is buying memory the way to make you computer faster or can i download something?

As to speed there is probably no software (download) that will affect much.

If you post back the results of this scan we can perhaps advise of possible upgrades.

http://www.d-a-l.com/hardware-scan.php

OS Information:
Property Value
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Service Pack 2.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS


Processor:
Property Value
Current Clock Speed 2399
Description x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz

Current Clock Speed 2399
Description x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.40GHz


Memory (RAM):
Property Value
Bank Label Bank0/1
Capacity 536870912

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~512 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 511MB

Disk Drives:
Property Value
Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model IOMEGA ZIP 100
Media Type
Number of Partitions

Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model WDC WD1200JB-00GVA0
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 120031511040 (~112 GB)
Number of Partitions 1


Installed Printers:
Property Value
Name HP DeskJet 895Cse (Copy 1)
Port Name LPT1:
Default True
Driver Name HP DeskJet 895Cse


Motherboard:
Property Value
Manufacturer
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product PT800CE-A
Serial Number
Version


BIOS:
Property Value
Manufacturer Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Name Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Release Date 20040723000000.000000+000
Version PT800 - 42302e31


Monitor:
Property Value
Description Dell M780
Name Dell M780
Screen Height 768
Screen Width 1024


Keyboard:
Property Value
Description Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard


Pointing Device:
Property Value
Manufacturer Microsoft
Name PS/2 Compatible Mouse


Sound Card:
Property Value
Manufacturer Realtek
Description Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Device ID PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3059&SUBSYS_1B411019&REV_60\3&13C 0B0C5&0&8D


Video Card:
Property Value
Adapter Compatibility NVIDIA
Adapter RAM 33554432
Description NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Installed Display Drivers nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.8198
Driver Date 12/10/2005 11:06:00 AM
Video Mode Description 1024 x 768 x 4294967296 colors


DirectX Installation:
Property Value
Version 6.03.01.0148


Modem:
Property Value

Network Adapters:
Property Value
Description VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter
Description RAS Async Adapter
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport
Description WAN Miniport (L2TP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPTP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPPOE)
Description Direct Parallel
Description WAN Miniport (IP)
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport
Description D-Link Air DWL-122 Wireless USB Adapter
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport

External Ports:
Property Value
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator USB0
External Reference Designator AUDIO

Expansion Slots:
Property Value
Slot Designation PCI0
Slot Designation PCI1
Slot Designation PCI2
Slot Designation PCI3
Slot Designation AGP





i want to add a expansion pack to a game and i know i am running out of speed.

Your Graphics device is very limited.

Is this a Dell computer?

If so what is the exact model and number?


Also: can you describe what you mean by: running out of speed?

it was a dell at one time, then a friend built us a computer.

buy running out of speed i mean, i have 3 highly demanding games on the computer. my computer seems a bit slugish. what makes a computer faster?

A new graphics card first of all.

Your current card NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420 is old compared to standard time lines.

It only supports DirectX 7 where 9.0c is the latest. Also at 32MB RAM it is lacking. Most modern cards are running 256MB.

Also your main board RAM at 512MB is cool for most applications but most high end games want at least 1GB.

so a new graphics card and more memory and i should be set?

do you have any thoughts of which brand i should buy?

Also, how much would all this general cost?

A new graphics card definitely.

More RAM would help as well.

You need to verify the compatibility with what you already have as to the RAM.

This scan might help there:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listmfgr.asp?cat=RAM

Graphics cards:

http://www.ati.com/products/gamer.html

Just note that you have an AGP slot. Not PCI_E.

To upgrade to PCI_E you would need a new motherboard.

I am going to go to bed now. ( pushing 2:00am here) but i will talk to you tomorrow about this.
thanks for the help.

Good night.

Yikes it's 4 AM here!

Will be here tomorow.