone has any suggestions on what I can do to improve things they'd be much appreciated.

Julie

 

1gb???What memory are you talking about?The HDD or RAM??It's a little confusing....

 

Welcome to the forums, julsa28!

You seem to be confusing RAM (which comes in smaller quantities like 1GB) and your hard drive, where your files are stored.
Please post again with your full system specifications.

 

Sorry.... that was a lot of nonsensical rubbish above!

My actual hard drive is absolutely full. I've removed everything except programmes I use, and all other files are operating of an external hard-drive.

I've previously increased the RAM to 2Gb which helped generally with running speeds etc.

I'm basically wondering if there's anyway to save my computer or if I'm going to have to buy a new one?!

Unfortunately I'm running large programmes - primarily ACAD, Photoshop & Itunes (library already moved and sorted), and have been managing to kppp 500mb's free, but the last time itunes updated it stole the majority of this.

I can't defrag as it's so full.

I'm in work just now so don't have the full specs, but it's an Acer Travelmate 2203LC, 40GB harddrive, with RAM increased from 1GB to 2GB

Any suggestions you have would be appreciated.

Julie

 

Then it's time to buy a new, bigger internal hard drive and transfer everything over to it! Your TravelMate 2203LC uses a PATA or IDE hard drive (both terms mean the same thing).

Although most hard drive nowadays are SATA (which is incompatible), there still are upgrade options that can double, triple, quadruple, or even OCTUPLE your current hard drive capacity. Samsung's got an incredibly fast 160GB drive, and Western Digital's PATA drives go up to 320GB.

As for transferring over everything, there are tons of software programs out there that'll handle the transfer of your data from the 40GB original to the new drive.

 

Thanks! That sounds like exactly the sort of solution I'm looking for. I had no idea such a thing was possible.

Next stupid girl question.... you mention that there is hardware that would handle the data transfer. Would this also transfer program files or would I need to reinstall? Reason being that many of my programs have been borrowed over a period of years and would be extremely difficult to replace, which is why I've been loathe to buy a new laptop to date.

Thanks

Julie

 

It would make an "image" of your hard drive - literally a snapshot of everything you've got on there. Windows, program files, the whole kit and kaboodle.
Then, it would apply that image onto the new hard drive - in theory, everything should work.

Like I said, I haven't used one myself, but I've heard that Paragon and Acronis are the better options. Just get a trial version and you should be fine.

EDIT - Looks like Acronis' Migrate Easy is simple enough, but it's only for XP and Vista. If you've got Windows 7, use True Image instead.