RAM Question...

I wondered if anyone out there could help me with a question I have about RAM size. I'm hooking up with the local jetstream people, which is like a broadband deal. Anyway, I'm all signed up and waiting for my `Starter Pack' and I double checked the PC specifications and I need "Above 64 MB". I've checked my specifications, and I have 63 .

This is probably a very silly question and ya'll know that I'm a bit dim witted when it comes to computer things - but how could I go about getting that extra MB?

Any help would be gratefully appreciated - .

 

well you haven't been able to buy just 1 Meg of RAM for a LONG time now. But you can buy a bit more. I'd recommend update your computer quite a bit. A SIMPLE RAM upgrade would speed your system up quite a bit. And its not very expensive either. I'm not sure if its any cheaper here, but I've gotta think it won't be that bad. You could buy a 256Mb stick of RAM and install it for very little. If you still have your manual and can find out what type of RAM you use then you'd easily be able to buy it and install it yourself. If you don't you'll have to take it to someone that can tell you what type of RAM you use and then if you go to that kinda trouble you should go ahead and let them install it. If they're gonna charge you to look you might as well get your full money's worth.

 

A stick of what? Awww crap - I hoped it would be easy and now I'm gonna have to unplug, move stuff and pay money . Okay - at least I know where to start - and thanks so much Brain for the useful advice and for pointing me in the right direction!

BTW - when you say it's `easy to install', do I have to open up the lid or anything - or can I just poke it through a slot somewhere? Imma gonna go find me booklet...then get a shot of scotch .

 

you sure you're talking ram and not disk space? 63Mb is a pretty odd amount of ram to have. how are you determining how much ram you have?

 

I'm following this from the Xtra website...

Follow these steps to check your PC's specifications: Left click on your 'start' menu

Choose 'settings'
Choose 'control panel'
Choose 'system' or 'system properties'
The 'general' screen will show you the type of chip you have and the amount of RAM available. Look at the table below to see if this is compatible with Xtra JetStream.
I don't really know what the difference is between RAM and disc space - I'm just going off what I read from my System Properties...Here's a screen shot from the Performance section. What do you reckon? *Crosses fingers*.

 

what operating system? i don't recognize it, but i'm not exactly mr windows. does it say anything under "general" in the system control panel? (as opposed to performance).

 

No it isn't. Go up to at least 128MB, Honey, unless you're running Windows 2000 or XP, then go up to at least 256MB.

 

It's probably allocated to another device so that's why you have 63 MBs...

 

1mb to onboard video?...could just be displaying wrong. I've had that happen before.

 

That is exactly what she has. Guys, I think you are all thinking of a modern machine here. How long has it been since even entry level machines were outfitted with just 64 MB of ram (and onboard video w/ 1MB system memory)? Pentium II days? Maybe a few of the original PIII's?

Honeygirl, darlin, how old is your computer? I'm guessing it's at least 5 years old and you are running Windows98 or maybe Windows ME.

You do need more ram, but you need to be careful what you buy because they haven't made the kind your system probably needs in years. I would advise buying a single 128 MB stick of PC100 or PC133. You can still find them online, and maybe even on Ebay for cheap.

Until I know more about your computer I would advise against buying a 256 MB stick because the older motherboards MCH could not address or page the 32MB density chips those sticks used. In short, you could put it in, but it wouldn't work.

HG, there is a nice small, FREE utility program called AIDA32 that you can download off the web. Its only purpose is to summarize everything about your system. I suggest you get it and run it, and we can go from there.

Download Aida32 - Aussie Server