This information is provided for guidance only and refers to the Compaq Evo d300v computers distributed to the North Argyll Islands Digital Community. It may also apply to other systems distributed as part of the Open Scotland project.
Legalities
The first and most obvious question is "can we"? Yes we can! To quote the Argyllcom sites' FAQs: "Can I add additional components to the PC such as a CD-Writer or scanner?
Yes you can add any components as long as they are stamped with the CE logo. Non CE marked components will invalidate the warranty."
A few points in addition to this rather simplistic, though reassuring, answer. Just like Ford don't guarantee the roof rack you add to your car the Scottish Executive doesn't guarantee the CD-RW you install in the computer. It's guaranteed by whoever sold it to you and the installation is covered by the installer.
What are the main options?
Memory:
Did you know that Microsoft designed XP (the proram that runs our computers) to start in around 30 seconds? The reason they don't is that they don't have enough "Random Access Memory" (RAM) to do all the work asked of them. The RAM is deals with the programs that are running at any given moment, not having enough is like trying to do paperwork on a desk too small for all the paper.
RAM comes in thin strips that pluggin into the computers motherboard (the main circuit board inside the tower). The computers come with 128mb occupying one of two slots each of which can take a maximum of 256mb, so you can add another 256mb you will treble the amount of RAM and the computer will start in around the time that Microsoft intended.
The spare slot is partly obscured by cables but the new strip is easy to install if you have good dexterity, if you don't it might be a good idea to ask someone to do it for you.
If you choose to install it yourself I recommend that you buy it via the banner link at the top of the forum (click here) because it will ensure you get exactly the right type of memory and comes from one of the most reliable manufacturers. You will go through a process choosing your model of computer via a series of drop down menu's. You should choose the Compaq, Evo and finally the D300v 1.2 (or 1.1) Celeron from the menus. You can check that this is your model by clicking on "Start" and the RIGHT clicking on "My Computer", the information is on the General Tab. If you have a 1.3 Celeron model select 1.2 from the menu.
The transaction is online and secure, they take Switch as well as credit cards and the price includes VAT and delivery. The price has varied between £24 and £56 over the last couple of years, at the time of writing it is stable at around £38. You can see the current price by placing the cursor over the banner ad and check the trend by clicking here.
Installing memory is fairly straight forward if you have good hands and eyesight. The slot it fits in is obscured by cabling that needs pushing out of the way and I would advise anyone who is uncertain about doing it themselves to get someone else to fit it.
If you can't see the banner ad at the top of the forum it's because Norton Internet Security is preventing the display of adverts, to stop it stopping you click here.
Graphics Cards
Graphics cards improve the performance of a computer in a number of ways, not just in the way they handle games. Our computers are either fitted with "on-board" graphics or a small half-card designed for office applications. If you want to play games on the computer or intend to do a lot of graphical work then a graphics card is a must. They will do a great deal of the processing required for the computer to carry out the work and free up resources for other things. Perhaps the best thing about them is that you will be able to increase the refresh rate which dramatically reduces the amount of flicker from the screen and reduces eye strain.
They're called cards because that's what they look like, they're about the size of a postcard with some stuff stuck to the picture. The card plugs into a long white slot on the motherboard and again they're easy to install.
There's not much point in installing a top of the range card as the computer isn't good enough to use one properly. Also top of the range is a title that only lasts until the next card comes out and then they rapidly drop in price.
After a lot of debate the consensus on the forum is that the best value for money is a card based on the nVidea FX5200 chip (the chip is central processor of the card and cards with the same chip perform more or less the same).
Like all nVidea cards you just have to unplug the old card, pluggin in the new, attach the monitor cable to it and restart the computer, there's no new software needed for them to work. There is updated available that will improve their performance though but that can be installed at your leisure.
Don't buy a Radeon based card, they don't work with NAIDC computers.
Unless you are experienced I recommend that you buy from a recognised name and get the full retail version, rather than the cheaper OEM (original equipment manufacturer) because it will come with all the manuals and instructions you need, sometimes you even get a game thrown in.
To find the best prices try the PriceRunner ad at the top of the forum (click here). Click on the Computing link, then Graphics Card and search for FX5200, you will be presented with direct links to the card, reviews and a long list of alternatives which is easy to sort through. FX5200 are around £40 at the time of writing, a cheaper alternative is the MX 440 at about £25.
There's a great chart here that ranks cards by value for money if you fancy looking at other models.
Extra USB connections
As we buy external devices such as cameras, scanners and joysticks we soon get fed up with replugging things into the back of the computer. The answer is to add extra sockets and there is two ways of doing this.
The first and simplest is to buy a "hub", which is like having an extension lead and extra sockets for an electrical socket. It will give you an extra three sockets and will mean you don't have to reach around the back of the computer.
There are two types, the powered and the unpowered. The powered are more expensive and are only needed if you are useing them too run a lot of devices that don't have their own mains plug or battery at the same time. For most people an unpowered one is all thats needed.
The other way to add sockets is to buy a USB2 card. This plugs into the motherboard like the graphics card above and is slightly more expensive than the unpowered hub. The big advantage is that they transfer data a lot quicker between the computer and a device, which makes scanners and cameras more efficient. They provide four extra sockets.
They can be bought locally, from any number of Internet stores (see price runner link above) and ebay. Unpowered hubs can be bought for as little as £6.75, while cards go for £10 and up. For a guide to buying on ebay click here.
Storage or back up
One of the great fears computer owners have is that they loose all the work and emails if something goes really wrong and the only way to stop this is to store it externally.
Our computers come with a floppy drive, called "drive A", its the narrow slot to the left of the blue button on the tower. It takes floppy discs which are cost about £6 for ten, can be bought in lots of places but can only hold the equivalent of one large picture which isn't enough to back up a large number of files.
There are a large number of choices of back up devices available and a huge range of prices.
The most popular is a CD rewriter (CD-RW) which slots into the front of the computer below the CD drive and plugs into the CD drive and motherboard inside. It writes to CD discs which can hold up to 640mb of data and everything important can be saved to just a few discs.
You can buy a good one for around £40 and again they're fairly simple to install. Make sure you buy a cable at the same time because the one inside the computer doesn't have enough connections on it. You can also get ones that can play DVDs for about the same price which are called CD-RW/DVD combo drives.
DVD rewriters (DVD-RW) also write to CD but as the name suggest can write DVDs too. DVDS can store gigabytes of data (how many depends on the type), many times a CD-RW. They can now be bought for for under £50 now but in my opinion you'd get a basic model at this price rather than an excellent CD-RW for the same amount.
External drives come in a variety of types, from the tiny pen drive, which can store anything from 32mb (cheap) to a gigabyte (expensive), to an external hardrive. There are external DVD and CD rewriters, zip drives and more. To many to review here in fact. They all have the advantage of just plugging into an USB port and can be moved anywhere but prices start at £100 for anything worth having except small pen drives which cost about £20.
Upgrading the CPU
The cpu or central processing unit is what determines the maximum speed of the computer and the Celeron 1.2 is very slow by modern standards. Unfortunately the socket it plugs into doesn't offer much in the way of upgrade and the best you can achieve is a 25% boost by installing a Pentium III 1.4.
This can be difficult and should only be attempted by very experienced people. A Pentium III 1.4 will cost about £140 retail or £80 on ebay. I was lucky enough to get a 1.2 for £34 on ebay which improved things by 17% and you can read all about it here.
Upgrading the monitor
The 15" monitor is fine for most people, I used one for years without it bothering me but a big monitor is a lot nicer to use. You can view two documents or webpages side by side and if you get one with a flat screen (most are these days) you'll notice a real difference.
You can buy retail 17" or 19" CRTs similar to the one you've got for £60 upwards, 21" for start around £240 (you can pick up refurbished 21" for around £100 on ebay). Larger monitors take up a bit more room but not that much.
TFT or flat monitors cost a lot more, starting at around £200 for a 17" model.
Once again try the price runner link for prices, guides and links.
One last point
Apart from the memory and chip upgrades everything else can be transferred to any new computer you buy. For instance if you buy yourself a monitor you'll find that buying just a new computer tower is a lot cheaper than buying a whole package.
And if you do nothing else - upgrade the memory!
Please post questions on the Buyers Club by clicking here.
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