For a PC running any version of Windows you can click on Start, run your cursor up to "Programs," a side menu should pop out where you can run the cursor to "Accessories," where another menu should open where you can run the cursor out over "System Tools" which should open another menu where you can CLICK on "System Information."

The "instruction" above would usually be written more simply as:

Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|System Information.

Along the way toward the click, if you don't see the next step, you may see a "double chevron" (>>) that you'll need to click to "expand" the menu choices.

The System Information should open with a "system summary" that will tell you the correct name of your Operating System (OS), total physical memory (RAM), total available physical memory, total virtual memory, and total available virtual memory.

Note: Don't get eager and try to "File|Print" in System Information until you get a little familiar with how to print just what you want. A full SysInfo print for any recent version will use up at least 2,000 pages of your paper and you may run out of ink before it finishes on most printers.

For Windows XP, the "Total Installed Memory" (RAM) should be at least 0.5 GB (500 MB) which is the minimum recommended to limp along. Most people consider 1 GB about minimum necessary for moderately heavy-duty use. "Lots" for WinXP would mean at least 2 GB of RAM for casual users, and something more like 8 or 16 GB for geeks.

Start with this little look up, and let us know what you find.

John