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    Installing/upgrading RAM

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jd1655, Jun 11, 2007.

  1. jd1655

    jd1655 Notebook Enthusiast

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    From what I've been reading, it is relatively easy to buy additional RAM for a laptop and install it yourself.

    I've got an older 512 that could use some help, and I am debating buying 1 or 2 GB on a new laptop. If it was easy and cheap to install, I'd save the csh onthe 2GB and do it myself.

    Question: If I try to do this, will I wreck my computer because I have no experience inside these machines? The guys at the local computer shop will no doubt want $75 or more to put it in for me...
     
    jd1655, Jun 11, 2007
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  2. R4000

    R4000 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Many laptops have an access door on the underside to put in the ram. What is your make & model?
     
    R4000, Jun 11, 2007
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  3. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    Sirius_GTO, Jun 11, 2007
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  4. jd1655

    jd1655 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I do have the access door at the bottom of my Presario 2100. I've opene it up and had a look. I'm thinking I pop out the older RAM and pop in the new parts. But I never removed these components before and wonder if there is much that can go wrong.

    I'm going to look at the provided link and a few others. But basically looking for a basic idea on the level of complexity of the RAM switch/upgrade.
     
    jd1655, Jun 12, 2007
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  5. Sirius_GTO

    Sirius_GTO Notebook Deity

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    Not much can go wrong, just make sure you ground yourself and use the tools properly (screwdriver basically). Don't touch the screwdriver to anything metal on the board besides the screw itself.

    When installing the ram, make sure you're installing it at about a 35-45 degree angle and firmly push it.

    Read the guide, the principle is the same. Good luck!!!
     
    Sirius_GTO, Jun 12, 2007
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  6. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Like Sirius_GTO has mentioned installing RAM is very easy, and it can provide a good performance boost, where alot more programs are becomming RAM dependant. The guide that has been linked is an excellent illustration on how to complete the procedure of chaging RAM. If you follow it, its difficult to go wrong.
     
    Zero, Jun 12, 2007
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  7. jd1655

    jd1655 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Excellent guide, excellent comments. Thanks
     
    jd1655, Jun 13, 2007
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  8. DDDDD

    DDDDD Notebook Guru

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    hey, the notebook im ordering is comming with a 1 x 2gb stick of ram.

    i've heard vista 32mbit can get up to 3.5gb out of 4 gb...

    ..is it possible to just buy an extra 1gb stick and whack in on there to ge 3gb? what are the things to look out for...like do they have to have the exact specs /brand..etc

    thanks!
     
    DDDDD, Jun 14, 2007
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  9. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    I've personally had no problems mixing different RAM modules. However, few days ago a forum member had a problem of a single-sided RAM module not working with a double-sided module (all my modules are double-sided), so maybe that is something to watch out for.

    It seems that Vista can benefit from more RAM, so putting in the extra 1GB is probably worthwhile.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Jun 14, 2007
    #9