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Originally Posted by Snowyowl
If I buy memory, am I buying additional memory or am I replacing the memory that's already in the computer.
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Could be either. Motherboards ususlly have 2, 3 or 4 slots for RAM and it dependes on what is installed and how many slots are already in use. For example if your board has 2 slots with 128Mb sticks of RAM in each you will have to go down the replace route. If you have 2 slots with 1 x 256Mb stick then you could just buy additional. If you open up the case you should be able to see how many slots you have and how many are free.
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Originally Posted by Snowyowl
Looking at online adds I seem to need to know how many pins I need. Presumably the shop will know that if I tell them the make and model computer?
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Shop assistant know what they're talking about
Must be different in Canada Dan. When you open up the case, take out the existing RAM and it usually will have a lable on it which tells you what sort it is - whether it is DDR or DDR2, probably DDR, number of pins 168/184 etc, speed either in Mhz 333/400 etc or as PC 2700/3200 (Mhz x 8 = PC ) and CL2.5/3 etc. You must match DDR type & number of pins (otherwise it wont go into your board) and usually CL as well. Speed - again try to match but if the new is faster your mother board will limit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowyowl
I can certainly afford to buy another 256 mb (assuming it is add-on and not replacement). Would that seem sufficient or do I need to go higher?
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It depends on your file sizes and the more RAM you've got the better things will work. My recommendation would be to aim for 1Gb of RAM if you can - in UK you can get 2 x 512 sticks for ~£50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Snowyowl
How tough is it to install? I've changed other components in computers without difficulty but this will be the first ime for memory.Thanks!
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Dead easy
There is usually just a clip at either end on the slot, flick them back, remove the old RAM (if necessary), line up the new sticks - they will only go in one way round - and press them down firmly. Often the clips will automatically click back, but if not ease them back. Reboot and your machine should fly.