Laptop RAM issues

[SamN]

I have an acer aspire 5750 laptop. Its probably around 8 years old. It was a good spec when I bought it, i5 processor, 8gb ram, 500gb hdd. Its done everything I wanted and is still more than good enough for what I want. It did get a bit slow back in the year, and after a fresh install of windows 10, it hasn't made much difference, still hangs occasionally. Think I've had 2 blue screens over the year, not a big problem as such. A RAM test has shown there are problems with the RAM. Its running 2x 4gb DDR3 1333 Kingston. I had also previously thought about upgrading the hdd to a ssd.

Am I wasting my time by upgrading this laptop by changing the ram and hdd? Or should I just get a new one? I'm fairly good with computers, but I don't need it to do anything special. Can I go up to 1600 or 1866? I gather DDR4 RAM has more pins so wont fit.

 

[J B]

SSD, replace the RAM and a *clean* W10 install and it should be fine
Not sure of costs but circa £75 ... or £500 for new!

 

[Deutzdx3]

I have a dell about the same age as yours, died last week, new ss hard drive fitted and windows 10 installed for £70 so not silly expensive. Only use it for cad drawing so didn’t want to buy a new one just for that.
It boots up now in 15 seconds or so, much faster and better.

Hard drive only 250g A’s didn’t need any more. Kept the 6g ram as is.

 

[SamN]

I assume I'm right in thinking that because I have win 10 already installed, I can reinstall it on a SSD and it will activate automatically as the activation is linked to my system and login account?

 

[Deutzdx3]

I assume I'm right in thinking that because I have win 10 already installed, I can reinstall it on a SSD and it will activate automatically as the activation is linked to my system and login account?

The chap who installed the new hard drive in mine said if the serial number/licence for windows was on the bottom of mine he could have re installed it just like that, mine didn’t have that though so had to buy windows 10 licences. Was only £15 though.

 

[Cowabunga]

The chap who installed the new hard drive in mine said if the serial number/licence for windows was on the bottom of mine he could have re installed it just like that, mine didn’t have that though so had to buy windows 10 licences. Was only £15 though.

Where did you get the W10 license for £15? I need it for one of my machines.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Where did you get the W10 license for £15? I need it for one of my machines.

The chap who fitted the new hard drive installed it. That's his cost price for it so I understand.

 

[Cowabunga]

The chap who fitted the new hard drive installed it. That's his cost price for it so I understand.

Ah! Not much good for me then, but thanks.

 

[J B]

I assume I'm right in thinking that because I have win 10 already installed, I can reinstall it on a SSD and it will activate automatically as the activation is linked to my system and login account?

Correct

Clean Install Windows 10 Directly without having to Upgrade First

How to Directly Clean Install Windows 10 without having to Upgrade First

www.tenforums.com

 

[J B]

Where did you get the W10 license for £15? I need it for one of my machines.

E Bay?

 

[Cowabunga]

E Bay?

Too many scammers on eBay selling vapourware. Some things I’d buy there but not this.

 

[Deutzdx3]

Ah! Not much good for me then, but thanks.

I’ll ask him if he will sell you a licence if you want?

 

[Alchad]

Crucial seems to think you can use 1600

Acer Aspire 5750 | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial UK

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for Acer Aspire 5750

uk.crucial.com

Personally - it's easy spending other folks money- I'd go for the 8gb memory and the 480 SSD and a clean install, or if you wanted to save a few pounds depending on how much of your existing hard drive space you've used, go for the 240gb SSD.

If you're OK with PC's and software you could consider cloning the entire existing hard drive to the SSD, that way all programs snd data get transferred across. I've done tis on several pc's using Reflect Macrium software (because its free!) although there are lots of other cloning programs. It's slightly daunting the first time but advice online via Google if you need it.

Alchad

 

[SamN]

Crucial seems to think you can use 1600

Acer Aspire 5750 | Memory RAM & SSD Upgrades | Crucial UK

Crucial Memory and SSD upgrades - 100% Compatibility Guaranteed for Acer Aspire 5750

uk.crucial.com

Personally - it's easy spending other folks money- I'd go for the 8gb memory and the 480 SSD and a clean install, or if you wanted to save a few pounds depending on how much of your existing hard drive space you've used, go for the 240gb SSD.

If you're OK with PC's and software you could consider cloning the entire existing hard drive to the SSD, that way all programs snd data get transferred across. I've done tis on several pc's using Reflect Macrium software (because its free!) although there are lots of other cloning programs. It's slightly daunting the first time but advice online via Google if you need it.

Alchad

Thanks for your reply. Is it advisable to go for 2x4gb or 1 8gb stick? I think to ensure compatibility, I was just going to stick to the same. I need to test my ram sticks individually, I may only need to buy one. I'm thinking of probably getting an enclosure for my old HDD, so could clone to the SSD using that. That's also my reasons for sticking to a 240gb SSD, did even consider a 120gb but there doesn't seem to be a lot in price.

 

[Timbo]

2x4gb - it will use both in dual channel mode then

 

[Cowabunga]

I’ll ask him if he will sell you a licence if you want?

That would be great, thanks.

I can use W10 without registering it, as can anyone, but I would much prefer to get it registered. The problem is that I hardly ever actually use Windows so I baulk at the official retail license price.

 

[J B]

If you're OK with PC's and software you could consider cloning the entire existing hard drive to the SSD,....................

Personally, I disagree.

Cloning brings all the cr4p from the old PC, whereas a clean install is ... clean!

 

[Timbo]

Personally, I disagree.

Cloning brings all the cr4p from the old PC, whereas a clean install is ... clean!

After a good bit of use, a CLEAN install is definitely very favourable, and when you have all your files on a 2nd drive, its quite alot easier. hard to have a 2nd drive on a laptop though. 'Spose you could partition the drive though...

 

[J B]

Too many scammers on eBay selling vapourware. Some things I’d buy there but not this.

XXXsaid: (On the MSE Forum)

Can I just get Win 10 OEM ? Which will give me a full version of Win 10 It seems to be pretty cheap, £10 then install

You can install Windows 10 for free, all you need to do is click on 'I don't have a licence key' during the download, process, this will restrict you in personalisation like background and theme colours (though you can still use a personal photo as background) and you will get an 'Activate Windows' watermark in the bottom right of the screen though it's not that intrusive. And yes you can get a cheap activation key for a few quid but they are not 100% legit, they do work but it's up to you and your conscience if you use them or not.

 

[Cowabunga]

You can install Windows 10 for free, all you need to do is click on 'I don't have a licence key' during the download, process, this will restrict you in personalisation like background and theme colours (though you can still use a personal photo as background) and you will get an 'Activate Windows' watermark in the bottom right of the screen though it's not that intrusive. And yes you can get a cheap activation key for a few quid but they are not 100% legit, they do work but it's up to you and your conscience if you use them or not.

Yes W10 is freely downloadable from Microsoft's website, as you say. It's the license that costs and it doesn't enable anything more than you say but I reckon its worth a small fee, but not the full retail price.
I've tried one off eBay a while ago and it didn't work. eBay did reimburse immediately, but I would prefer a legit one or at least one that worked.