I am trying to restore a Dell computer for a friend and I need some information that I cannot find in your online tech support section.

The computer:

A Dell DIMENSION 8200,

CPU: Pentium 4 @ 1.8GHz (1.79) and according to the online specs the other CPU options include 1.50, 1.60, 1.80, 1.90, 2.00, 2.20, or 2.40 GHz (w/FSB = 400 MHz); or

2.26, 2.40, 2.53, 2.66, or 2.80 GHz (w/FSB = 533 MHz)

RAM: 256Meg

Your online specs give RDRAM options of PC800 or PC1066 RAMBUS, Non-ECC, 40ns, 184 pin

Memory capacities 64-, 128-, 256-, and 512-MB non-ECC RDRAM

Maximum memory 2 GB with MS Windows® 2000 and XP;

System clock 400- or 533- MHz data rate.

The problem:

Computer is slow and to the point of being a real pain in the neck.

Original proposed solution:

a. increase memory from 256 meg to 1000 meg (1G), and upgrade(?) fm Xp to Vista.

b. Install a faster processor.

Considerations: Although your online specs seem to suggest I can go up to a 2.8 G CPU, the FSB would go from 400MHz to 533MHz.

Can the installed Motherboard handle the higher FSB clock frequency?

I have checked the SYSTEM Settings (CMOS) and found the FSB is set to 100 MHz and I cannot change it. Then checked the installed Memory; Somewhere along the line it has been changed from DELL original equipment to Samsung with a 45 ns spec.

The currently installed CPU is INTEL Pentium 4

1.8 / 256 / 400 / 1.75 (That looks OK)

SL5V3 (Cannot find this model anywhere on the Intel Pentium Data base)

I suspect some ham-handed Neanderthal has been meddling with this machine.

GIVEN all the above, My questions are:

1. Can the motherboard support a FSB clock of 533 mHz?

2. How does the computer know what the FSB frequency should be?

Does it check the CPU or the Memory or some other performance factor?

3. Did using 45ns Memory in place of 40 ns memory cause the FSB to go from 400 mHz to 100mHz.

RAMBUS Memory is expensive - Dell can save me a lot of experimenting money if you can either answer my questions or point to where I can find the answers.