From Store to Install
Jun 05 '00
Upgrading your memory does not have to be an intimidating process. Whether you are an Information Technology specialist who has just never had to work with the insides of a computer before or you are Harry Homeowner who can't figure out the purpose of all of these newfangled computer gadgets, you don't have to sweat putting in some more memory under your computer's hood.
First thing's first. Memory has nothing to do with how much stuff your computer can hold. "Memory" is the card or cards that your computer uses to store things that it needs to remember while turned on. Its what the computer uses to keep track of what it is doing so it doesnt end up with a fatal case of deja vu.
You have two choices of what you would like to do at this point. You can either have a trained professional install your memory in your computer and charge you an arm and a leg or you can learn to do it yourself. If you want to do the latter, skip the rest of this paragraph and begin with step one. If you want to have a professional install the memory, find a local big-name computer store like Best Buy or CompUSA and find the computer upgrade center. There they will install your memory for you. You can now skip past all of the installation stuff to read my pointers at the end of this article.
Step One: Determine what is in your computer currently.
When you turn your computer on, if you pay attention to all of the stuf that your computer spits out on its way to windows, you will usually have a display that looks like a box and says what your hard drives are and the title of the computer setup you have. Also in that box will be something about "PC Bank" or "Mem Bank" followed by a number, a colon, and some cryptic stuff that tells us technogeeks exactly what type of memory and card you have. Write that line of cryptic junk down on a piece of paper and move on to step two. Also, if you know you already have 256MB of memory in your computer, unless you have professional, specialized, high stress use for the machine, you do not need to upgrade as it could be difficult or impossible depending on what Operating System you are using.
Step Two: Figure out who sells memory.
Most big-name computer stores like Best Buy, CompUSA, and such chain stores will sell individual cards of memory and install them for you. SInce you want to save the money and do it yourself, grab the nearest sales associate and have them help you find the correct card of memory befitting the size of the upgrade you want and the cryptic stuff on the paper. Check and see if there are different brands and read the packaging. Most memory will have a listing of what general operating systems and computer types the memory will fit.
Step Three: Opening your computer and locating the memory banks.
Ok, return home. You now need to get your computer and open it up in order to find out where to install the memory. If you have trouble removing the case, perhaps you should grab a local guru to render you some assistance. Take the card that you bought at the store and look into your computer. Into that big, complicated, fancy-looking green plate there should be a card or two that looks roughly the same as the memory you bought and there should be a free slot for you to put your new memory in. If you have no free slots, you may need to just return the memory you have or have a professional install it so that he can determine which card to remove in order to install your memory.
Step Four: Physically installing your new card.
Now that you have located the memory bank, you need to carefully but firmly press the card with the little metal connector pin-plates pointing at that fancy plate into that slot. DO NOT FORCE IT. If it does not install correctly, you may need to switch the direction that your card is pointing or you may need to manipulate some plastic tabs at either end of the memory slot. Again if you are having trouble, have a friend who knows about this come over and give you some help.
Step Five: Clean Up.
Now that the memory has been physically installed, you can close the case back up and put the screws back into the holes from which they came. Have patience, some cases can be very annoying. YOu might want to go leap in the shower considering how much dust is in most computers.
For those who install themselves or who have a professional install for them, I have included some pointers:
Shop around, don't just go to one store, look at one selection, talk to one guy and assume that that is all there is.
Be careful, if you are working with your comptuer the last thing you want to do is break something. Likewise, if you are taking your computer to be worked on the last thing you want to do is trust it to an unskilled person. Be attentive.
Memory can help speed up your computer. In some cases, upgrading your memory can make your computer more efficient so dont be surprised if your computer speeds up some.
Your computer is an investment, treat it that way. If installing new memory is more costly or troublesome than it is worth, maybe you should consider buying a whole new machine.
I hope that this editorial has been helpful to you and if you encounter any problems with this procedure or just have general questions, email me at wfrazee@hotmail.com
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Member: Wayne Frazee
Location: Panama City Beach, FL
Reviews written: 100
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About Me:
I am an IT Manager for a game development company in Panama City Beach, FL.
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