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Memory
installation is a pretty easy upgrade to perform. Most of the work, if
you could call it that, comes before you actually do the upgrade - in
being sure you get the right kind of memory for your system.
SIMMs (EDO)
First some info, though. Your computer, if it uses 30-pin or 72-pin
SIMMs, organizes its SIMM sockets into groups called banks. Some boards
say that two sockets make a bank. Some say that one is a bank.
Nevertheless, a bank must be full. A half full bank will drive your
computer nuts. Also, you can't mix two different kinds of memory in a
single bank. For example, you can't put a 4MB SIMM and an 8MB SIMM in
one bank and expect to get 12 MB of RAM. Also, many systems require you
to put the memory in in pairs.
Therefore, if you want 32 megs of RAM, you have to stick 2 16's in
instead of one 32.
Here's a shortcut which is almost always true. An older computer with a
386 or an early 486 chip usually has a 4 socket bank of 30-pin SIMM
modules. A later model 486 requires only one socket of 72-pin modules.
Pentium machines have two socket banks of 72 pin modules, meaning you
must install RAM in pairs. In all of these systems, the bank must be
full for your system to operate. Following these guidelines, lets say
you want to add 16 meg of RAM to your Pentium machine. You could buy
one 16MB SIMM, but this won't
work because you will have a partially filled bank. You must buy two
8MB SIMMS instead, and install them in a pair.
1. Turn off the computer, unplug it, and take off the case cover.
2. Locate the memory slots.
3.
Remove the old memory (if applicable). This will entail loosening the
little retainer springs on each end of the memory socket until the
memory stick can be removed.
4.
Install the RAM. To do this, first locate the little notch on the
pin-side of the module. This notch will line up with a notch on the
memory socket itself, to ensure proper alignment. Position the module
over the slot at a 45-degree angle with the module pins in the slot.
Gently rotate the SIMM until it is in an upright position. When it is
in an upright position, the retainer springs will snap into place and
secure the SIMM.
5. Repeat previous step for all remaining SIMMs you wish to install.
6. Test it. Before you put your case back on, power on your system and make sure it correctly tallies the RAM.
7. Close up the case.
DIMMs (SDRAM, DDR-DRAM)
Now,
we can all thank God that SDRAM and DDR came out, or we'd all have to
decipher all that bank stuff in order to upgrade memory. DIMMs are much
simpler. Most motherboards have the 168-pin slots for SDRAM or 184-pin
slots for DDR-DRAM. Each DIMM slot is a bank, so one can install these
types of memory in any combination they want. It is best, if you have
several open DIMM slots, to use the lowest number slots first. The
slots are numbered, such as DIMM 0, DIMM 1, and DIMM 2. Choose the
lesser, unused number. If this is the only module in the system, use
DIMM 0. Some older motherboards have both SIMM and DIMM slots. On
these, each DIMM slot is a bank, just like normal. The SIMM slots right
next to them are usually paired in a bank, just like the normal Pentium
bank setup.
1. Turn off the computer, unplug it, and take off the case cover.
2. Locate the memory slots.
3.
Remove the old memory (if applicable). This will entail pressing down
on the little ejector clips on each end of the memory socket until the
memory stick pops out of the socket. Then you just life it out.
4.
Install the RAM. To do this, first locate the little notches on the
pin-side of the module. These notches (usually two) will line up with
keys on the memory socket itself, to ensure proper alignment. With the
ejector clips in the open position, position the module over the slot
and begin pressing the module down into the slot. You will need to
press down pretty hard. As you press down, the module will sink into
place and the ejector clips will close themselves
to lock the module into place.
5. Repeat previous step for all remaining DIMMs you wish to install.
6. Test it. Before you put your case back on, power on your system and make sure it correctly tallies the RAM.
7. Close up the case.
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Computer Memory Selector
