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Effects of more memory |
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A client asked me to look at an old PC that was suffering some problems and was running very slowly. The PC in question is an 8 year old Dell Dimension.
One area I looked at was RAM, the PC still had the original 512MB (2 x 256MB PC3200) installed and clearly this was a factor behind the poor performance. As an experiment I first replaced the memory with a single 1GB stick of PC2700, despite the performance loss through use of a single stick in a dual channel setup this produced a noticeable improvement. Encouraged by this test I then purchased a matching pair of memory modules from a local ebay seller. In an attempt to quantify the results, although clearly the difference in daily use is far more important, I ran Novabench tests to benchmark the results (the memory was the only change point between the tests).
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| Total |
Modules Installed |
Specification |
RAM Speed |
Novabench Score |
Comments |
| 512MB |
2 x 256MB |
PC3200 |
1809 MB/sec |
62 |
Original configuration |
| 1GB |
1 x 1024MB |
PC2700 |
1301 MB/sec |
77 |
Intermediate test |
| 1GB |
2 x 512MB |
PC3200 |
1762 MB/sec |
79 |
Final configuration |
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One area that's inclusive is whether the reported speed of the intermediate test is caused by (1) running a single module, (2) switching from PC3200 to PC2700 or (3) a combination. I'm happy to assume the minor speed difference between the 2 PC3200 configurations is the result of manufacturing variances (different manufacturers).
As a result of this and other actions performed, this client has now been able to breathe some more life into an old PC, deferring the expense of a new PC whilst also thinking of the environment through reuse rather than replace. |
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Website inoperable |
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Website Inoperable – December 2011
The company in question had posted an urgent requirement on a freelancer website as their website had stopped working. They had inadvertently also posted some of the administration login details for all to see when they selected a freelancer to assist them.
Our involvement commenced when post was spotted by one of our technicians, we immediately contacted the organisation to bring this to their attention and at the same time taking the opportunity to offer our services if the selected freelancer was unable to resolve the problem. Our offer of help was subsequently accepted.
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Read more...
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Testimonials - fact or fiction? |
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They may be a common feature of many websites, but are the testimonials fact or fiction? Is there any value because of the fictitious possibility?
Before I continue, I'd like to make one thing clear, the testimonials on this site are 100% accurate being copied / pasted directly from the source (eg email), but then again I'm hardly likely to say any different am I?
I developed a website for a glass company in Oxfordshire a while back, one feature of the site was a testimonials page. The company in question had been trading for over 37 years at the time, but were only able to provide 1 testimonial to publish on the site, and when asked for more the reply I received was (copied / pasted direct from email) "ill make some up".
Their site now contains 4 testimonials, whilst it's possible that these are for recent work since another developer became involved with the site, it's equally possible that some of these may be the work of fiction.
I have deliberately not named the company in case the testimonials are all accurate, but equally I still have the email in which the intention of making up testimonials was declared.
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A Simple Check |
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If you had to, would you be able to restore from your backups?
You do backup your system, don't you?
It's strongly recommended that you test your backups
How long ago was your anti-virus profile last updated?
Your software should be set to update regularly. Assuming you've been connected to the Internet you should expect to see the most recent update within the past 24 hours
Do you have Windows updated enabled?
Microsoft issue regular security fixes, you should allow updates to happen automatically, or to at least prompt when there is an update to be applied.
Are your USB Flash Drives encrypted?
If you lost an unencrypted flash drive, would it concern you if the data got into the wrong hands? If you store any confidential or other sensitive data on a USB stick you should look at encryption.
Do you use strong passwords, even if not compulsory?
You won't have the choice with online banking etc, but even if you are not forced to, do you choose to use strong passwords in some cases (for example your email account)? |
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What is Information Security? |
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Information security means protecting information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification or destruction. (source : Wikipedia) |
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