Then, are all hard drives the same size, and the RAM you have to go with it makes it bigger ?
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Then, are all hard drives the same size, and the RAM you have to go with it makes it bigger ?
Your new hard drive will probably come with a special floppy disk. However, before you use it, post in the forum and let us know what it is. Maxtors, Western Digitals and others usually come with what is called a disk overlay program such as EZ-BIOS, MaxBlast, etc.. These are "good" if you have a motherboard/BIOS that doesn't support hard drives over 2 gigs. I will assume the new motherboard you get DOES support over 2 gigs, so the disk will be unecessary---even detrimental if you use it. But we're not there yet. (The "Windows Boot Disk" is made while you are installing Win 98.)
Thanks a lot Train. Makes sense to me. Trouble is I'm impatient to do this and want it right now. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Bistro and Queen of Hearts brought up somethin'. The OS. Here's the question. Build PC>new hard drive>install WIN OS. Is DOS necessary or just a want to have?
Bistro - How did the pool party go? Got daughter to nine ok?
Mosaic,
This is a problem I have never had to worry about. But I can see that if it is 15 or 30 gigs stuff gets spread all over the place and you would partition to control that ?
And I think I just answered my own question. They are obviously not all the same size !
I think I'll worry about that afterwards. To much to learn now.
Is hard drive and hard disk the same thing ?
So, why would I salvage this one (now don't laugh....) 802MB https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
PC hard drives are almost all the same physical size--just slight variances. But they come in different capacities;
i.e. 10, 20, 30 gigabytes and up. Also two basic speeds: 5400 rpm(revolutions per minute) or 7200 rpm. (There ARE faster ones such as 10,000rpm jobs---but forget those--special purpose). Of course, the faster they spin, the faster the info is accessed. I won't get into Bus speeds here--would be too confusing at this point. Suffice it to say, the more gigabytes of "memory" the hd has, the more programs and file storage space you'll have to play with. However, you can go overboard with this---for home use (simple projects, word processing, games), a 60 gigabyte hd would really be a waste of space and money---you'll probably never really use it all. But if you do a lot of archiving of large files, or into high-end graphics, etc.--it might be perfect.
If you don't want to have to upgrade in the
near future, you want a 7200rpm (ATA-66 or 100) hard drive and a motherboard that supports it--the RAM "speed" should match that (called PC-100 or PC-133). Ram amount? 128 mb or more.
P.S.--yes, "hard drive" and "hard disk" are the same animal.
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-05-2000).]
All these numbers and innitials are finally starting to make sense. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Great explanation bistro.
Hello Queen of Hearts, Did you notice how modest Mosaic is while promoting her running buddies. I bet she can't wait to get to two new hard drives. You notice how they keep overloading our input circuits? Non ferrous tools, static bracelets, outlets for dust, ATX case, 300W PS, etc. etc. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Ya think we've given her the fever ?
She wouldn't do that to HP.....Would she?
Now we see progress, when terms start being comfortable.
Believe it or not as you wish. But, learning a lot and enjoying it.
Now to convince someone else https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ ,then I will leave this one alone.
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SMILE
Yeah, all those computers terms are interesting to learn...now if you want to be really challenged, I'll give them to you in German or Japanese...AAAAAAGH!
Gotta go now--bedtime and big day tomorrow..
Oh, the pool party went great...12 giggly eight to nine year-old girls...it'll take me another week to recover... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Nite all--will try to catch you in the morning sometime.
They have to have photographic memories from what I've seen here this evening. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Night bistro,
Thank you https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
He goes to bed and we have to study. I tell you Queen of Hearts, there isn't any justice.
Just aint fair, greengoose https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Thanks Train and Mosaic https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Hey Grunt - Train
I'm a retired FlyBoy - 1988, glad there is a couple of us youngens around here.
Keep the 800MB drive, makes a good backup and/or practice one. I have a 133mhz just finished and getting ready to sell, has a 1.2GB and a 850MB drive - that 850 runs good.
Don't forget the picture album so we can all watch....
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Murf
My Win95 Help Page
Murphy's Law- It will go wrong, but we can fix it!!
But if it ain't broke - "Break It" - So we can help fix it!
Will start new section of Operation Delta tonight. All pages except the one we're on now have been copied and have started editing.
JT Murphy - AF12491222, Suh!! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Well! The military appears to be well represented here!. I'm a Vietnam Vet (Army), but believe it or not, still on active duty (looonnnng break in service--12 years). Got "tired" the first hitch,and now I'm almost "re-tired". Senior NCO now...(so drop and give me 20....) https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Military Brat. USAF https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
LAFB 3708BMTS
Finally ! Some acronyms I recognize ! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
A TI .....can you imagine my childhood ? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
[This message has been edited by Queen_of_Hearts (edited 12-06-2000).]
Yeah...I can...my Dad was Army. Moved everywhere---our family motto was "There's no place called home".
(Dad wasn't a drill sgt, but he took lessons somewhere... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-06-2000).]
Bistro, I can give you the 20, but the mid part wants to stay on the floor.
A test question for Train. Where would you have used matched 6v6's?
Back to business. Bistro, the explanation on the relationships of processor, RAM, hardrive was excellent. Let's see if I have it right. The processor is sitting along with RAM that has "stuff" running in it and down comes a command to do something and RAM provides the processor with the info required and if any more info is required, it is provided by the hard drive memory. If this is right, then everything else just enhances this effort. Things like the power supply etc. support the effort. I'm being pickey here because from what has been presented this is the heart of a computer. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Probably learned it from mine. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
He was two different people. I felt and saw the change in his attitude and the expression on his face when he was walking into the barracks. Amazing. They feared him !....he loved it.
Gotta make some money. See ya after while. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Hey ! Wher'd my post go !
greengoose: Pretty much. Basically, the RAM (Random Access Memory)is extra memory power for the processor to work. Providing extra "brain cells". Takes a load off the processor. (You HAVE to have RAM or the system won't work). Helps process info as long as the computer is powered up--as soon as it's turned off--all RAM "memory" is dumped--doesn't hold any recollections of what when on before turned off. Click on an icon, then the processor, RAM and hard drive all work together carrying on a three-way conversation to process the request.
The whole system of course works in tandem; you've got billions of 1's and 0's all having to shake hands and be friends and carpool merrily down an electronic highway that looks like a Picasso painting of a bowl of spaghetti. We do what we can to make sure all the hardware/software components "match" and everything's compatible, then offer a burnt sacrifice to the computer gods (usually an old fried motherboard), power up and grit our teeth... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Some (maybe all) of this may be "duh!" to ya'll--sorry if it is. Trying to keep it as simple as possible for everyone's benefit; including any new readers.
What a concept. That I understand. Thanks https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
I get it !
That's why you have to "save to the hard drive" ! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Reboot and/or turn off accomplish the same thing ?
You want the hard drive to be big so it has plenty of room to "save" everything you want, and the more RAM you have gives programs lots of room to work.
That's it! Cigars and cognac for everybody! The hard drive is "permanent" memory--saves everything--RAM is not. Rebooting/power down:
whatever you saved to the hard drive is preserved, RAM dumps its memory.
That's why folks here have been recommending, for example, a 32 mb video card. Has more "in house" memory and a powerful chipset on it. That helps take a load off the processor and RAM--the system processes faster; hence, better performance video-wise. The CPU chip(processor)is happier, the RAM is happier, the hard drive doesn't really care, your monitor rejoices, etc. etc.
**EDIT: While on this subject...that's what your "swap file" is all about. It's a section of your hard drive that Windows sets aside to act like RAM. Windows uses it when the actual RAM gets too busy---the less RAM on your system, the more Windows has to access the swap file. (Look into your root directory (C\)--you'll see it...named Win386.swp). In general, if you have 128mb or more of actual RAM, then Windows rarely will have to access it---less accessing=faster processing (Windows won't have to access the swap and process other data at the same time).
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-06-2000).]
Bistro, Is that why the processing slows down and you can hear the HD for a while after you entered a command - the RAM is at max operating and needs help from "swap".
Did Windows take that section when it was installed, as part of the MB it used up ? I mean, is it always unusable for anything else, "reserved" ? Or does it go looking when it needs it and hopefully there will be some for it to find. I have very little unused, like only 190MB left https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ So lately it doesn't take much to slow it down. Can it not find any space to swap ? Is it because it takes it, then I have even less than before. I'm sure it's using it all the time with only 24MB of RAM
I know .... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ extreme bare minimum
Poor thing
[This message has been edited by Queen_of_Hearts (edited 12-06-2000).]
greengoose: That could be it, or your hd is fragmented and has to work harder to find all the files it needs to execute the command.
Q_O_H: Yes, Windows created that file when you installed it. Unless you went in there and set the parameters, Windows is managing it. Your swap file is dynamic--changes sizes according to what Windows needs at the moment--whatever free space is available- (sometimes your swap file becomes "fragmented"--spread all over the hard drive wherever there's free space--will slow it down a bit). With 24mb of RAM, and as memory hungry as Win98 is, your hard drive will most definitely slow down. Unless you have at least 64 mb RAM, it's best to just let Windows manage it. With more RAM, you can start playing around and set the size parameters so the swap doesn't get used as often and fragment.
Queen of Hearts - We may have a potential problem. How in the world will we be able to buy any components if those "salesmen" that have been mentioned more than once do not understand what we are asking for? Kinda scary. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Have you found much in the way of computer stores yet that would fill our requirements?
When I first started with VirDr. with my CD-ROM problem, somewhere in a thread the subject of cooling came up. It was either Mach, Forest, or Train that had the answer and I can't find it for some reason. Do you remember it? I was contemplating cooling requirements for our PCs.
greengoose,
If it was a cooling problem it was probably mach. You could search his post for the last month in one window and yours in another and match um up. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
No not really pricing just yet. Need to make decisions first.
bistro,
Knowing from those threads I peeked in on having to do with swap, I had too little RAM to consider it so I ignored that information. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ I do remember something about double the RAM and add something to get how much you would need. Out of curiosity, I even found the place where you tell it to let me manage it. I didn't mess with it.
Another thing is the FAT 32 stuff. I saw that in Windows set up, wondered what it was, and installed it from the Win 98 CD, but when I clicked on the icon in system tools, it said "you will not be able to revert back bla bla ...." so I closed it quickly, and removed it again.
Scardy cat.
The "doubling RAM" item you saw was a somewhat controversial formula for setting your own parameters on the swap file--you were right to ignore it--like I mentioned before, that's really not going to help anyone unless they have 64mb or more. You really need to do the Fat 32 conversion. Without muddying the waters here with a long explanation of hard drive clusters, simply put--you'll conserve more hard drive space and it''ll be more efficient. Don't be afraid...walk into the light...the light is good... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/. You should have that FAT 32 Converter there under System Tools. Do it, then reboot. *Oh gawd, I hope she can get back online afterwards...* (just kidding...) That "will not be able to revert.." message means this: once done you will not be able to revert the HD back to FAT 16. That's OK--I know you're going from 16 to 32, but the hd is actually going to "lose weight" and become trimmer and better. Walk into the light....
EDIT: HEY, DON'T PANIC DURING THE REBOOT AND ALL THE SHENANIGANS GOING ON---THEY ARE NORMAL--JUST LET IT GO AND DON'T TRY TO STOP THE PROCESS.
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-06-2000).]
First, I need your address so I can come there and strangle you if I screw this up. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Here I go .............. https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
jtmurphy
I'm a retired FlyBoy [don't you mean wingnut, you have got to be nuts to walk under a aircraft wing at 40 below for 8 hours.] 12 years SF.
bistro
AD ok that explains a lot for meeee. Was a Black hat in Panama at Ft Sherman. You forgot one for AIRBORNE give me another 10. 7 SFG Airborne retired S3 194 Armored Brigade
Queen_of_Hearts
LAFB has probably changed since I was there in 62 [cross service school]
greengoose1
6v6's finals in my Yasua(sp)To lasy https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ to double check and verify !
Ref swap file As I do a lot a lot of heavy graphics work at times I will list some testing and results for my computer. I used the same program and picture each time.
Let windows set--- It took 28 minutes
Set min 200 M --- It took 16 minutes
Set min 500 M --- It took 6 minutes
Added powerfulPC -- 1 1/2 minutes
So if cache is bumping it out bigger and bigger it takes longer but with a set area it sure is faster. And does not seem to thrash as much(read quieter} Also I just leave it at 500 as it helps in speeding things up when it needs it. As I stated this is my Minimum set. I let windows set max.
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SMILE
Oh, gee...I just remembered...got a dental appointment in 10 minutes...then I have to catch a flight out of country...will post back oohhhhhh..next year sometime https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
bistro
Now we know you are telling the TRUTH https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
day 341 of 366.
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SMILE
Bistro you worm ! https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
You'd better not be gone !
Well.... I tried to do it but it said "there is no drive to convert". So either I am totally out of room https://discussions.virtualdr.com/ or it's been done already.
I did not do it.[
Would Windows have taken it upon itself to do that ? https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Queen_of_Hearts
I do not remember your harddisk size but if you were to set your minimum to 200 I will bet your machine speeds up. That will dedicate a given portion of your harddrive just for the swap file and will not be looking all over the harddisk for someplace to put things or to find them. That is where the old formula 2 1/2 X your ram comes from.
So, try 100, bet you love it. Dollars to doughnuts and I will take a BAKER"S DOZEN. Confident ain't I https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
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SMILE
Did you or someone else install Windows using a Win 98 startup disk? If so, then you/he/she probably chose the FAT 32 format at that time. That's good. You didn't have to convert---already done. Now there...don't you feel better?
Another pencil comes flying through the air straight for my forehead...
I'll be right back...gotta cancel that flight to Nepal.... https://discussions.virtualdr.com/
Train: My first hitch, they told me I didn't qualify for Airborne, but they did everything they could to get me into EOD...yeah, right...
[This message has been edited by bistro (edited 12-06-2000).]