How to Install RAM in your PC

Posted on 26. May, 2009 by JP.Thompson in How To

Step 1: Pick Out the RAM

The first step is to find out what type of RAM your PC uses and pick how much you want to upgrade to. The easiest way to do this is to run the Crucial System Scanner tool for Windows XP or Windows Vista, which will analyze your PC, tell you what kind of RAM it supports, and recommend an upgrade. Newegg.com also has a Memory Configurator System Tool that will recommend various brands of memory.

If the tools from Crucial and Newegg don’t work or you don’t believe the results, then here are the manual steps for picking your memory:

Check your PC or motherboard manual to see how much memory your PC will support and what type of memory can be installed. For instance, your manual may say that your PC supports a maximum of 4 gigabytes of DDR PC2700 RAM. If you don’t already have that much RAM installed, then you will be able to upgrade. Also, some PC or motherboard manufacturers recommend a certain brand of memory (like OCZ, Patriot, Samsung, etc.), so make sure to note that.
Once you decide how much RAM you want, you will need to open up your PC case to see what is actually installed. If you already have 1 gigabyte of memory installed, there could actually be two 512 megabyte modules in your PC (instead of just one 1 gigabyte module.) If you don’t have any empty memory slots, then you will have to replace the old modules with newer and larger RAM modules.

Note: The normal 32 bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista only support a maximum of 4 gigabytes of RAM. The 64 bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista can support much more RAM, but may not be as compatible with the programs and hardware you use.

Step 2: Purchase the RAM

After you know how much RAM you need and what type, you need to purchase it. I recommend that you check out my recent post,How To Find the Best Gadget Deals Online, to find the best price on the RAM you are looking for. If just want to buy the RAM without agonizing over the price, I recommend the online retailers Newegg or ZipZoomFly.

Once you find retailer, purchase the RAM. If no supplier or brand is recommended for your PC, then OCZ, Patriot, and GSkill are good brands. You might also want to read the reviews on the RAM you have picked out to make sure that other likeminded souls haven’t had issues.

Step 3: Install the RAM

Once you get the RAM in hand, it is time to install it. A good thing to do is to first read your PC or motherboard manual to get the manufacturer’s recommended steps for installation.

Barring any nuances that your PC might have, here is the play-by-play for installing your new RAM:

1. Check to see how much RAM that the Windows Task Manager shows is installed. You can bring up the Task Manager by pressing the SHIFT, CTRL, and ESC keys at the same time. Click on the Performance tab, and write down the Total Physical Memory.

2. Turn off your PC by going to Start, and selecting “Shut Down.” Do not Restart, Sleep, or Hibernate, as the PC needs to be in a true shut down state.

3. Open up your PC case. Some PC cases have screws that have to be removed, and others just have latches that have to be unfastened.

4. Locate your current RAM. You may have to move some computer components out of the way first. Note how things were before you move them around. You may even want to take some pictures along the way in order to review.

5. Now, remove the old RAM if you don’t have any free memory slots. To do this, push down on the on the clips on each end of the RAM socket until the RAM module is loose.

6. Insert the new RAM. You will need to line up the notches in the RAM with the large bumps in the RAM socket. Press evenly and firmly near each end of the RAM until the clips latch onto the module.

7. Put your PC back together and turn the power on. You may see some BIOS messages noting that the RAM has changed. Don’t worry about the messages unless there is an error.

If for some reason your PC will not boot up, note any error messages and put the old RAM back in the PC. Search for the error(s) in the support sections on the web site of your PC or motherboard manufacturer. If you don’t find help on those web sites, search for the error message on Google to find out how to resolve the error on another web site.

8. Lastly, check the amount of RAM again in the Windows Task Manager.

Hopefully this post has helped you upgrade the RAM in your PC. Don’t hesitate to comment if you need further help or can suggest how to make this post better.

(By) JP Thompson also blogs at his own blog disRupTions. You can also find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Tags: diy, hardware, installation, memory, ram

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