says it has 514k avaialble to windows.
(im on the verge of binning this and buying him a new one, am learning
a lot though so thanks!)

All you need is to open the case up and take out the memory to find out what you have. An easier fix is to use the crucial website - download a bit of software onto your machine. You need to be using Internet Explorer.

Crucial website
They will tell you what memory you have and what you need to upgrade.

512MB is far too little these days. Adding memory is easy if the PC itself is going to be fast enough afterwards. What is the speed of the CPU? It should say as one of the first couple of lines it displays just as it boots, try pressing the Pause/Break key to stop it scrolling. E.g. Pentium 2.3 GHz.

Dailos

Download Belarc Advisor. It will give you a web page showing all the details of your machine.

Its says RAM 512mb (how did you know!)
And 1.86 ghz

Dil

Its could be almost anything but it's worth checking that all the fans are working, then check the hard disk.

To do that:-

Boot from the setup CD
Select the option for the recovery console and log in as Administrator.
Type chkdsk /? followed by Enter at the C prompt - this will give you the options availible.
Run chkdsk with the recovery option that should fix any disk errors.

If the hard disk is larger than 120GB you must use an XP SP2 setup CD or later. Otherwise you will trash the disk.

That may sort it. If not boot from the detup CD, let setup detect your exixting instalation and offer to repair it.

Dailos

Are you running XP or Vista?

512MB should just about be OK for XP although 1GB+ would be better.

Vista needs at least 1GB better to use 2GB+

Opti..
Vista so how can i make it 2GB+ ?

Dalios

Goto Crucial. The have an onlne memory checker which will tell you what you need and how to fit it.

In my experience, they are close to the best deals and their service is first class.

I agree. Crucial are an excellent company. Competitive prices & excellent delivery time, but be aware that RAM is expensive, so brace yourself!

Cheers Optimist I'll pass that on.

Dailos ... it'll be out of date by the time you fix , bin it ... hope this helps :-)

Dailos: Vista is hopeless in 512Mb and sluggish in 1Gb -- it really needs 2Gb. The 1.86GHz CPU should be OK.

My current laptop is a 1.73Ghz IBM ThinkPad running XP. It was delivered with 512Mb which sort of ran OK, but I immediately added another 512Mb. I've now got 2Gb which is the maximum this particular machine can take.

I second the recommendations for Crucial. They are a first-class outfit.

Thanks everybody.
d,

Dil...bog off boyo! :-

:-)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7784908.stm

09:20 GMT, Tuesday, 16 December 2008

Serious security flaw found in IE

Users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer are being urged by experts to switch to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.

The flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control of people's computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.

Microsoft urged people to be vigilant while it investigated and prepared an emergency patch to resolve it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7787445.stm

Microsoft plans quick fix for IE

Microsoft is due to issue a patch to fix a security flaw believed to have affected as many as 10,000 websites.

The emergency patch should be available from 1800 GMT on 17 December, Microsoft has said.

I heard those reports on the BBC but could find nothing on the Microsoft site.

Has anyone seen any other references to this problem that are not attributable to the BBC?

Microsoft plans emergency Internet Explorer patch

Nearly 2 million PCs infected by bug
December 17, 2008

Microsoft is releasing an emergency security fix for Internet Explorer that will patch a bug that's plaguing the browser.

It's thought that nearly two million computers have been infected by the bug, which allows hackers to steal personal data including passwords if the browser is used to navigate a compromised website. It's been estimated that nearly 10,000 compromised websites currently exist on the web.

10,000 websites??? Sounds like a specific problem attributable to a tiny percentage of the global number of websites.

My OE 'Deleted Items' folder is full of links to them:

Even CEOs consult us (obtain a fully verifiable University Degree)
Nationwide Online Banking Security Upgrade
Msg me when ya get a second (pharmacy at unbelievable savings)
Perfect for men and women (miracle weight loss)
The ultimate in prestige and luxury (luxury designer brand timepieces from $49)
Name Brand remedy for cheap (Number 1 online pharmacy)
lowest price name brand remedy (Exclusive Internet pharmacy)

I have not given any of the links, which accompany them.