Hardware Changes . . .

[Travis]

Okay, here's my setup.  If there's anything I leave out, please ask me for it.

I can't seem to get a good rendering for FS9 on my non-net computer, so I figured I would try the net computer, cause I wanted to fly online anyway.  But the problem is, I don't think FS9 will run well on this system.  I haven't tested it yet, but from the looks of things, it's a little too puny a platform for it.

Dell Dimension DIM2400 Intel
Pentium 4 CPU 2.66GHz
2.66GHz
256 MB of RAM
M$ Windows XP Home Edition

I have no idea what graphics card I'm using, or how many MB of RAM it has, or even where to find that info.  This, as far as I know, is a straight-out-of-the-box desktop, so it shouldn't have anything fancy in it.  I really need a little advice; anything helps.

[Brett_Henderson]

It's probably using an onboard graphics adapter, which really aren't as bad as people say. Problem is that it'll be "stealing" some of that 256mb of ram.

You wouldn't want to dump a whole bunch of money into that machine.. but if you're gonna upgrade it.. GET RAM FIRST.

[NicksFXHouse]

Your post says 256mb of RAM... 512 is the rock-bottom, absolute minimum and will still not be enough, 768 is better but can still be doggy, 1gig is recommended... any more will only help. I personally run 2gig of memory.

Your video card is the next item that must be known for assistance. The card model and the amount of memory the card has (ie:, 64mb, 128,mb, 256mb, etc)

[Weather_Man]

Your specs show you running onboard Intel 3d Extreme Graphics, which leaches 32-64mb of your RAM to use for graphics. Your motherboard does not have an AGP slot, so you'd be limited to a PCI video card if you wanted to upgrade. That would help some, but I'm not sure how much.

Either way, more RAM would be your priority, IMO. That would do you a world of good for running XP and everything else. You have 2 DIMM slots for your RAM, so right now you have either 2 x 128mb or 1 x 256mb. Up to 512mb sticks are supported for each slot, with 1GB max total.  Adding a 512 stick would help a lot, or replace it all with 2 x 512 for maximum benefit.

All things considered, would it be better for you to upgrade your other rig instead? Or is it in worse shape than this one?

[Travis]

Well, for the moment, the other rig is being finicky (sp?) and not wanting to work right.  Spent two hours on the phone with Dell trying to get it to work to no avail.  So for the timebeing, I'm SOL.

As for the mem: I'm not sure if I want to buy more or not, seeing as ya'll are kinda recommending I get something better.

So it seems I am FS-less.

So much for gaming . . . .

[Travis]

Allright.  I finally broke down and bought a gig of RAM.  Only problem is, I can't install it!!!  Dern Dell computer has no easy access to the interior of the thing!  All the little bolts on the casing are rivets.  No heads, just little round plugs with a smooth metal finish.  So I'm guessing that if I do open it, I void the warranty.

Called Dell trying to figure that out, and they wouldn't get me a straight answer.  Gave me a run-around and told me that if I installed "non-Dell parts" I could mess up the system.  Okay, but do I void the warranty by doing it?

And how would one go about opening this type of casing?

[bbstackerf]

You're in luck, my man. I have this exact same case on my work computer and previously at home. As you have it in the pic, looking at the front, lay it over on it's right side, on the back there's an "L" looking handle towards the middle of the top. Slide it to to right , and the whole top (side) of the case slides off to the rear.


Hope that helps.


Keni

PS If you look at the pic you posted there's two 'dimples' on the side. Those are the grips to slide the case cover back.

[Travis]

Oh, okay.  Thanks!

[bbstackerf]

No prob. Not too many I can actually help with here.

Keni