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Time is very unkind to computer buyers. As soon as you get your new system unpacked and set up, the next generation of bigger, better and faster computers are on the market leaving you feeling outdated and old. Naturally the computer industry wants you to run out and buy a complete new system for $1200 or more, but with the economy being what it is today, that is not an option for a lot of us. If you have a 233 MHZ Pentium II processor or the equivalent, you can get a lot of increase in performance from an upgrade that will only cost you a small fraction of the cost of a new system.

Adding memory (called RAM for random access memory) can be the cheapest and easiest way to upgrade your system. Memory is now cheaper than it has ever been and all it requires is plugging it into the motherboard. The Kingston Technology Memory Company has a great website (www.kingston.com) that has all kind of information on what type memory to buy, how much to buy and detailed instructions on how to install it.

Installing a hard drive is a little more complicated than memory but can provide a lot of storage space for new and more complicated programs. You can buy these in kit form that includes mounting hardware, instruction manual, and installation software that allows you to copy the contents of your existing hard drive to the new one. One point to consider, make sure your system BIOS (basic input/output system) is compatible or you may have to invest in a new IDE Controller card to upgrade your BIOS. Even if you have to buy this, you should be able to upgrade your system to 256 MB of RAM and a 30GB or 40GB hard drive for less than $200. Buy a hard drive that has from 10GB to 40GB of storage for plenty of space for future use. There is also one other advantage for having a large hard drive, when the disk gets close to its capacity it slows your system down considerably. So if you are somewhat computer literate about the inner workings of your system, and are adventurous and would like to save money, then by all means look into this option.

The Internet offers several competitive sites that you can shop for best values and upgrading. Keeping a watchful eye out on a regular basis will increase your savings since most sites run weekly specials. Once you've determined what it is you need to shop for, logging on to price comparison sites, weekly special links, and savings codes pages will maximize your investment. Patience prevails especially when it comes to saving money on computer equipment.

One word of caution, if you are not familiar with the general inner workings of a computer you should not attempt an upgrade alone. Ask for help through a local dealer or find yourself a good computer "Guru." You can also look into taking short courses at your local library, computer store, high school or local college. In the long run, the time and money will be returned to you with your increased knowledge and confidence in taking control of your home PC.

Have fun and save money!
Donna Montaldo
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