by Tim Canter

Created on: December 08, 2009   Last Updated: December 10, 2009

The following upgrade information is based upon a home desktop or stand up PC only. Do not attempt to upgrade a laptop or notebook utilizing this procedure. Severe damage may result.

  Upgrading your RAM is a very simple process to accomplish. Your RAM chip is actually several memory chips attached together on a slotted circuit board. The RAM chips are installed into sockets located on the motherboard. Memory chips are available in different configurations where each type is specific. As the evolution of computer systems advance, designers are designing system architecture's to prevent interchangeability between incompatible systems. For example, A DD2 Memory chip will not fit into a newer DD3 socket. 

  Procedure's to upgrade RAM is very simple and straight forward. First, determine how much RAM there is and how much of an increase can be achieved.  Some older systems have only  512 Mb. Where as recent system's are in the gigabyte. Finding the hardware information can be done a couple of way's. One way is looking in the "System Information" directory (see this method below), This is especially a good place to look if the computer was purchased from a private party. You never know if there are modifications made. An excellent source is the computer manufacture. In this way you may be able to learn what upgrade is available to the particular system.  The following is a method for upgrading the computer.

  Turn on your computer. Move the arrow  to the start button and click. This opens a menu where you will find the "Control Panel". Open the panel and go to the "Systems" icon and click this to open. This is where you will find the computer's basic information. On this page find the "Installed Memory" area. This is where you will find the amount of RAM your computer has, this can vary. Make a note, you will need to know this, if you cannot determine an upgrade from any other source, other than mentioned in this article. Close the system window /control panel and shut down the computer.

NOTE: Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, Toshiba, and other "O.E.M." computers require that memory upgrade part numbers be listed by the memory manufacturer as being for the specific model number or the upgrade will fail. High-end motherboards using dual channel DDR memory also require model specific memory.

NOTE: Below is an address for a website where you can find the correct part number for your exact system. You can always return to the system

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