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Net XPress: A little spring cleaning will resurrect this Compaq Presario

April 09, 2007|SHEILA J. CLARK

A reader recently contacted me wanting advice about their nearly 3-year-old Compaq Presario model SR1103WM. Lately their computer has become extremely slow in performance. They wondered if I would recommend they purchase a brand new computer because of it. The reader uses the computer for e-mail, Web surfing, desktop publishing and for storage of photos and items from Web sites.

After checking out the specs on their system on HP's Web site here, my recommendation was to upgrade their current system. Their particular computer model comes standard with Windows XP Home, a Celeron 2.53GHZ processor, 256MB RAM, a 40GB 5400 rpm hard drive, a CD burner, a 56K modem and a 9-in-1 card reader.

The system offers plenty of ways to increase performance at a minimal cost. With a little spring cleaning, an increase of RAM and a hard drive upgrade, this system could really roar.

To start, I suggested they burn some of their photos to a CD. Next, run antivirus and spyware scans and then uninstall any unused toolbars and programs. Also, limit the amount of programs that run at startup.

By adding at least 256MB more of PC2700 memory or maxing out the system to the 1GB limit would definitely increase performance. A larger, faster hard drive to store more stuff also could be added. Look for hard drives featuring 7200RPM.

Net buzzz

Apple has unveiled its new music offerings featuring high-quality songs free of Digital Rights Management (DRM) restrictions. The new songs - which come from the EMI Music catalog - cost $1.29 and they are available in iTunes' AAC format. iTunes users have a choice to purchase the songs for 99 cents with DRM or pay extra for songs without DRM. Read more here.

Skype, a popular communications service, now allows its users the convenience of sending PayPal payments via their Skype client. Read more here.

Gamers' update

In honor of the PlayStation Portable's (PSP) second anniversary, Sony has announced a price drop for the popular gaming system to $169.99. Read more here.

Anyone familiar with the PSP knows the unit's capabilities exceed far beyond what Sony originally had designed it for. The PSP has built-in wireless features and a Web browser that helps its user surf the Net and game on the go. And it also has the homebrew crowd with its software creations that have turned the PSP into the ultimate portable Swiss-Army knife tool.

Free online courses

CNET's Online Courses will offer a "Manage Your Outlook E-mail" class Monday. The free course will teach you how to organize your e-mail in Outlook, how to archive and back up your e-mail, and how to move your e-mail to another computer. It will teach you how the program stores your information and how to compact your data files. Learn more or sign up here.

CNET's Online courses will offer a "Send E-Mail From Your Smart Phone" class beginning Monday. This free course will teach you about your smartphone's e-mail capabilities. You will learn how to choose a smartphone based on its features, how to configure your phone to send and receive e-mail, and how to manage your e-mail and attachments. You also will learn how to filter spam and send and receive instant messages. Learn more or sign up here.

E-mail me at sheila@amnews.com; fax me at (859) 236-9566; or write me snail-mail at The Advocate-Messenger, P.O. Box 149, Danville, KY 40423-0149.

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