I am wanting to get photoshop for my computer. Requirements say 256 MB of RAM (recommended512 MB) and?

1.5GB of available hard-disk space. I looked on C drive on here and under used it says 17.7 GB and under free it says 15.6 GB, and then it says capacity is 33.3 GB. I have no clue as to what all these things mean. Can someone please tell me do I have enough memory to put Adobe photoshop on my computer and it to run smoothly, also taking into account the pictures I will be loading. Any additional information would be appreciated. Thanks.

2007-10-19T12:20:46Z

I don't know who is giving all ya'll thumbs down but it isn't me! Anyway, I checked and I do have 512 MB!! (so excited!)...lol Thanks for the quick answers!!

Anonymous2007-10-19T12:08:39Z

Favorite Answer

Your C drive is your hard disk space. You have 15.6 gigabytes free so you can install 1.5 gigabytes and still have 14.1 gigabytes free left over.

Your RAM is another issue. In order to find out how much you have on a Windows computer, go to Start->Control Panel (or Start->Settings->Control Panel on Windows 98), double-click on System and look down in the lower right of the window. It should say '# MB of RAM', that number is how much RAM you have so compare it to the 256 minimum/512 recommended to see if you can install the program.

r_moulton762007-10-19T19:18:30Z

OK, here it is, nice and slow.

First, I can't say if you have 'enough' memory since you don't say how much you have, only how much is recommended for Photoshop.

Photoshop says you need 256MB of RAM minimum in order to run the program. RAM (memory) is that section of the computer where the data that the computer is working on now is placed. This memory requirement does not take into account that you are running any number of other programs at the same time -- the operating system, for instance. Windows XP, Service Pack 2 should have 512MB to run comfortably apart from anything else. Add anti-virus, your browser, IM software, etc. and you should REALLY be looking at having a minimum of 1GB of RAM. Unless you don't mind your computer running at a snail's pace.

It's axiomatic that you can't have too much memory, so if you can add more, do so, and as much as you can afford. (Note: make sure you get coolers for any memory stick above 1GB and get RAM with a lifetime warranty. The big sticks tend to overheat and die.)

The hard disk is storage, like a file cabinet. This is where the computer keeps stuff it's NOT working on at the moment. Photoshop needs 1.5GB of storage space in order to be installed. If the above numbers are right, you've got plenty of room for Photoshop.

As to room for your pictures, a 34GB hard drive is pretty small these days. But you have a couple of options.
A) offload pictures to CDs or DVDs once you've edited them. This not only saves space, it means your pictures are safe if the computer goes terminal (sorry, computer humor).
B) add a hard drive. They're available in capacities up to 1 terabyte (1000 gigabytes) now and the 400 or 500GB units are reasonably priced. Once it's installed, you can just move the entire My Pictures folder to the new drive.

x_nihil_x2007-10-19T19:11:19Z

The information you are looking for is available (if you're using Windows) by right clicking the "My Computer" icon and then left clicking on properties.

You are going to be specifically looking at the information under the "Computer:" title. The first is going to say something like "AMD" or "Pentium" this is going to be how fast your processor (the computer's brain is) the second number is going to say something like "1.0 GB or 512MB" this is the amount of RAM (Memory) that the computer has installed. if it recommends 512MB then the program will run fine. If it has only 256MB the program will probably run slow and sluggishly. A gigabyte is larger then a megabyte.

The numbers you posted above refer to how much storage capacity your machine has on its hard disk drive. The total amount-33.3 gigabytes and the amount used- 17.7 gig bytes, which leaves 15.6 gigabytes free. This is a pretty good amount of storage space.

Don't forget to check the Photoshop recommended operating system and processor speeds as well. Operating system refers to what version of Windows you are running (XP, 98, 2000.) Processor speed, as I mentioned above, is how fast your computer can process information.

Good luck!

CuriousOwner2007-10-19T19:50:48Z

Ok, from your question, your hard drive (hard-disk) has plenty of room.
Big question now is, is there enough RAM? You can find this out by clicking on your start menu (I assume you're using Windows), open 'Control Panel', Click on 'System'.
A window will pop up called "System Properties" and under the 'General' tab, it will list detail about your computer including the amount of RAM installed. If under the 'Computer' section on the page, it says (at least) 256MB of RAM, then your ok but it WILL be slow. If it says 512MB or so, you'll run a lot smoother.
You should really consider a MINIMUM of 512MB's to run Windows with anyway so if you have a lower RAM amount, I'd recommend getting an upgrade to at least 1GB of RAM.
You'll notice everything runs faster with more RAM!
You can find online help to 'do it yourself' or go to a local computer shop and have it done.
Good luck!
PS, make sure you have good up to date antivirus and a good firewall installed!

thoughtwords2007-10-19T19:10:11Z

Memory (RAM) and Storage (hard disk) are different things. Your hard disk appears to have plenty of room since you have 15.6GB remaining out of 33.3GB total (10 times what you need). In any relatively new computer (last 3-4 years) you should have enough RAM, probably 2-4 times the recommended amount.

On a Windows machine, right-click My Computer and select Properties. Near the bottom you will see how much RAM you have (along with information about your processor and such).

Show more answers (9)