Re: Memory Upgrade for Ancient Enspiron 2600
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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