PC memory upgrade
 

I'm going to install a couple of new cards, can I just take the old one out and plug in the new ones without losing anything?
Should I be concerned about static? Some, any a bunch?

With static, you are probably OK with just making sure one hand is always touching a solid point on the case, assuming your feet are on the ground...otherwise, provided your computer isn't too finicky about the brand of the RAM (most aren't, some are), it's just plug and play!

In PC's, memory upgrades are fairly straightforward, but there are traps and pitfalls. The PC memory that is typically found on the motherboard is volatile, so there's nothing in them when power is off.

Yes, you should be cognizant of static electricity issues and take precautions, like using the anti static bags, discharging any potential built up charges, etc.

Be sure you have compatible memory. Not just the physical ability to plug it into the slot, but also whether it's the right buss speed for your computer, whether it's ECC (which is generally for servers) ram, and whether your computer's BIOS wants to see "matched pairs" of memory. Most memory sales websites will show you what spec ram you need for a particular brand.

Thanks folks, I did some research on how much this thing can handle (doubled) and maxed it out. The new cards came in anti-static bags and I grounded myself by touching the door knob, no history of static, but it's that time of year.
Runs fine and fast where I expected it to.
Another question now that the side is off, what is that card (printed circuit board) plugged into the rear metal box and side white slot?
It seems I have the capability to add something, but know very little about these things.
Any help is appreciated.

The White slots are PCI, the Black are PCIe.
PCI slots are pretty general, you'd have to look at your documentation to see the specs for the PCIe to determine what can be added. They can be x1, x10 ...
Different devices require different x?.

Can't tell what the card that is in there is for, what connector is on the back.
Guess would be a Modem, could be NIC but they are usually integrated.

If you don't need a Modem you can remove it. (POWER OFF).
Probably should remove any drivers FIRST too, although not a critical step.

Thanks, I think I'll just leave it alone.

The card in the PCI slot appears to be a modem. For the PCI-E x16 slot (long black one), you can get yourself a mack daddy video card if you're into gaming or watching movies/videos on your computer.

Also, which operating system do you have? If it's XP home or even pro and it's not 64 bit, you may find that you've put more memory in than the system can address. Go to the "My Computer" icon, right click on it, choose "Properties" and note the memory shown at the bottom. You may be surprised to see that it shows less than what you installed.

Thanks again, I do have an external modem, but don't want to remove anything. I don't watch movies (tv is much better for that, right now) or game, at least not yet.
This is an XP home version, don't know the bit rate and the info does confuse me, I put in two 1 gb ddr667 dimm cards, it says 896MB of RAM.

Something is wrong you should show 2gig.

Go to Control Panel, System

If it only reads 896, reboot and watch the boot screen, how much memory is indicated durring the boot process.

If the boot only shows one gig.
1).verify the board supports 2 gig (if it has PCIe I'd bet on it)
2). Power off and gently verify you have them both in correct and tight.

Here is a Control panel, System I have 1gig on this laptop

I only know how to reboot the computer vs. any particular section. I did so and have the same results. I can tell it is faster than it used to be.
After searching the web about my system, (eMachine T5212) I understand 2 GB is what it'll take.
I'll make sure they are in tight.

Hmm... first thing I do when I'm putting RAM in a machine is go to c r u c i a l . c o m. They've got an an easy to use interface and excellent information on how many slots, type of RAM and how much it will hold for your type of machine.

1GB is good, 2GB is better. #2 suggestion is gently reseat your RAM with the power off - preferably power cord unplugged.

Once you've reseated your RAM, boot it up and go into the BIOS as suggested and see how much memory it sees. If BIOS don't see it, Windows wont either.

Many computers have a built-in video card which uses shared memory for video card memory. This is probably where some of your RAM is going. Not 1GB though I'd think.

Great feedback from the everyone on this issue.:D

Info from crucial for eMachine T5212:
Two memory slots. Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.
* Module Size: 1GB
* Package: 240-pin DIMM
* Feature: DDR2 PC2-5300

It is entirely possible that only one stick of memory is showing although it would show only 896 if the board reserved 128MB of memory for the onboard video. But then again it means that one stick is showing. Are you sure it's a 1GB per stick and not a 1GB "kit" which is often misleading on the labels even though it shows 1GB it's a 2 x 512 set.

When you reboot, watch the things that list out before windows starts.
Somewhere it should show how much memory the board sees.
It will be quick so watch carefully.
If it doesn't list it during boot, you may need to get someone to help you get into the BIOS. Usually press DEL during the Boot process, you can go through there and see a bunch of things. If you are afraid don't worry, very carefully when you exit it will ask if you want to save changes, or leave without saving changes just don't save.

Where does it say you are getting 896, with 2gig it should read 1896meg the remainder is probably going to the video card.

Try Start -> Control Panel -> System -> General tab it should look like what I posted earlier.

What's your model laptop?

Don't be afraid to really push the RAM in. Seating ram into the sockets is a pain in the butt, but it really takes a lot force to get them in.

When your computer is first booting up and before it goes into Windows there are a number of things you can do.

You can watch for memory recognition as suggested. Hit the PAUSE key should freeze the computer until a key is pressed.

Depending on machine, certain keystrokes will get you into the BIOS. As suggested, most often DEL key.

F8 after BIOS and before Windows boot will (or should) bring up Windows Boot Menu. I believe it's F8 on WinXP.