Gateway Model E2000
Operating System: MS Windows XP Home 32-bit SP3
Browser: Internet Explorer 8
RAM: 768MB SDRAM @ 133MHz (3-3-3-6)
The computer is 8.4 years old.
Black bars on IE8
This started about 2 months ago and I have no idea why. The menu & favorites bar appear black (see image). A quick Google search shows that this is a know glitch. I did find these instructions to fix it, but it’s not a permanent fix, you have to do it each time it happens.
I found it easier to just restart my computer when it happens. This doesn’t affect performance, it’s just annoying. It doesn’t happen all the time. I can go days with out it happening, then there are days like today where it has happen 3 times.
Does anyone know of a permanent fix?
Upgrading memory.
Memory
Type SDRAM
Size 768 MBytes
DRAM Frequency 133.3 MHz
Slot #1: Size-256 Mbytes
Slot #2: Size-512 Mbytes
As I said this computer is over 8 years old and I’m reluctant to spend money I don’t really have to add more memory, but then my frustration with its sluggish performance is getting, well really frustrating. So it would cost about a hundred dollars to max the memory out at 2 Giga bytes. I can’t do that at one go, so I buy one module now and another in a few months, but is it worth it? I hate to have had spent the money and then have some part fail. Which leads to…
Recommend a good cheap new computer.
If I can’t really afford to buy memory why even think about a new computer? Well it’s mostly at my mother’s insistence. Which is funny since we both get the exact same amount from Social Security, her - retirement, me - disability. But she wants to help and has been gently nagging me to find how much a new computer would cost.
So any recommendations on a good, cheap and upgradeable computer?
Thank you.
Obvious things to try would be using an alternate browser (Firefox) or upgrading to IE9 (free). I would definitely NOT put a dime into your existing PC.
Check out Surplus Computers. I’ve bought stuff from them and not had any problems.
First off, everything I’ve read about this says it is a video driver problem. Assuming you’ve not added separate graphics card, this is Intel’s page on your graphics chip. It has an automatic tool, as well as a link to try to get the driver manually. Get the latest version and try that.
However, some reports say that this did not fix the problem on older graphics cards. So I have another, more experimental idea.
I don’t have IE8, so I can’t test this, but, if themes are the problem, perhaps disabling them completely will eliminate the problem. Just do that first step in your quote, except choose Properties. Then, in the dialog box that appears, change the Startup type to Disabled. Now restart Windows, and then see if any programs you normally run have problems.
Since you are using the Windows Classic theme, it shouldn’t change how programs look, but it’s possible some programs require themes to be enabled to work, and it’s very possible that IE8 is one of those programs. But it’s worth a shot.
You might score a freebie memory upgrade or even system by advertising locally - people will be chucking out PC-133 memory. You may still be able to get 20"+ CRTs too.
I’d be very hesitant to spend serious money on that system, even though 2 GB RAM, Windows 7, and a DX9 video card would do it a power of good. It’s quite likely that your motherboard or CPU will fail soon. Popped capacitors are a common failure.
For a replacement system, you need to think about what you currently do and what you want to do. Once you’ve told us that, we can advise you appropriately.
If all you want to do with the computer is web surf, stream video, and listen to music and other basic stuff like that, I got a very similar if not the same computer as this Acer from Newegg for $430, about a year ago (I paid $420 then). I guess it’s considered a low-end manufacturer, but I’ve been extremely happy and satisfied with it, and it has worked perfectly. I didn’t need a new monitor for it, it’s hooked up to my living room TV and entertainment center. I use it every day.
I’m not a techie, but if you’re doing basic web stuff I’m not sure you could build something similar for the money. If you need a new monitor and peripherals, though, someone else with more tech savvy may have a better solution for you.
What CPU does this system have in it (Control Panel/System)?
That system probably isn’t going to perform well no matter what you put into it. The issue is whether there will be enough of an improvement for you to make it worth maxing out the memory.
Other contributing factors are CPU speed and hard disk capacity/speed.
I’d say that if you won’t be able to replace the system within a year, you might want to consider upgrading the memory.
That’s an older technology memory - CPU-Z will tell you exactly what kind. You might be able to get a better deal on some used memory sticks at a local computer store, rather than purchasing “new” ones (which may be unused New Old Stock because I don’t think that type of chip is still made).
As an example, I just sold 35 pounds of assorted memory for scrap value (they reclaim the tiny amount of gold on the connector fingers). I think the largest module in the box was 512MB.
