Quirky Computer Question: I have an old Compaq Presario w/64 k ram and I

[KoKo]

want to use it listen to IE America Radio upstairs in my house. I can remove all my programs on it so that I free up ram, but the sound card is from 1996 (I don't even know what kind it is) but all I want to do is download Real Audio 7 but I don't know if I need a super graphics card just for Real Audio. The Presario was a top of the line Computer and has fantastic speakers and it's own build in sound system that doesn't need an outside program. It is running Windows 95 but I can't upgrade the memory because it used SIMMS instead of DIMMS and I don't think they make SIMMS anymore.

Anyway, I know this is a quirky question and I'm pretty clueless about computers so sorry if this sounds dumb but I hate to throw my Presario out because of the sound and speakers, and if I can use it to listen to Liberal Radio it would be worth it.

If anyone thinks it could work, with an old sound card for just Real Audio, please post. One big problem is that the modem only is a 28 k instead of the 56 I have on my other computer, and I have dial up. :-( Not sure the transfer rate would be high enough and the modem is built-in and I don't know how to change it. But if it's just sound and not graphics maybe?

Thanks.

[TrogL]

1. The problem isn't your audio card or your modem

It's your RAM and operating system. Audio is a pig.

Throw linux on it and you might have a chance. Even so, 28K is awfully slow for realtime audio.

Check out the pawn shops for a faster modem.

[DBoon]

3. Add more RAM

Have someone who really knows their stuff help you to buy and install more RAM. Memory is cheap and it is the second best thing you can do to improve performance. Even assuming they may not make SIMM anymore, I'm sure some could be found for very cheap on eBay.

Most important is get a new modem - somthing that can do 56k.

[DS1]

2. it should work fine

scrap the linux idea and scrape up 30 bucks for a faster modem.

[KoKo]

4. The modem is built in. What does it look like if I open up the box?

Is it something I can just buy at Best Buy and install myself? And would a higher power modem work in a computer with that low a ram? I pretty handy mechanically, but clueless about what's inside the box.

[DS1]

5. you probably won't be able to find a modem that fits off the shelf

chances are your computer takes the old ISA variant of expansion cards (modems) and not PCI which are big these days. USB is pretty much out of the question.

Why not just try it though, instead of worrying about problems that may not exist in the first place?

[KoKo]

6. Okay! Sounds like its worth trying to salvage it! Thanks! I needed the

encouragement. Don't have any techie computer friends who could help me with advice. Everyone has said "throw it out." Now I feel I might be able to work with it. Good News!

[notadmblnd]

7. You dont have tp put it inside the box.

Just purchase a cheap 56k external modem and follow instructions to install new hardware. At some point you should be prompted to make the 56k the default.

[KoKo]

17. It does have outleti n the back to add a device but connection might need

a converter. I will check it out. Not had much luck with the Best Buy type places finding helpful sales persons. But maybe if I go look around I can see if there are converters for what I need. Or, I'll try the 28, and see how it does, first.

[dwmcqueen]

8. 64 Megs of RAM? BeOS

If you have 64 Megs of RAM you might be fine if you used BeOS. Download the BeOS personal addition for Windows from http://www.bebits.com/app/2680#download use SoundPlay (http://www.bebits.com/app/156) and select the WinAmp stream to listen to. It should use less resources than Windows and maybe even work on the 28k dialup (though I would serious consider buying a 56k external modem).

[KoKo]

10. Thanks, I will Google BeOS. You think it gets IE America and BBC Radio?

and works with Win 95?

[DS1]

11. ok, scratch the BeOS idea

take your system upstairs and give the old codger a whack

[FlashHarry]

12. Uh, I thought he said he had 64K of RAM, not Megs!

Unless that's a typo, of course!

[KoKo]

15. I'm going to sound really dumb here but 64 was powerful six years ago.

I'm not talking about an old Commodore 64 in the dark ages but a Compaq Presario Pentium and I think it's megs? not K, but I'm really clueless here....as you can see. But I believe it's megs of ram? In my post I mistakenly put K.

Sorry....

[KoKo]

16. Typo. Sorry 64 Megs......N/T

[FlashHarry]

19. Whew!

Unless you're planning on playing 'Brick Out' or something, 64k won't get you too far...

[KoKo]

20. ROFL! No wonder someone said use it as a boat anchor!!

I couldn't understand that, until I realized I said k and not megs. :D

[SlavesandBulldozers]

9. i would say don't bother

do you have another computer in your house or is this the only one?

if you have another computer downstairs just figure out a way to wire some speakers upstairs or something.

If this Compaq's the only computer your house it sounds like you're going to drive yourself up the wall getting this to work. 56k is even slow for streaming media - i mean real goddamn slow. Get broadband. Maybe you could move to basic cable TV, and consolidate your cable package to include broadband cable. then cancel your 2nd phone line that you would be using in a 56k situation, and take the money you save there and buy a viable computer. 2nd phone lines are expensive, you could use that money for better functionality.

Trust me as a technician, you don't want to begin buying and adding hardware to that Compaq. If its as old as it sounds you are going to have a hell of a time adding a 56k modem to it, much less installing the drivers. It's going to be hell and ruin your weekend. Save yourself the headache and forget about it. A new computer is new life.

[ArkDem]

13. Sounds like a boat anchor

to me.

[KoKo]

14. SoundGarden,Have another computer. This is my old one, and it's a Pentium

so does that make a difference? I know at one time I could have gotten a 56 k modem for it, but I never did. I just want to use it for Internet Radio. Nothing else. But, didn't know if the 64 k would handle Real Audio. I use real audio and like it better than IE. And the Computer has wonderful speakers so I hated to get rid of it. I need Independent radio upstairs and wiring the speakers wouldn't work. Other than wires up the stairs, drilling through the walls is not an option! :-D But, since it's a Pentium wouldn't that make a difference in what I can do with it?

[SlavesandBulldozers]

18. i dont think

i dont think 64k is right. 64k is like an appleIIe level of ram. we're talking not even being able to handle pacman. regardless, no, i dont think you want to do this.