Acer Aspire One Netbook query

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[geekdom]

Acer Aspire One Netbook

Specifications:

1GB RAM
160GB HDD
Intel Atom CPU N270

32-bit

This laptop was purchased June 2009 and left largely unused in the interval between then and now. It originally had Windows XP operating system.

20H2 was just installed on it with no ill effects, but it moves like a herd of turtles.

What does it require to run more efficiently?

Obviously, more RAM is needed, but how much more? And is it straight-forward to install?

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

• This topic was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.
• This topic was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.

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IMHO some things just aren’t meant to be, and one of those things is a 1GB RAM, 160 GB HDD, Atom CPU N270, 32 bit computer running – or trying to run – Windows.

I have a 2009 Gateway netbook with the same specs, that came with Win 7 Starter that “moves like a herd of turtles”. Back in 2009-2011 it was marginally acceptable, but it turned into my guinea pig machine for testing Win 7 patches, for which it was excellent because I didn’t really care what happened to it, and because it gave me a very good idea of what to expect when I installed patches on Win 7 computers that I really needed to work. (It’s small size and light weight made it very nice for travelling, back in the day.)

Now, I have it dual booted with Linux Mint 19.2 Cinnamon 64 bit (my atom processor turned out to support 64 bit OSs and programs). If you give it about 15 minutes to boot up and do whatever update checking, etc. it thinks it needs to do, it actually moves along fairly well. So now it’s my guinea pig machine for Mint 19.2 updates (not that I really need it in that capacity since 19.2 updates are always reliable in my experience), and it once again would be nice for traveling.

I’m far from a computer hardware techie, but I didn’t see any way of adding more RAM on this computer. That meant there wasn’t much else I could do to speed it up since the HDD seemed fairly fast and internet connections were pretty quick and stable.

So, my suggestion is to use it as a Linux computer. I think Mint is faster than Ubuntu (those are the only two distros I have any experience with). I would stick with Mint but maybe use a lighter weight desktop like Mate or XFCE. There are also some other distros that are purported to be good/fast for computers with limited resources. Or, you could use it as your guinea pig machine for Win 10 patches (which is probably what I’d be doing if I was running Win 10).

1 user thanked author for this post.

geekdom

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One of the lightweight Linux variants would be my suggestion.

AbsoluteLinux, Lubuntu, LXLE, etc.

cheers, Paul

2 users thanked author for this post.

geekdom, DrBonzo

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It appears I have a guinea pig computer.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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The guinea pig computer is incapable of multi-tasking with Windows 10; it’s time for a wipe and probably Linux only.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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I have a netbook with similar characteristics: Acer Aspire One Happy 2 AOD2607.

Specs:

Processor: Intel Atom N570 (1 MB L2 cache, 1.66 Ghz)
RAM: 1GB DDR3
Hard Drive: 250GB SATA
OS: Windows 7 Starter 32 bits

Just last week I added more RAM to it, raising it to 2GB DD3, which is the maximum the motherboard supports, and I upgraded the OS to Windows 8.1 Pro 32-bit. And, to my surprise, the netbook behaves with more stability than when I used Windows 7 Starter and with a slightly higher speed. Let’s understand: given the hardware limitations of the netbook, doubling the RAM will not make it considerably faster but, in my case, it did go from being a herd of turtles to being somewhat more stable and slightly faster.

Adding the memory module involves disassembling the notebook (disassembling the keyboard, under which five screws are removed which, in turn, allow the lower plastic cover of the netbook to be removed, allowing access to the memory module). It was no problem. On YouTube there are videos that explain how to do it step by step:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS4u1EjwQgw

Before updating your operating system to Windows 8.1, and even before adding more RAM, check the Acer website for a BIOS update for your netbook model. If so, download and update it. Once updated, access the BIOS configuration and, in the hard disk configuration, activate the AHCI mode, if not or if it is.

Although the processor supports 64-bit systems, avoid them, obviously because they require more RAM. Seek to use low-resource web browsers and antivirus. In my case, I opted for Comodo IceDragon and 360 Total Security.

In conclusion, I will not have obtained, by today’s standards, a robust and multitasking system, but one that decently and desirably fulfills the purposes for which I use this device: web browsing and email checking.
I hope I was helpful.

2 users thanked author for this post.

geekdom, DrBonzo

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Back to Plan A: more RAM.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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I forgot to mention one peculiarity of these Acer devices: they use a tool called “Acer ePower Management”. It is not a simple power saving plan, it is a tool that apparently manages device IRQs regardless of the power plan that is chosen. I had several BSODs disabling it. That was the reason why I should have opted for an upgrade rather than a clean install of Windows.

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geekdom

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More RAM and replacing the HDD with SATA SSD.

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I’m not replacing the HDD.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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uppgrade the memory to the 2Gb limit, then dump M$ and install 64bit mint mate or xfce on the netbook (18.x or 19.x are the most stable, don’t go with the 20.x, they are still in alpha albeit released to the public)

FYI your netbook is 64bit, why they shipped with 32bit win7 starter was a bad move by acer :)/

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64bit anything is wasted on 2GB and may actually use more memory than 32bit, but if it’s the only thing you can get…

cheers, Paul

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A 2GB RAM chip has been ordered.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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what OS you are planning to put on the netbook @geekdom?
I’d stick with a 32bit OS (although these netbooks are 64bit capable and slow with a 64bit OS)
The jump to 2Gb from 1Gb memory isn’t all that great on these handy little devices.
An SSD is my recommendation, and well worth it. (been there, seen it, done it to my netbook)

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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[geekdom]

Acer Aspire one netbook D150-1044
Model: KAV10

The operating system is already there and has been updated once:

offline▸ Win10Pro 20H2.19042.630 x32 Atom N270 RAM1GB HDD WindowsDefender GuineaPigVariant

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.
• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.

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A 2GB RAM chip has been ordered.

?No provision for 2×1 GB running in dual-channel mode??

Zig

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there is only one memory slot on the acer netbooks, otherwise I’d have it maxed out already

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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I had an Acer D250 in the same configuration as the OP, but upgraded the memory to 2Gb (the max).  I also currently have an ASUS 1005HAB with the same specs and upgraded ram which came with Win 7 Starter.

Both these machines  run Win 10 horribly slow.  Upgrades take vastly longer than they should, but as someone indicated they can be used as Win 10 test machines.

I have tried several versions of Linux on both the netbooks, but find Anti-X and Bunsen Labs seem to work the best, as they are light on resources, but even they are not that great, especially when web browsing.

For me, these machines are far past their useful lives and are ready for pasture.  I would not recommend you spend any money to upgrade your Acer in anyway as it will be a waste.  These old netbooks were very under-powered when they were new and totally obsolete now, in my opinion.

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Acer Aspire one D150-1044
Model: KAV10

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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WUMgr works well for updates on this machine as update progress can actually be viewed with a green line. Updates are excruciatingly slow and monitoring progress is helpful. (It beats watching blinking lights.)

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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For this particular model, memory is directly accessed from the back by removing one screw.

• Battery removed first.
• RAM cover removed.
• 1GB RAM chip removed.
• New 2GB RAM chip inserted.
• RAM cover put on.
• Battery put back in.

This laptop now has 2GB RAM.

Chip cost: $12.00

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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This was fun. Thanks to all for useful suggestions in getting an old laptop up to speed as much as possible.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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So, what was the effect of the memory upgrade? Notebook now ~usable??

Zig

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[geekdom]

Some tests are in order before any speed improvement can be stated:

• File operations: copies, deletes
• Two or more programs running at once
• Install third-party program
• Install cumulative update or cumulative preview
• Windows Defender quick scan
• Windows Defender full scan

Any other test suggestions?

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.

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General web surfing; opening several tabs & switching between them. Opening email. Not necessarily quantitative tests as much as general impressions.

Zig

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[geekdom]

This one doesn’t go web surfing or mailing until I’m sure it can manage basics.

For a quick Windows Defender scan, time cut from 9 minutes to 3 minutes.

 

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.

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[geekdom]

Some speed improvement tests with 2GB RAM:

• File operations: copies, deletes are faster. This is an impression, not a benchmark.
• Two or more programs running at once can be done, but it’s not fast.
• Installing third-party programs is fairly quick, but I installed single function software.
• Installing Microsoft software is slow, not an update.
• Cleanup function such as DISM and sfc /scannow are slow.
• Windows Defender quick scan is faster.
• Windows Defender full scan is faster.
• Don’t let programs run on startup. Continuously running software slows down other software that’s trying to run.
• Keyboard entry and mouse clicks have slow response.

Mail program was installed, but not populated with addresses. Mozilla Firefox was installed, but not customized, and no surfing. (Bare-bones setup for mail and browser.)

This laptop is the computer-of-last-resort, a plan for when nothing else runs and I need access from one of my backup disks or to use system operations.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

• This reply was modified 4 years, 5 months ago by geekdom.

1 user thanked author for this post.

DrBonzo

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