Probably a stupid question but anyways

S

soccerdude

New Member
Hi, I just got more ram for my laptop and I was wondering if anyone can tell me what I will be doing will be good because I will be installing my ram on the weekend.

Anyways this is what I think I should do to install my ram. I shut down my laptop, remove the battery, wait if my computer is still hot. Then when everything is cooled down, I open the cover where the ram is and I just slide it in my open slot. Then I make sure it is securely inserted I close the cover, I put my cover back on and then I put my battery in and my power cord and boot up my computer. I don't think I should be having problems. And by problems I mean my computer wont boot up and the only way I can fix it is to reinstall Windows. Right???
 
If you install new memory and you don't see Windows boot you don't reinstall Windows you remove a possibly bad dimm or mismatch of some type. If the memory is the same size as well as the same type you should notice an immediate improvement running programs. That's true when adding the same brand.
 
Your process would be fine, but a little overly precautious. Which, that's good... Better to be safe.

As long as the standards are fine, the RAM will work(IE PC3200 RAM and your laptop's compatable with DDR1, PC3200 or less...) However, there's still a minor chance the RAM could be bad. Just try to really use the memory before the return policy runs out ;) Make sure it's all correct.

As for reloading windows, there's no reason you'd have to. Even if the RAM's inserted wrong, is bad, the wrong kind, or anything, your computer should still work just fine once the RAM is removed.
 
That's the first time ever hearing of needing to reinstall Windows if you have bad or mismatched memory. I've heard where people reinstalled Windows and then found memory at fault. One way to insure the memory is good is to try it out by itself. On a laptop you would to prepare a memtest cd or other good utility to let run for awhile to see if anything comes up.

Usually a bad dimm will show fast there. Once nothing is found reinstall the old one to check to see if they will run together. But then memtest can be wrong at times just like other testers. On the last board memtest displayed some 573 errors on recently bought memory? The cpu or bios chip is what was actually failing there. The same memory now shows "0%" errors.
 
Don't worry about a bad stick. Just install the ram and if it works, then you have a working ram stick, if it doesnt, then its bad. But 98% of the time its good. What you said in your first post is correct, except you don't have to wait for it to cool down, unless you want to.
 
Maybe do things a wee bit different. I realize that you are being cautious, and I'm not saying throw caution to the wind here, but try this.

Don't worry about letting it cool down. Heat won't affect your surgery.
Get a clean, hard surface such as a desk or table.
Unplug the laptop
Remove the battery.
Remove the memory cover.
Place the memory in.
Replace the power plug.
Attempt to power it up. If it powers up, great. If it doesn't, reseat the RAM.
Power it up.
If it powers up, shut the computer down
Replace the memory cover
Replace the battery.

And finally, drop the laptop on the floor. If it still powers up after that you know you did a good job of seating the RAM. hahaha...




DON'T!!! I'm just kidding!!!! lol :D
 
Ok I installed the ram properly but now for some reason my laptop isn't reading it. Did I do something wrong? Do i have to do something in my bios? Or do I have to do something else? Someone reply please.

Thanks
 
I guess it depends on the model. Some older computers required you to go into the BIOS and accept the hardware changes.
 
I have no idea. How can I tell that over the internet? I don't even know what model you have, how old it is or anything.

Just make sure it is firmly seated in place first of all. That's most important. If the computer still doesn't detect it then get me a make and model and I'll see what I can do.
 
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