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Upgrading
Your Computer's Memory Like a Pro
If
you find you simply must buy some memory now, I'd personally recommend
that you shop around for vendors willing to sell stock on hand at
merely 100-200% profit margins. They are out there.
Increasing the total memory on your computer will contribute to
the overall performance of your system. Memory decreases the requirements
of your CPU (central processing unit), enabling it to handle a larger
workload.
Unfortunately adding memory cannot speed up your motherboard. I
may delve deeper into this topic in a future article.
Your new software applications often require more memory consumption
than your older applications. If your system has only 32MB of RAM
(Random Access Memory) you should be running to the store to increase
it to at least 64MB of RAM. If your OS (operating system) is Windows
98, 96MB of Ram is more appropriate.
Heavy game playing consumes RAM, as do large multi-tasking operations.
If you are such a user, consider minimally 160MB or more. For serious
memory upgrades, buy the largest pieces of memory for each available
memory slot on the motherboard as is charted out by the motherboard
manual.
Yet another reason to buy more memory, or to upgrade to bigger and
faster memory types, is to solve mysterious system problems that
can be attributed to "bad memory" after all other possible
causes have been ruled out.
There are a multitude of other considerations to think about before
purchasing memory; I have only touched upon a few! In the interest
of brevity...
You will need to check your motherboard manual to see what types
of memory can be purchased and installed in your system, and in
what combination(s). Specific memory types and their respective
combinations should be clearly charted for you in the manual to
equal the total memory possible for your system. Have your motherboard
manual handy when you make your memory purchase.
Next you must visually inspect the memory already installed to determine
its type and amount. If you are unable to identify it, bring it
with you.
Remove memory carefully! Turn off the computer, ground yourself
with a static wrist strap, remove the computer case, carefully release
any clips that may be retaining the memory modules in place, then
lift out the memory while noting its orientation for when you're
ready to install new memory.
If your system is older, you may be dismayed to learn that SIMM
memory, for example, is no longer readily available. Intensive searching
of memory vendors may produce some sticks for you to buy, but their
cost may exceed simply discarding the old memory and filling your
DIMM slots with large memory modules.
Memory types cannot be mixed. If your motherboard does not support
a memory type (it will be described in the manual), it is not recommended
to try to install it. If you do not have a motherboard manual, you
may opt to remove the case to visually inspect the memory slots
available to you.
Simply described, shorter 72-pin banks are for SIMM memory modules.
Longer 168-pin banks are DIMM slots. For accurate evaluation of
your memory options available, it is advisable to check your motherboard's
website where you may find pictures of motherboards and manuals
available for download.
To install memory, unplug the computer, ground yourself with a static
wrist strap, remove the case, orientate the memory correctly. (Observe
the notches in the module with the notches on the motherboard).
Insert it at an angle into the slot; press firmly until it is seated.
Inspect it to see if it is seated in an upright position.
Boot up. If your PC (personal computer) refuses to boot up or fails
to recognize the new memory, enter the bios on older systems to
specify the amount of RAM in kilobytes. Try rebooting to see if
the memory is finally recognized.
Uninstall and re-install the memory modules methodically, booting
up after each installation to see if the memory is recognized. Don't
despair, I've had to re-install memory 3x before the system recognized
it. Each time I believed the memory was installed correctly, but
obviously the motherboard thought otherwise.
Disclaimer: Mr Tweaks and the writer can assume no responsibility
for the results if you attempt to install the memory yourself. If
you are unsure about working on your own computer, it may be best
left to a qualified technician.
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