January 16th, 2010 | 
Author: Speed up my PC Series – Part 3
Topics covered:
Memory Installation
Software Tools covered:
Computer Properties
In part 2 of Speed up my PC we discussed memory optimization. In part 3 we will look at the physical process of installing the memory.
1. Before we get started we need to check My Computer Properties to verify the amount of memory currently installed in your system. The easiest way to do this is by Right Clicking My Computer and selecting properties, noting the memory reported to the operating system. Top image Vista and Windows 7 Example, Lower Window XP.
2. Before opening up your PC, properly shut down your PC, disconnect all connected peripherals, printers, monitor, mice, network and/or modem connections, keyboards, and anything else connected to it. Unplug the system unit from the power source.
The number one rule for working on PC’s – BE STATIC FREE! Memory modules are among the most susceptible of all PC components to Electrostatic Discharge. Your memory modules come packaged in an environment to keep them protected from electrostatic discharge. Keep them in that environment until you are ready to install them.
Once the system unit is unplugged, push the power button, like you would to start the PC. I highly recommend this second step, as power supplies in PC’s contain components that store an electrical charge and by trying to start the PC while it is disconnected from its power source discharges these components.
NOTEBOOKS
Same basic rules but what may not be obvious is that to disconnect from the power source requires the additional step that you to remove the battery from the laptop. After the battery has been removed, like the PC, push the power button to completely discharge the power supply. Refer to your system documentation if you are unsure how to remove your laptop’s battery.
This installment in this series assumes that you have determined, and have obtained the correct memory modules for your system. In part 2 of this series I mentioned that different systems support differing types and amounts of memory. Refer to your system documentation for the type, speed and memory configuration your system supports. If that is not available the following are links to Memory Manufacturer’s configurators:
Crucial
Kingston
Corsair
PNY
Patriot
3. Open the PC and locate the memory sockets.
Before you touch anything, put on your antistatic wrist strap and clip the alligator clip to the metal chassis of the PC. I do not recommend connecting to the metal screw that fastens the 110V outlet face plate for three reasons. #1 – it presents some danger loosening the face plate of a 110V receipt cover, and it is hard to get a good ground from a loose screw. #2 – I have seen way too many 110V receptacles incorrectly wired to trust any of them. #3 – and most important to me, it is not as important that you be grounded as much as both you and the chassis are at the same electrical potential. You may be at ground potential but there is nothing to guarantee the chassis is.
NOTE: Antistatic wrist or ankle straps should NEVER be worn while working on higher voltage components, such as monitors and power-supply units.
DDR2 240 Pin PC Memory Sockets Shown below.
Note: 4 chips used in (2) banks, the banks are color coded, in this instance the first bank to be populated are the blue slots. Refer to your system documentation as configuration varies between manufacturers.
4. To remove or install press outward on the retaining clips,(white in the image left), for removal as you press the retainers’ outward the ram chip will be pushed out of the socket. If you are installing the chip you will notice the memory chip and socket are keyed. They will only go in one way so look before you try and force it.
Note: The slots, they will only fit one way in the socket. The chips on the left have integrated heat sinks – common in high performance memory.
Align the slot on chip with the socket, with the retaining clips spread apart, as you push the memory into place the retainer clips will snap into the side of the memory module. Insure they are fully seated. If they snap into place, they are installed properly.
5. Close the case, re-connect your system components and connect to your power source.
6. Start-up you PC. As it boots up, or POSTS (P)ower (O)n (S)elf (T)est, the System may come-up with an error stating the amount of memory has changed, hit F1 to continue, or go to Setup. What is happening is that the BIOS (B)asic (I)nput (O)utput (S)ettings recognized the additional memory and it is different than what was stored in the CMOS BIOS settings the last time the PC booted. You may safely hit F1; you shouldn’t see this message again, as the new values will be automatically written the BIOS memory.
7. Go back to Step 1 in this article and verify your operating system sees the newly installed memory.
NOTEBOOKS
Current notebooks use SO-DIMM or MICRO-DIMM – SO-DIMM comes in 72, 100,144,200, or 204 pins.
The 72 and 100 pin support 32bit transfers and the 144 – 204 support 64bit transfers.
MICRO-DIMM comes in 144 – 214 pin packages. The SO-DIMM, (lower left), and MICRO-DIMM, (lower right), packages are much smaller than standard DDR memory and memory expansion in laptops is usually limited to 1 or 2 sockets.
If you are planning on upgrading your notebook memory you will want to refer to its documentation, or locate the memory expansion area to verify how much memory, and how many slots are available for memory expansion. Notebook memory expansion can be located in one of two areas, under the keyboard or behind a compartment door on the backside of the notebook. The following example illustrates the most common location, under a compartment door on the bottom of the notebook. If yours is located under the keyboard, please review your documentation, as the procedures vary widely and the plastic bezels on many notebooks can be broken easily.
1. After removing the power adapter and battery from your notebook, and properly connecting your anti-static wrist strap. Turn the notebook over with it back facing up.
2. Locate the memory module compartment; refer to system documentation if available, usually the compartment is labeled memory, expansion, or M.
3. Using the appropriate driver, usually a small Phillips screwdriver, remove the captive screw from the cover exposing the memory expansion connector.
4. To remove an existing memory module, Use your fingertips to carefully spread apart the clips on each side of the connector. The module will pop up at you at a 45 deg angle.
To install, note the notch in the memory module and align it up with the notch in the connector. At a 45 degree angle firmly push the module into the connector and rotate the module down. The clips will click module into place. If it does not click into place remove the module, check the orientation and re-install.
5. Replace to memory cover of the back of the computer, re-install the battery, and connect to your AC adapter and plug into and electrical outlet.
6. Start-up you PC. As it boots up, or POSTS (P)ower (O)n (S)elf (T)est, the System may come-up with an error stating the amount of memory has changed, hit F1 to continue, or go to Setup. What is happening is that the BIOS (B)asic (I)nput (O)utput (S)ettings recognized the additional memory and it is different than what was stored in the CMOS BIOS settings the last time the PC booted.
You may safely hit F1; you shouldn’t see this message again, as the new values will be automatically written the BIOS memory.
7. Go back to Step 1 in this article and verify your operating system sees the newly installed memory.
This concludes part three of the series. In Part three of Speed up my PC, we examined the physical process of installing PC and Notebook memory. In Part four we continue the series, learning about how to identify and properly configure start up processes and the use of msconfig and task manager to identify and configure troublesome programs and processes.
Watch for Part 4 the last week of January 2010. Be sure to bookmark this site or subscribe to our RSS feed to keep up with the latest posts.
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