G
Guest
how do i install more RAM
M
Mike Hall - MS MVP
Is this a $64000 question? Can I phone a friend?
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
amylicious23 said:
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
D
Dustin Harper
What kind of computer? There are several different types of RAM. You should
be able to find out what kind, order it and install it yourself. It's a very
simple upgrade. Just plug it into your motherboard, and it SHOULD just
recognize it and go.
Let us know what kind of computer, or you can go to Newegg.com, or
Crucial.com and run one of their memory configurators that they have. You
can tell them what computer you have, and it can tell you what kind of
memory you have in there.
be able to find out what kind, order it and install it yourself. It's a very
simple upgrade. Just plug it into your motherboard, and it SHOULD just
recognize it and go.
Let us know what kind of computer, or you can go to Newegg.com, or
Crucial.com and run one of their memory configurators that they have. You
can tell them what computer you have, and it can tell you what kind of
memory you have in there.
R
R. McCarty
Determine the following:
1.) Currently installed RAM and how many slots it uses
2.) Maximum RAM your motherboard supports
3.) Largest single sized memory module the motherboard supports
If the PC is an OEM, that information should be available on the
support website for your particular model.
There are hardware/software inventory tools, such as Belarc advisor
that can help obtain technical information about your PC:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Both Crucial and Kingston have on-line databases where you can
look up your PC and determine available updates & prices.
Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/
Kingston: http://www.kingston.com/
1.) Currently installed RAM and how many slots it uses
2.) Maximum RAM your motherboard supports
3.) Largest single sized memory module the motherboard supports
If the PC is an OEM, that information should be available on the
support website for your particular model.
There are hardware/software inventory tools, such as Belarc advisor
that can help obtain technical information about your PC:
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
Both Crucial and Kingston have on-line databases where you can
look up your PC and determine available updates & prices.
Crucial: http://www.crucial.com/
Kingston: http://www.kingston.com/
R
ray
Open up the case, locate the memory slots and stick it in.
A
Adam Albright
Exactly the kind of smartass response I was talking about. Did it
every occur to a numbnut like you that there are probably tens of
millions of users that have never opened their computer's case let
along added memory, switched a power supply or added a hard drive,
just maybe because they didn't know how or might have been a little
worried about trying?
Memory comes in many flavors. Check your manual and see what type and
how much your particular computer accepts. Memory is sold in what is
commonly called sticks. It is very easy to install more memory. Once
your case is open, you'll see typically 2-4 slots where the memory
already in your computer is loaded. The usual space is below the CPU
or biggest chip on the board. There are usually little spring loaded
clamps on either side of the memory slots. To install more, if not
already down, push the little clamps down towards the motherboard,
then carefully insert the memory (it only fits one way) then push the
clips on both sides in towards the memory card until they grip
tightly. You may need to gentlye wiggle the memory into place, do not
force. Use firm, steady pressure, not brute strength. Make sure the
memory is firmly seated in the sockets from end to end. Reboot and you
should immediate see if or not your were successfully by the BIOS
reporting the correct amount of RAM.
M
Mike Hall - MS MVP
Do you need help too? you have only to ask..
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
Adam Albright said:
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
A
Adam Albright
You help, you mean when you stop stroking your bloated ego you
actually help somebody?
ROTFLMAO!
R
Razzle Fratz
Probably the safest response is:
Take the computer to a trusted computer shop and pay them to upgrade your
RAM for you. It is a simple process that can really foul up your system if
you do it poorly.
Take the computer to a trusted computer shop and pay them to upgrade your
RAM for you. It is a simple process that can really foul up your system if
you do it poorly.
M
Mike Hall - MS MVP
Adam, you are the one with bloated ego, and a strong desire to mock at the
first available opportunity.. good luck to you..
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
first available opportunity.. good luck to you..
Adam Albright said:
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
N
news.microsoft.com
Mike Hall - MS MVP skrev:
Get lost, moron. That's no't an amswer, thats two Q.
Get lost, moron. That's no't an amswer, thats two Q.
M
Mike Hall - MS MVP
Not much gets by you, eh.. 
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
news.microsoft.com said:
--
Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/
B
Bruce Chambers
amylicious23 said:
By very carefully following the instructions provided by the computer's
manufacturer. Check the manual that came with the computer.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety
deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell
G
Guest
Hi Bruce,
I am new to this forum, have read this thread, but am still a little
confused. I was wondering if you might be able to assist. I built an Intel
dual core machine to run Vista Ultimate (32 bit), and originally installed
2GB of Corsair dual channel RAM. I just plugged an additional 2GB into the
system and see that Windows recognizes 2687 MB, while the BIOS recognizes the
full 4GB.
As far as Vista is concerned, it would appear that I have wasted my time and
money on at least 1GB or RAM. I have a second Vista Ultimate system also with
2GB of RAM and am thinking of removing one of the 1GB sticks and putting it
into that machine, giving both systems 3GB. As you seem to be one in the
know, does this sound like a good idea to you? I would like my production
system to fully utilize the full 4GB, but that doesn't look like it is going
to happen - unless MS intends to address the problem with a patch at some
point in the future. A bit long winded here - sorry. Thanks in advance for
any further direction you may be able to provide.
Cheers,
Alan
I am new to this forum, have read this thread, but am still a little
confused. I was wondering if you might be able to assist. I built an Intel
dual core machine to run Vista Ultimate (32 bit), and originally installed
2GB of Corsair dual channel RAM. I just plugged an additional 2GB into the
system and see that Windows recognizes 2687 MB, while the BIOS recognizes the
full 4GB.
As far as Vista is concerned, it would appear that I have wasted my time and
money on at least 1GB or RAM. I have a second Vista Ultimate system also with
2GB of RAM and am thinking of removing one of the 1GB sticks and putting it
into that machine, giving both systems 3GB. As you seem to be one in the
know, does this sound like a good idea to you? I would like my production
system to fully utilize the full 4GB, but that doesn't look like it is going
to happen - unless MS intends to address the problem with a patch at some
point in the future. A bit long winded here - sorry. Thanks in advance for
any further direction you may be able to provide.
Cheers,
Alan
J
JH
The short answer is the only way you'll ever be able to see all 4 GB of RAM
is if you install the 64 bit version of Vista.
32 bit architecture has a 4 GB memory limitation. However, your video card,
sound card, and basically all other devices needs to be addressed memory
space within that 4 GB. That means that you can never use the full 4 GB in
a 32 bit system. It isn't something MS can patch.
As long as you have a 64 bit CPU (any Athlon 64/X2 or Core 2 Duo is 64 bit
capable) you should just install the 64 bit version of Ultimate. The 64 bit
driver support situation has improved dramatically, and I had no issues
switching from 32 bit to 64 bit a month ago. It's also more stable and
secure.
I'd advise against moving one of your 1 GB sticks into the other PC. The
reason is because on almost any recent motherboard, RAM that is installed in
pairs will run in dual channel mode, which doubles the bandwidth and has
somewhat of an impact on performance. If you run both PCs with 3 GB of RAM
(assuming you're using 3x1 GB) you will reduce performance because they will
run in single channel mode.
is if you install the 64 bit version of Vista.
32 bit architecture has a 4 GB memory limitation. However, your video card,
sound card, and basically all other devices needs to be addressed memory
space within that 4 GB. That means that you can never use the full 4 GB in
a 32 bit system. It isn't something MS can patch.
As long as you have a 64 bit CPU (any Athlon 64/X2 or Core 2 Duo is 64 bit
capable) you should just install the 64 bit version of Ultimate. The 64 bit
driver support situation has improved dramatically, and I had no issues
switching from 32 bit to 64 bit a month ago. It's also more stable and
secure.
I'd advise against moving one of your 1 GB sticks into the other PC. The
reason is because on almost any recent motherboard, RAM that is installed in
pairs will run in dual channel mode, which doubles the bandwidth and has
somewhat of an impact on performance. If you run both PCs with 3 GB of RAM
(assuming you're using 3x1 GB) you will reduce performance because they will
run in single channel mode.
K
Ken Blake, MVP
I'm not Bruce, but if he doesn't mind my jumping in, here's the
situation:
32-bit Windows can use up to 4GB. However the 4GB address space has to
be shared with memory used for other devices. So Windows (not just
Vista but all 32-bit versions) can't use that entire 4GB of space for
itself.
How much it can use is around 3GB, but depends on what devices are
installed. It's normally a little more than 3GB. So installing more
than about 3GB of RAM is usually a waste of money.
So moving 1GB to a second computer (if the RAM is compatible with it)
is a very good idea.
And no there's nothing to patch. The problem is built into the
architecture of the system, and it doesn't matter what operating
system is running.
T
Tiberius
this is not totally correct...
servers that are 32 bit do support and see more than 4 gb of ram.
but they do that using a trick and addressing chunks of 4gb ram each time
called PAE
They did not want to use this same trick on home computers,
for reasons that could be explained by marketing.
For example see this that shows that a 32 bit OS can support 32 gigs of ram
with the addition of what is called a PAE parameter.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition is aimed towards medium to large
businesses. It is a full-function server operating system that supports up
to eight processors and provides enterprise-class features such as
eight-node clustering using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) software and
support for up to 32 GB of memory with addition of the PAE parameter in the
initialization file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003
so there is a way around this and it has been used for many years, but it is
not the best way.. the best way is indeed 64 bit
servers that are 32 bit do support and see more than 4 gb of ram.
but they do that using a trick and addressing chunks of 4gb ram each time
called PAE
They did not want to use this same trick on home computers,
for reasons that could be explained by marketing.
For example see this that shows that a 32 bit OS can support 32 gigs of ram
with the addition of what is called a PAE parameter.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition is aimed towards medium to large
businesses. It is a full-function server operating system that supports up
to eight processors and provides enterprise-class features such as
eight-node clustering using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) software and
support for up to 32 GB of memory with addition of the PAE parameter in the
initialization file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003
so there is a way around this and it has been used for many years, but it is
not the best way.. the best way is indeed 64 bit
T
Tiberius
And no there's nothing to patch. The problem is built into the
this is not totally correct... here I go again educating the MVPs and
Vistaboys...
servers that are 32 bit do support and see more than 4 gb of ram.
but they do that using a trick and addressing chunks of 4gb ram each time
called PAE
They did not want to use this same trick on home computers,
for reasons that could be explained by marketing.
For example see this that shows that a 32 bit OS can support 32 gigs of ram
with the addition of what is called a PAE parameter.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition is aimed towards medium to large
businesses. It is a full-function server operating system that supports up
to eight processors and provides enterprise-class features such as
eight-node clustering using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) software and
support for up to 32 GB of memory with addition of the PAE parameter in the
initialization file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003
so there is a way around this and it has been used for many years, but it is
not the best way.. the best way is indeed 64 bit
this is not totally correct... here I go again educating the MVPs and
Vistaboys...
servers that are 32 bit do support and see more than 4 gb of ram.
but they do that using a trick and addressing chunks of 4gb ram each time
called PAE
They did not want to use this same trick on home computers,
for reasons that could be explained by marketing.
For example see this that shows that a 32 bit OS can support 32 gigs of ram
with the addition of what is called a PAE parameter.
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition is aimed towards medium to large
businesses. It is a full-function server operating system that supports up
to eight processors and provides enterprise-class features such as
eight-node clustering using Microsoft Cluster Server (MSCS) software and
support for up to 32 GB of memory with addition of the PAE parameter in the
initialization file.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Server_2003
so there is a way around this and it has been used for many years, but it is
not the best way.. the best way is indeed 64 bit
C
Cal Bear '66
JH is right about the need to have matching pairs of RAM in dual channel setups.
If he wants to use 3GB of RAM, he should use 2 matching pairs of 512 MB not one
stick of 1GB.
If he wants to use 3GB of RAM, he should use 2 matching pairs of 512 MB not one
stick of 1GB.
R
Robert Moir
Tiberius said:
Could be explained by giant snowcone aliens from the planet zracdfu too, but
it maybe wouldn't be correct then.
Seriously, I don't think marketing is the story here. At best it might be
part of the story, though as Microsoft don't charge more for a 64 bit
version of the same OS, I'm not sure how that helps marketing.
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/pae_os.mspx#EID
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/system/platform/server/PAE/PAEdrv.mspx#E2D
In fact, it appears that Microsoft have turned off the ability to use
extended memory support via PAE in Vista, if not XP SP2 as well, probably
because of the issues mentioned above; while you can be sure that a properly
built server platform can cope with these issues by using decent hardware,
you can't say the same about some of the awful dogs pretending to be desktop
hardware out there.