Not technically true. 32bit linux has been used in servers with many terabytes of RAM for years now. It uses funky workarounds to do it (PAE, etc.) introduced in the 2.6 kernel and requires PAE support on the CPU. Wiki.
I downloaded Ubuntu yesterday and made myself a boot disk. It lets you run it from the CD to check it out. I like it!
There's a fair few LiveCD distros out there. Knoppix is another of the big players, for example. edit: Also, the other cool thing about Ubuntu is that you can use Wubi to install it on a windows partition as just another program, where you can then uninstall it from add/remove programs, for example. Yet, even in that configuration, it still works exactly like the main Ubuntu install does. It allows you to try it easily without messing around with Windows, basically.
Yeah I advise anyone who mentions they want to try it out to install it via Wubi. That way they can't complain when it "breaks their computer" (actually had someone claim this once)
Ubuntu broke my computer!! What kind of resources would it use up doing it that way? Only my current computer I've only got 512MB RAM.
Don't laugh... I've heard it! haha Best one I've had is this "I had Vista.... and then installed Linux. Why can't I use Vista anymore?" "So your dual boot isn't working correctly?" "Dual what?"
It boots into its own operating system so it should use basically no more resources than a native install. That said, 512MB of RAM is a bitch for anything nowadays and you really should look at getting 1GB if you aren't maschocistic.
A gig of ram costs like less than a night at a restuarant or a pitcher or two at the club...depending on the ram of course. 10 bucks USD a gig...free ship.
Yeah I think I might invest in some. I've not done so because I just want to get a whole new computer, but I think it's worth getting in the meantime to save frustration. Edit: just on that, is there any particular RAM that you'd recommend? I wouldn't know what's good.
If it's rated for that speed, it'll work at that speed. The difference between name brands and others is pretty much solely how far you can push it -past- that rated speed when overclocking. You don't want to do this, so you're pretty set with generic RAM. It used to be more of a problem back in the good old days of SDRAM when CAS/etc timings were high on impacting performance, but DDR/DDR2 RAM sacrificed these timings (though some push it fine still) in trade for just faster overall clock speeds. Really, I doubt you'll notice a difference between generic and name-brand.
Ah I see, that's interesting. Thanks for that info. I'll seek out some generic stuff. Just looking at an ad as an example, there's some 4GB RAM with '5300/6400 Twin' as the options, which are the same price as each other. What do they mean exactly?
Firstly, list your other computer specs, so I can take a wild stab in the dark at the type of RAM you have. Better yet, go download CPU-Z (top-left corner for link) and tell us/screenshot what it says under the Memory tab (specifically, what type it is). Also, tell us, on the CPU tab, what the specification says. Or, preferrably, screenshot both tabs and post them here.
Sweet, I'd been looking for a program like that. Here are the screenshots. I'm also planning on using the new RAM in a new computer I'm hoping to build.
You won't use that type of RAM in a new computer. That's DDR 1 RAM, PC3200 specifically. Nowadays DDR2 is used (indeed, DDR3 is out but it's top-end only and not really used widely yet). At this point, given the age of that PC, I'd just look at saving the money and throwing it at at your new PC. It's not worth the 50$ for 1GB of DDR1 RAM considering it's cheaper to buy more DDR2 RAM, given it's far more widely manufactured. DDR1 is essentially not used any more.
Yeah I'm planning on a new pc and offloading this one to my mum. Would DDR2 work in my current system i.e. could I insert it for now, then move it to my new system later? I'm not planning on using the current RAM in my new machine. Apologies for all the daft questions!
No. DDR2 and DDR1 are incompatible as a form factor. DDR3 is also incompatible yet again. You need to stick within a 'generation' if that makes sense.
I'd pull the DDR1 out and just use the DDR2, then put the DDR1 back in when it was time to give the box to my mum. Would that work?
Nah, what they're saying is DDR1 is the ONLY thing that will fit in your computer (so you can't swap it with DDR2 or DDR3), and DDR1 won't fit in machines that take DDR2 or DDR3 - every board that takes those specific types of RAM can ONLY take that type of RAM.
