2. Chapter Objectives In this chapter, you will learn:
About the different kinds of physical memory (RAM) used on the motherboard
About Windows memory management
How to upgrade memory modules
How to troubleshoot memory
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

3. RAM on the Motherboard
Memory is divided into two categories: ROM and RAM
ROM retains its data when the computer is turned off
RAM loses all of its data when the computer is turned off
A computer system has two kinds of memory
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

4. RAM on the Motherboard
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

5. Static RAM Technologies
Memory caching is a method used to store data or programs in SRAM for quick retrieval
Memory caching relies on SRAM chips to store data and a cache controller to manage the storage and retrieval of data from SRAM
When cache memory is located on the motherboard, it either is located on individual chips or on a memory module called cache on a stick
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

6. Static RAM Technologies
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

7. Static RAM Technologies
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

8. Dynamic RAM Technologies
Dynamic RAM (DRAM) needs to be refreshed every few milliseconds
DRAM is refreshed by the memory controller
In current PCs, DRAM is always stored in DIMM, RIMM, or SIMM modules, which plug directly into a bank on the mother board
A bank is a location on the motherboard that contains slots for memory modules
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

9. Dynamic RAM Technologies
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

10. SIMM Technologies SIMMs are rated by speed, measured in nanoseconds
This speed is a measure of access time
Common SIMM speeds are 60, 70, or 80 ns
The smaller the speed rating is, the faster the chip
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

11. DIMM Technologies
A DIMM is a memory module that has pins on opposite sides of the circuit board that do not connect and thus form two sets of contacts
Contain 168 or 184 pins
Hold between 8 MB and 2 GB of RAM
Newer DIMMS hold chips that use synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), which is DRAM that runs in sync with the system clock and thus runs faster than other types of DRAM
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

12. RIMM Technologies
A RIMM is a memory module that houses Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) chips, which are much faster than SDRAM
With RIMMs, each socket must be filled to maintain continuity throughout all sockets
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

13. Factors Determining Memory Speeds
Speed of memory
Memory technology used
Latency rating
Type of error checking used
Single channel versus dual channel
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

14. Factors Determining Memory Speeds
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

15. Factors Determining Memory Speeds
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

16. Windows Memory Management
The process of assigning memory address to programs is called memory mapping
Once memory addresses have been assigned, they can be used for communication with software
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

17. The Evolution of OS Memory Management
Early CPUs only had 20 lines on the bus available to handle addresses, which was 1MB of memory, divided up as follows:
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

18. The Evolution of OS Memory Management
If the OS is low on RAM, it can store some data on the hard drive, a method called virtual memory
Data transferred to virtual memory is stored in a file on the hard drive called a swap file or paging file
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

19. The Evolution of OS Memory Management
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

20. Memory is allocated in 4K segments or pages
Memory Management in Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003
With this model, an application or device driver indicates that it needs memory, but it does not have to tell Windows which physical or which memory addresses it wants
Memory is allocated in 4K segments or pages
Windows assigns a certain number of pages to an application or device driver that needs memory
Windows virtual memory manager handles managing the memory addresses used for each page and can choose to store these pages in RAM or in the hard drive in the swap file named Pagefile.sys
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

21. Memory Management in Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

22. Upgrading Memory
Determine how much memory you have, and how much you need
Determine the size and type of modules you should buy to be compatible with the memory you already have installed
Determine how much and what types of memory you can fit on the motherboard
Determine how much you can afford
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

23. Amount of Existing Memory and Additional Memory Needed
Right-click My Computer on the Start menu, click Properties, and then click the General tab to determine how much memory you have
If possible upgrade a Windows XP system to at least 512 MB of RAM
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

24. Match Memory Modules to the Motherboard
Newer motherboards support either ECC or non-ECC memory
Check the motherboard documentation to determine what to install
Computers use one or two methods to detect memory
Parallel Presence Detect (PPD)
Serial Presence Detect (SPD)
Match the type of memory to the motherboard requirements
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

25. Memory Types Supported by the Motherboard
Read the documentation for your motherboard to determine what memory speed or speeds to use on your board
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

26. Memory Types Supported by the Motherboard
Types of memory modules used on motherboards:
72-pin SIMMs
DIMMs
184-pin DDR SDRAM
2.5V
Unbuffered
DDR400
RIMM Modules
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

27. Memory Types Supported by the Motherboard
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

28. Purchasing Memory Modules
Before purchasing memory, check your motherboard documentation to determine if you need proprietary memory
Proprietary memory typically costs more than memory purchased from a third-party company
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

29. Reading Ads for Memory Modules
Advertisements typically include information about the speed, the size, the type of module, and more
For DIMMS, the add might list the density of the module, which is written as two numbers separated by x
Density allows you to determine three important things about the memory module:
Width of the data bus
ECC or non-ECC
Module size
For Rambus memory, ads list the module size in MB
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

30. Reading Ads for Memory Modules
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

31. Determining the Quality of Memory Modules
Poor-quality memory chips can cause frequent application errors, errors that cause the system to freeze, and General Protection Fault (GPF) errors
Consider the following when shopping for memory chips:
Tin or Gold Leads
Remanufactured and Used Modules
Re-Marked Chips
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

32. Installing Memory Protect the chips against static electricity
Always use a ground bracelet as you work
Be sure you have written down CMOS settings, and make a recovery disk if you do not already have one
Turn off the computer and unplug it before you remove the cover
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

33. Installing Memory
Installing a SIMM module
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

34. Installing Memory
Installing a DIMM module
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

35. Installing Memory
After you placed each module securely in its slot, turn on your PC and watch POST count the amount of memory during the boot process, if possible
Check the total memory on the system in the System Properties window to make sure it reads all memory you have installed
Update your records with the new memory configuration in your computer
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

36. Troubleshooting Memory
Check that you have installed memory modules that are supported by your motherboard
Check that you have installed the right module size, as stated in the motherboard documentation
Remove and reinstall each module. Confirm that the memory modules are properly seated, and that each module sits in the socket at the same height as other modules
Remove the newly installed memory, place the memory in different sockets or slots, and check whether the error message disappears
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

37. Troubleshooting Memory
Try installing the new memory without the old installed. If the new memory works without the old, then the new and old modules are not compatible
Clean the module edge connectors with a soft cloth or contact cleaner. Blow or vacuum dust from the memory sockets
Try flashing your BIOS, using the steps outlined in Chapter 3. It is possible the BIOS has problems with the new memory that a BIOS upgrade can solve
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

38. Troubleshooting Memory
If you have recurring errors and have not just upgraded the memory, try the following:
Run a current version of antivirus software to check for viruses
The problem might be with the OS or applications. Download the latest patches for your operating system and application software from the manufacturers’ Web sites
If you have just installed new hardware, the hardware device might be causing an error, which the OS interprets as a memory error. Try uninstalling the new hardware
A Windows error that occurs randomly and generates an error message with exception fault 0E at >>0137:BFF9z5d0 or similar text is probably a memory error. Test, reseat, or replace RAM
Sometimes a problem can result from a bad socket or a broken trace (a fine printed wire or circuit) on the motherboard. Check the motherboard for visible problems. If you find an issue, you might have to replace the entire motherboard
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

39. Chapter Summary In this chapter, you learned:
About the different kinds of physical memory (RAM) used on the motherboard
About Windows memory management
How to upgrade memory modules
How to troubleshoot memory
Chapter 4: Managing Memory

40. Chapter 4 Complete