My friend has a Dell Dimension 3100.
It is currently taking a long time to start.
I have suggested deleting some programs which are not used.
However I read about a 2GB upgrade which looks fairly simple.
Am I right in thinking that this will speed up the PC?
Also she tells me the noise on start up has become very noisy - would this be the fan?
I am looking at it next weekend so any advice would be greatly received.

Really depends on just how old it is and what a "long time" actually is.

More details would be useful before a properly thought-out response can be given

That's an old model, and yes, add 2GB to the RAM. It only has 512MB.
Don't be shy about seating the new memory in the slots. It takes a LOT of pressure. Maybe I'm an old lady but it's still a lot for anyone.
Yes, vacuum the fan. It's easy to take the cover off.

(Now if only getting to the fan were as easy on my Dell Inspiron notebook... I've been putting it off and my power supply overheats every 10 minutes or less.)

Thank you very much. Great answer.

That's an old model, and yes, add 2GB to the RAM. It only has 512MB.
Don't be shy about seating the new memory in the slots. It takes a LOT of pressure. Maybe I'm an old lady but it's still a lot for anyone.
Yes, vacuum the fan. It's easy to take the cover off.

(Now if only getting to the fan were as easy on my Dell Inspiron notebook... I've been putting it off and my power supply overheats every 10 minutes or less.)

Thank you

Really depends on just how old it is and what a "long time" actually is.

More details would be useful before a properly thought-out response can be given

Bought in 2005 and 30 minutes plus for start up.
Having deleted lots of applications now approx 10 minutes.

Seriously, might be better off investing in a new(er) machine than throwing good money at this dinosaur.

Seriously, might be better off investing in a new(er) machine than throwing good money at this dinosaur.

I agree.

PC is for her children aged 9 & 6 to do homework on.
That's all.
Thanks for your help.