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How to Upgrade Your Computer's RAM

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(123 Ratings)

To increase the random-access memory (RAM) of your computer, you must know the type of RAM it uses, how the RAM is presently configured and how many open RAM slots are available.

Difficulty: Challenging
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Computers Memory
  1. Step 1

    Check the owner's manual or motherboard manual to determine if RAM is parity or non-parity. The website of the company you purchased the computer from usually will tell you what kind of memory your computer needs as well.

  2. Step 2

    Find out the speed of RAM (for example, 60 nanoseconds).

  3. Step 3

    Determine whether the computer uses single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) or dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs).

  4. Step 4

    Find out whether the computer uses regular, FPM, EDO, or Synch DRAM.

  5. Step 5

    Determine the number of pins on the motherboard: 30, 72 or 168.

  6. Step 6

    Remove the cover from the machine to find the number of open RAM slots. Look for between two and eight same-sized parallel sockets on the main circuit board. Usually at least two of those sockets will contain RAM - ruler-shaped circuit boards with chips on one or both sides.

  7. Step 7

    Purchase additional RAM that matches existing memory specifications.

  8. Step 8

    See the Related eHow "How to Install RAM" to learn how to put in RAM yourself; you can also get it installed (recommended if you don't feel comfortable opening up your computer case).

Tips & Warnings
  • You usually have to install SIMMs in pairs.
  • If you don't know how much RAM you have installed currently, check your My Computer properties in Windows or choose About This Macintosh from the Apple menu.

Comments  

upadesh said

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on 6/16/2009 I agree with above comment. I got same sort of problem.

http://upadeshs.com.np

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on 6/2/2009 Here is Some More tips on Increase Your Ram And So System Speedhttp://techtonicsinfo.blogspot.com/2008/10/increase-your-ram-and-so-system-speed.html

1steamer said

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on 5/20/2009 I found on craigs list a few experienced guys that work for 30dollars hr. I f you ask there ex. you may want to let them do work but think about video card or sound card and rom and let them do all at once and get you moneys worth. Installing ram or rom takes little time same as sound card so if not sure check them out for experience and let them install all in a hour then itis well worth hiring. steamer

rofl said

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on 12/18/2008 Also you have to know if you add a new memory in the computer you have to know if the processor that you have can whitstand that much memory if not then the computer will crash and won't work... so you have to check the processor how much capacity is avaible for memory use...

Sincerly: a helpful friend...

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Sometimes, adding RAM can result in your computer not loading if the wrong kind of RAM is installed. Even though you remove that new RAM and return your system to how it was before, it could still cause problems, so be careful.

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