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Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600

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On 01/17/17 19:00, Martin McCormick wrote:
> I have an old Dell Enspiron 2600 which still works but it only
> has 256 MB of RAM. I am of the understanding that the 128-MB
> memory card under the little door on the bottom can be replaced
> with a 512 MB card and that pretty much does it. There is another
> 128 MB block under the keyboard but I think for what I was
> planning to do with it, 640 MB is sufficient.
>
> 	It actually has a 2009 version of vinux which is a port
> of debian optamized for people who are blind so it talks and
> works  with text applications but there is no memory left for
> much of anything else.
>
> 	Just for fun, I ran the free application after bootup and
> out of 256 MB, there are 193 MB available as long as you don't
> dare run anything.
>
> 	Just for fun, I booted a newer version of linux which did
> come up but after booting the live CD, there was a whapping 4.5
> MB left.
>
> 	My wife used this machine in college running Windows in
> 2000 with just that 256 MB but this is a different world today so
> my question is what should one expect to pay for a 512-meg DIM
> card that, of course, would work in this system?
>
> 	The speed printed on the module is 133 MHZ and the
> processor is near 1 GHZ so it is certainly not cutting edge by
> todays standards but it would have more uses with more RAM. It
> would almost be a raspberry pi.:-)

When discussing Dell, it helps if you enter your Service Tag into the 
Dell Support site and post the components URL.  For example, here is my 
Inspiron E1505:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/product-support/servicetag/C86YXB1/configuration


Here is the Dell support page for your Inspiron 2600:

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/inspiron-2600/manuals


The Specifications chapter of the Owner's Manual indicates:

Microprocessor (Inspiron 2600) Mobile Intel Pentium III processor-M or
                               Mobile Intel Celeron® processor

System chip set (Inspiron 2600) Intel 830MG

Memory

Architecture (Inspiron 2600) PC133 SDRAM
Memory module connector one user-accessible SODIMM sockets
Memory module capacities 128 and 256 MB
Memory type 3.3-V SODIMM
Standard memory 128 MB
Maximum memory 512 MB


The Service Manual indicates:

Memory Module

HINT: This procedure covers removing and replacing the memory module 
located under the memory module/modem cover on the bottom of the 
computer. A second memory module resides on the upper surface of the 
system board under the EMI shield. To replace the memory module under 
the EMI shield, perform the procedure for removing the EMI shield. Then 
replace the memory module.


Therefore, if you want to max out the memory, Dells says you can install 
two 256 MB PC133 SO-DIMM modules.


I've never seen Dell provide information for CPU upgrades.


Parts People has useful information and various parts for Dell computers:

https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=category&id=141&subid=50&refine=cpu+processor


You could upgrade to a 1.2 GHz P3 CPU and 512 MB RAM for under $50. 
This only makes sense if the computer has an Ethernet port.  For desktop 
use, you will be looking for lightweight desktops and/or distributions 
(Damn Small Linux).  With a USB drive, it would make for a slow file/ 
backup server (even slower with encryption).  With a PC card or USB NIC, 
it would make for a basic firewall/router (no VPN).


Upgrading old computers is a double-edged sword.  If you stay within 
specs, you will spend time and money to end up with something of limited 
use.  If you do the research, get lucky, and can get over-spec parts 
working, you will spend more time and money, to end up with something of 
less limited use.  Only you can do the cost-benefit analysis and make a 
decision for your case.


I watch CL and eBay, and see some amazing deals now and then.


David

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Thread

Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-18 04:10 +0100
  Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-18 04:30 +0100
  Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Felix Miata <mrmazda@earthlink.net> - 2017-01-18 04:40 +0100
    Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-18 06:40 +0100
      Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Ric Moore <wayward4now@gmail.com> - 2017-01-18 15:30 +0100
    Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-18 17:30 +0100
      Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Jimmy Johnson <field.engineer@gmail.com> - 2017-01-18 23:00 +0100
        Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-19 06:10 +0100
          Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-19 07:10 +0100
            Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2017-01-19 09:00 +0100
              Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-19 15:40 +0100
            Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Lisi Reisz <lisi.reisz@gmail.com> - 2017-01-19 11:40 +0100
          Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Jimmy Johnson <field.engineer@gmail.com> - 2017-01-19 18:00 +0100
            Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-19 18:40 +0100
              Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-19 19:50 +0100
              Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 "Martin McCormick" <martin.m@suddenlink.net> - 2017-01-20 22:30 +0100
  Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2017-01-18 21:10 +0100
    Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-18 22:10 +0100
      Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 (clarification) Doug <dmcgarrett@optonline.net> - 2017-01-18 22:30 +0100
        Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 (clarification) David Christensen <dpchrist@holgerdanske.com> - 2017-01-18 23:00 +0100
          Re: Congratulations BILL , Your Roof is Covered - FREE!bFPM John Miller <xeno757@gmail.com> - 2017-01-19 15:50 +0100
      Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 rhkramer@gmail.com - 2017-01-18 22:40 +0100
        Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 cbannister@slingshot.co.nz - 2017-03-20 18:30 +0100
          Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 Curt <curty@free.fr> - 2017-03-20 19:00 +0100
            Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 rhkramer@gmail.com - 2017-03-21 00:40 +0100
          Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600 rhkramer@gmail.com - 2017-03-21 00:40 +0100

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