FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 082 (04/11/97)

NEED FOR SPEED

My father has an unbadged 486 clone, possibly made by Mint, which he thinks has a 33MHz processor, 4Mb RAM, and a 210Mb HDD. At present he uses Windows 3.1, but the machine is slow, especially when he accesses the Internet. I want to upgrade his PC to Windows 95, which we both use at work, but I am unsure whether it is going to be economical. Is it worth changing, if so, what size SIMMs should he purchase? If we do increase the RAM, will this speed the machine up?

Philip Moor

A

First check the modem, if it is a 14.4kbps model, or slower, then this is the most likely cause of sluggish internet performance. If that’s the case upgrading the PC won’t make a blind bit of difference. In order to run Windows 95 the PC will need at least 8Mb of RAM, 16Mb would be better still. However, it is unlikely that it will operate any faster under the weight of Windows 95, it might even load and run some applications a lot slower. On the other hand, Windows 3.1 should fly along with 16Mb RAM. 

ORANGE AID

I have an Ericsson ER100 handset with SIM card facility, connected to the Orange cellular phone network. As I cannot use this network in some overseas countries I thought I could change over to Vodaphone, but they informed me that my present phone is incompatible with their network and that I will have to buy another mobile phone. Is this correct ? What is the purpose of having a SIM card?

Dr. W. S. Rao

A

They are right. Orange (and One-2-One) phones use the PCN system (Personal Communications Network), that operates on the 1800MHz frequency band. Vodaphone and Cellnet handsets are designed for the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) system, which uses the 900MHz band. Dual-band GSM/PCN phones do exist, but they are intended for overseas use, to enable Orange and One-2-One subscribers to access the more numerous GSM networks, with whom they have roaming agreements.

Subscriber Identity Module or SIM cards contain an embedded microchip, programmed with details relating to your phone number and network subscription, plus a ‘phone-book’ memory where you can store frequently used numbers. The purpose of the SIM card is to enable you to change or upgrade phones, without having to go through lengthy re-programming procedures, as is the case when swapping analogue phones. It means that when put your SIM card into any Orange phone it effectively becomes yours, and the network will direct incoming calls to that phone, and bill you for any outgoing calls.

In an ideal world you would be able to use your SIM card in any digital phone, on any network, anywhere in the world. In practice you can’t, and it’s hard to see how the intensely competitive cellphone companies could benefit from such a facility.

NEVER TOO OLD?

I will be 76 years old next month and last year, tired of being computer illiterate, I brought a second-user system from my local friendly computer supplier (now closed down).  The system comprises a Nixdorf 386/20Mb, with 2MB of RAM and a 40Mb hard disc. Now I want to advance and would like to know what would be the minimum specification to use a CD ROM drive, and modem, so that I can send and receive e-mail, and surf the internet. Can I update my system, or will I have to sell it, and start again from scratch?

D.M.Merrett, Sleaford, Lincolnshire

A

A new PC is the only sensible option. E-mail and internet access are possible on an older PC but your machine’s processor, memory and tiny hard disc drive would be quickly overwhelmed. In order to upgrade your machine to a worthwhile specification, you would have to replace almost every major component. In the end it would be cheaper, quicker and a lot less trouble to buy a new machine. Assuming that you’re not interested in graphics-intensive games and applications, you won’t need an especially fast or powerful PC, something like a P166 system should be more than adequate. Intense competition at the top end of the market has driven down prices on less well specified models, you can find competent multimedia packages, with 16Mb RAM, 1.5 to 2Gb hard disc drive, 8 or 16 speed CD ROM, stereo soundcard and speakers, plus a 14-inch monitor, selling in magazines like Micro Mart for between £500 and £600. A fast 33.6 kbps modem will set you back another £50 to £60.