How To Upgrade your RAM

The technological age has come and has taken over everything. We have advanced machines doing much of our daily tasks and have fulfilled every need, from washing our laundry to making our work processes easier. Technology has not only made our life easier but it has made us more efficient, so we should at least pitch in to maintain its efficiency.

Of all the technology that we have, the one that stands out the most in terms of use is our personal computer. Keeping it up to date is extremely important since other technologies that enhance its processes would not work as efficiently if the main component were out of date. One good place to start in upgrading and maintaining your personal computer is the RAM or Random Access Memory.

A RAM is computer hardware that serves as a location where temporary and random data can be recorded. All data and application programs that you use on the computer are stored here. Storing data in the RAM is essential because information can be retrieved much quicker than retrieving information from the hard drive, CD ROM or any other storage device. Upgrading your RAM is the easiest way to boost a lagging computer. New programs that are developed usually require more storage space so adding more RAM is a good idea to help your personal computer keep up with the heavy work load.

So what do you need to do to upgrade your RAM?
First, determine if you need to upgrade your RAM by going to the Windows Task Manager. Under the performance tab, see if the figure next to Physical Memory- Available/Free is near zero. If so, it means that you need to upgrade.

Next, determine how much RAM you will need. If most of your activities on the computer use images and the like, upgrading to 1 GB is safe. If you engage in video editing or handling large files such as digital videos and high resolution pictures, upgrading to 2GB is enough to keep up with the demands of those applications.

Look for your computer’s manual to find out the following: the speed of your RAM, the number of pins on the motherboard, the kind of modules your computer operates on ­ whether single in-line memory modules (SIMMS) or dual in-line memory modules (DIMMS), and whether it uses regular, Synch DRAM, EDO or FPM.

Once you’ve determined how much storage you need, you can go to your computer supply store and purchase a RAM. Buy new RAM that matches the specifications of your computer.

To install your new RAM, open up your computer and locate your old RAM. Release the RAM from its current position by releasing the latches. Place the new RAM and make sure that it is aligned. You will know that it is correctly positioned once you feel it click into place.

To check if the RAM is working, turn on the computer. If your computer doesn’t work properly, recheck if the new RAM is plugged in correctly into the computer. If your computer still doesn’t work, try consulting an IT professional regarding your RAM and its installation.