Pentium III upgrade???

[rambi21]

I'm looking at upgrading my business PC so that it can multi-task. OS: Windows ME with MS Office 2000. I primarly use Access, which controls a bar code scanner and other database functions. The PC is installed at a fitness club and when members come in they scan their cards through the scanner, but when they do the computer, breifly stalls.

The PC is an eMachine, Model # 667ir.

Base install:

CPU Fan Type: fc-pga370 - cpu fan
FDD Button: 114947 for FFD SFD-321B/LTGNC, Verna bezel
Modem: Modem w/ Conexant Chipset
Memory: RAM SD-64M PC100
HDD: HDD 15.3GB EIDE, 3.5"
Secondary CD: eCDRW LG CED-8080B (8x4x32) CDEM557LG843
FDD Model: FDD Samsung SFD-321B
Keyboard Model: KB BTC 5190 (19-Key/ekeys)
Prim CD Model: CDD Samsung 48X
Bezel: eChasses 667ir Verna
Audio: Intel 801 Integrated Built-In
CPU: CPU Intel Celeron 677 FCPGA 370
MB: MB Anaheim-3
Video: Intel Direct AGP 3D shared memory Built-In
Power Supply: PS ILSAN ISP-120S, 120Watts
Speaker: Speaker 2.5Wx2 Samsung SP-12
Mouse: Mouse Logitech M-SAS51

No additional upgrades have been made. I looked into upgrading the processor and memory. The current configuration can take a Celeron 1Ghz and 256 of pc133 ram. I don't think this is worth upgrading and would like some opionions based on that. My other option is buying a new computer with either a Pentium III or 4 processor. But, I would rather keep the current computer unless all else fails. And if I did upgrade would the Pentium classed processors handle real-time multi-tasking without slowing down the computer?

 

[GAZZA]

Well a PIII should be fine for upgrading but even your Celeron should be fine , as regards MultiTasking that is down to the Operating System as opposed to your CPU .
I see one thing that your sorely lacking and probably why your getting stalls , your seriously lacking memory , 64mb isnt cutting it with MS office running .
So with a PIII(733+)and say a stick of 128mb ram you should see quite an improvement in performance .

 

[amdskip]

Emachines make me shudder. Anyhow, your processor should be fine for what you are doing. I would add 128mb of memory and install windows 2000 on that machine because frankly windows ME sucks for the most part and is unstable.

 

[GAZZA]

amdskip I was thinking about suggesting the operating system but that all depends if his current software will run on the NT kernel or not , if his software is DOS based then his is out of luck and stuck with ME , I would personally use Win98se over ME from all the horror stories I've heard.

 

[rambi21]

Thank you GAZZA,
I'll install 256 of ram, max upgrade. The eMachine was purchased due to budget constaints, but I've learned my lesson.

 

[compudog]

Upgrade the RAM and install Windows98SE. ME is very unstable. The CPU should be fine with what you are trying to run.