![]() So run a fast browser and block ads, because that's what slows down web surfing. What can't these older computers do? Their concurrency is less than state-of-the-art machines. You can web surf, email, edit documents, do spreadsheets, watch YouTube videos, bid on eBay auctions, post on social media, listen to podcasts, view photo collections, manage home finance and personal scheduling, play games, and more. With a 2 gig dual-core computer, most people can do whatever they want, so long as they run a lightweight distro and browser. I popped the memory stick back in and, with 2GB RAM, the desktop instantly reverted to its usable self. Web surfing and other tasks became frustrating, even painful. That's critical for good performance.įor example, I removed 1GB RAM from the decade-old rebuild I'm writing this article on, which dropped memory down to 1GB. So if you can bump memory to 2GB, your system won't be forced to swap, or substitute disk for memory. End users on my refurbished machines typically use between 0.5 and 2GB of RAM (exclusive of data buffering) rarely do they go over 2 gig. One caution: be sure your computer has at least 2GB of memory. You can often pick up these machines for a song, yet they're still powerful enough to run lightweight Linux software. ![]() Most have a CPU Mark of between 1,000 and 4,000. We're talking dual-core machines dating from about 2006 to 2013, especially Intel Core 2 CPUs and AMD Athlon 64 X2 family processors. (Windows binds itself to the computer it's installed on via its Registry.) What can your refurbished computer do? You can copy, move, or clone the OS and applications across partitions, disks, devices, or computers. Other Linux advantages: Its thousands of apps are free and open source, so you don't have to worry about activation and licensing. (With Windows and MacOS, the OS version you run dictates the DE.) This is important because DEs heavily impact low-end system performance. Plus, its design decouples DEs from the OS, so you can mix and match the two. Linux's big benefit is that it offers many distros specifically designed for older hardware. Now is the perfect time to migrate off Windows 7. How about Windows 7? Extended support ends January 14, 2020, meaning you get security fixes only until that date. You're much better off with a more virus-resistant, up-to-date operating system. Don't be tempted to run an unsupported version of Windows like 8, Vista, or XP just because it's already on the computer! The risk of malware is too great. Your software choices are divided into four critical areas:Ī good Linux distribution covers all four. Now that you know your hardware's power, you're ready to select software that it can efficiently run. That website gives you background on your CPU plus a CPU Mark that indicates its performance. Then, look up your processor at CPU Benchmark. Write down your findings so that you don't forget them. You can identify your computer's resources in its boot-time UEFI/BIOS panels. The three essential hardware resources are: The key to refurbishing is to install software appropriate for the hardware resources you have. If you find problems, my Quick guide to fixing hardware will help you solve the most common hardware issues. That's the only way to catch transient (sporadic) errors. You don't have to install anything to run these kits because they'll boot from a USB thumb drive or DVD drive.īe thorough! Run the extended tests for memory and disk-not just the short tests. They contain hundreds of testing programs all are free, but not all are open source. This list tells you which program function (PF) key to press to access those panels for your computer.įree resource kits like Hirens BootCD or Ultimate Boot CD enable you to test what your boot panels don't. Run any diagnostic tests in the computer's boot panels (the UEFI or BIOS panels). Peripherals (DVD drive, USB ports, sound, etc.).Then close the clean computer and verify that all the hardware works. Even a static shock so small you won't feel it can destroy circuitry. And don't rub anything with a cleaning cloth. Be careful that you're grounded whenever you touch the machine. Free online course: RHEL Technical Overviewĭust kills electronics, so open up the box and clean out the dirt.
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