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Upgrades for Dimension 4550
Hey everyone, I'm wanting to teach my little boy about fixing/ repairing computers. So I thought I'd start by showing him how to upgrade PCs, and replace parts.
So we have a Dimension 4550 with a P4 2.4GHz processor, currently have 1GB of DDR Ram, 80GB HD, Windows XP SP2, and a Radeon 9250 graphics card.
Now I understand the upgrades won't make it as nice as the newer PCs out there. But I'm hoping to use this opportunity to show him it's not that hard to replace parts, if you know how to do it. Now down the road I'm hoping to do a complete build with him. But just wanting to get familiar with the parts right now.
Now I do have some experience replacing parts, and working on PCs. But I thought I'd ask for advice and input, since its been a while since I've worked on this one.
I figure I'd upgrade to Windows 7, maybe upgrade the RAM (if possible), and add a secondary drive. Any other upgrades you can recommend will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mez70
So we have a Dimension 4550 with a P4 2.4GHz processor, currently have 1GB of DDR Ram, 80GB HD, Windows XP SP2, and a Radeon 9250 graphics card.
Now I understand the upgrades won't make it as nice as the newer PCs out there. But I'm hoping to use this opportunity to show him it's not that hard to replace parts, if you know how to do it. Now down the road I'm hoping to do a complete build with him. But just wanting to get familiar with the parts right now.
Now I do have some experience replacing parts, and working on PCs. But I thought I'd ask for advice and input, since its been a while since I've worked on this one.
I figure I'd upgrade to Windows 7, maybe upgrade the RAM (if possible), and add a secondary drive. Any other upgrades you can recommend will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Mez70
Vic384
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February 25th, 2018 06:00
I would not start with upgrading a computer especially an older one. You have a working computer, there is a lot you can teach your son about the computer before getting inside of it. You could teach him about the BIOS, the OS, installing and un-installing software and drivers, connections to the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, etc. Then you can look inside the computer and go through the service manual. These are all things you need to know before you start to upgrade.
ejn63
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February 25th, 2018 06:00
Start with something on the order of 5-7 years old and you might make a good learning experience.
This system is on the order of 16 years old -- it won't take enough RAM or a decent enough video card to make a good platform for running Windows 7.
Mez70
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February 25th, 2018 09:00
Any further input will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Vic384
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February 25th, 2018 09:00
It may help to Google search the message you got. Here is one result I found: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/cannot-access-the-windows-management/8849f190-cf4b-e011-8dfc-68b599b31bf5
Mez70
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February 25th, 2018 09:00
Mez70
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February 25th, 2018 18:00
I found some compatible RAM locally for a really good price too. I'll go ahead and buy a 1GB stick, just to show my son how it's done.
Mez70
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March 20th, 2018 08:00
Here is the link to the post about rolling back the BIOS...
https://www.dell.com/community/Desktops-General/Dimension-4500-4550-upgrade-options/m-p/4255435