so, the 6400 is actually the best ram the board in the vista machine can take. ok.

that leaves me with amazon as my only option, as even hp no longer carries the part. at least it's cheap.

i also need to get a new battery for this machine.

updated total:

phone (amazon): $105
2 gb laptop ram (amazon): $2x15
battery (amazon): $27
< 140 gb ide hds (found, not confirmed) (kijiji): $2x10
1 tb laptop sshds (best buy): $2x90

==================
$362

so, i'm committing to spending a total of  $147 to fix this laptop. cheaper than a new buy, for sure.

it's time to sleep.