Upgrading your RAM What, Why, and How Presented by Jamie Leben IT-Works Computer Services

What is R.A.M. ? R. andom R. andom A. ccess A. ccess M. emory M. emory Small circuit boards holding ICs that plug into the main board of your computer Small circuit boards holding ICs that plug into the main board of your computer Where your computer stores and works with information for active programs Where your computer stores and works with information for active programs

Here is an example:

Why upgrade your RAM? It’s an easy, economical way to improve your PC’s performance. It’s an easy, economical way to improve your PC’s performance. For $50-$100, your PC will be noticeably snappier. For $50-$100, your PC will be noticeably snappier. It’s a do-it-yourself project! It’s a do-it-yourself project!

Why does RAM help? Think of RAM like a desk in an office. The larger the desk, the more space you have to work without having to return projects to the filing cabinet (the hard drive) Think of RAM like a desk in an office. The larger the desk, the more space you have to work without having to return projects to the filing cabinet (the hard drive)

How much RAM do I need? The more the better… up to a point The more the better… up to a point Windows 98/ME- 512MB is optimal Windows 98/ME- 512MB is optimal Windows XP/ GB is optimal* Windows XP/ GB is optimal* *Audio, Video, and Photo editing “power users” can benefit from 2GB or more *Audio, Video, and Photo editing “power users” can benefit from 2GB or more

How much RAM do I have? Right click once on “My Computer” Right click once on “My Computer” Left click “Properties” Left click “Properties” Select the “General” tab Select the “General” tab “xxx MB RAM” appears near the bottom “xxx MB RAM” appears near the bottom

Looking under the hood Check for open RAM slots and RAM type Check for open RAM slots and RAM type Shut down your PC Shut down your PC Unplug the PC’s power cord Unplug the PC’s power cord Open up the case Open up the case Notebooks: bottom cover Notebooks: bottom cover Locate installed RAM Locate installed RAM Approx. 5” long Approx. 5” long Installed vertically Installed vertically Held by clips on the ends Held by clips on the ends

Looking under the hood Remove a RAM stick Remove a RAM stick Ground yourself to the chassis Ground yourself to the chassis Use a wrist strap or keep one hand on the metal case of the power supply Use a wrist strap or keep one hand on the metal case of the power supply Push outward on retaining clips Push outward on retaining clips Ram will pop up Ram will pop up

What type of RAM is it? PC: DDR 184 pins DDR 184 pins Single center slot Single center slot Buy in pairs for “dual channel” Buy in pairs for “dual channel” DDR2 240 pins DDR2 240 pins Single center slot Single center slot Always has heat spreader Always has heat spreader

What type of RAM is it? PC: SDRAM 168 pin SDRAM 168 pin Two widely spaced slots Two widely spaced slots 512mb max?? 512mb max?? RDRAM 184 pin RDRAM 184 pin Two closely spaced slots Two closely spaced slots Very expensive, bought in pairs Very expensive, bought in pairs

What type of RAM is it? Notebook: SDRAM SODIMM SDRAM SODIMM 144 pins 144 pins Single center slot Single center slot DDR/2 SODIMM DDR/2 SODIMM 200 pins 200 pins Single offset slot Single offset slot

Looking under the hood Reinsert the RAM and close the case Reinsert the RAM and close the case Plug the machine back in and start it. Plug the machine back in and start it.

Go shopping! Local stores stock RAM Local stores stock RAM Online sites with RAM selection wizards: Online sites with RAM selection wizards: Not the most aggressive pricing though Not the most aggressive pricing though IT-Works has good RAM prices ;0) IT-Works has good RAM prices ;0)

Installing the new RAM Create a bootable RAM test disk before installing the new RAM Create a bootable RAM test disk before installing the new RAM Google search for “memory test” Google search for “memory test” Memtest86 makes bootable floppies or CDs Memtest86 makes bootable floppies or CDs Microsoft windows memory diagnostic makes either bootable CDs or floppies Microsoft windows memory diagnostic makes either bootable CDs or floppies Insert the bootable CD/floppy before shutting the PC down Insert the bootable CD/floppy before shutting the PC down

Installing the new RAM Shut down your PC Shut down your PC Unplug the PC’s power cord Unplug the PC’s power cord Open up the case Open up the case Notebooks: bottom cover Notebooks: bottom cover Ground yourself to the chassis Ground yourself to the chassis Use a wrist strap or keep one hand on the metal case of the power supply Use a wrist strap or keep one hand on the metal case of the power supply

Installing the new RAM Align the key notch on the RAM with the key tab in the RAM socket Align the key notch on the RAM with the key tab in the RAM socket Press the RAM stick into place Press the RAM stick into place Listen for click of retaining tabs Listen for click of retaining tabs Up to 20 lbs of force may be needed Up to 20 lbs of force may be needed Close up the machine Close up the machine Plug it in Plug it in Start the computer Start the computer

Installing the new RAM Most machines will display a “RAM changed” message Most machines will display a “RAM changed” message Usually push F1 to continue Usually push F1 to continue Sometimes F2 is required to take you into “setup”, the machine’s BIOS Sometimes F2 is required to take you into “setup”, the machine’s BIOS Find the “save changes and exit” Find the “save changes and exit” Boot to the RAM test program Boot to the RAM test program Sometimes you need to press F10 or F12 at boot up Sometimes you need to press F10 or F12 at boot up Let the memory test run for at least 5 minutes Let the memory test run for at least 5 minutes

Installing the new RAM Remove the RAM test boot disk Remove the RAM test boot disk Reboot the machine Reboot the machine When Windows boots, check to see if the new RAM was identified When Windows boots, check to see if the new RAM was identified Right click once on “My Computer” Right click once on “My Computer” Left click “Properties” Left click “Properties” Select the “General” tab Select the “General” tab “xxx MB RAM” appears near the bottom “xxx MB RAM” appears near the bottom Success!!! Success!!!

Any Questions?