Ram stick - computer question -

[Dash]

Guys...this is kind of an urgent question. I'm planning to buy 2 gb of Ram stick tomorrow on boxing day.

Can someone tell me how yo figure out what type of RAM stick goes with your computer? I know you have to go inside the case and find the number where you insert the RAM stick. But I'm not certain where to look.

 

[smiley1437]

First - look it up in the manual - but I'm assuming you don't have that or you wouldn't be asking!

If it's a name brand machine (HP, IBM, Compaq, etc), get the model number and look it up on the manufacturer's site, or on Kingston.com (Kingston is a 3rd party memory manufacturer with pretty good info on just about everyone's RAM requirements, and you'll be able to find out the type of RAM you need from there).

If it's not a name brand machine, hopefully it's a major motherboard manufacturer - usually, if you look inside the machine you can see the make (e.g. Asus, or Abit, etc) and the model number of the motherboard. Again, get the manual for that motherboard from the manufacturer's web site.

I guess if you're REALLY lucky, the RAM-type will be silk-screened right on the motherboard but that's pretty rare...

Good luck

 

[rick dickulous]

Two gigs in one stick it must be pretty new. So it's either ddr or ddr2. Tell us what processor you got and what speed it is. Also if you know the speed of the front side bus that would help. What does it say when you first turn it on? That could tell us the make and model of motherboard.

 

[Dash]

no no -

not 2 gigs in one stick

1 gig in one stick

2 sticks.

 

[rick dickulous]

Turn your computer on and look REALLY carefully at the first screen. The one that tells you that it's energy star compliant, and who made the bios in what year and all that. Maybe go into the bios and turn on the memory test and that will give you lots of time to read that first screen. Somewhere on that screen will be the model number of your motherboard. Google that number and you'll find everything you need to know.

OR

Get the Belarc advisor and run it, you might get lucky and it will report your motherboard model. I assume you're running Windows. If you learn more about computers then one day you can run Linux and your life will be much better.

 

[The Daulfin]

If all else fails, bring the computer with you and let them tell you what you need (assuming you are going somewhere reputable to start with).

 

[Eli]

What five replies and not one "ram stick" joke? What is this board coming to!?

 

[wumpscut]

I'd download SISandra and let it

figure things out for me. Gives all the info without even having to open up the case!

 

[Keebler Elf]

If all else fails, bring the computer with you and let them tell you what you need (assuming you are going somewhere reputable to start with).

Never do this on Boxing Day. You're inviting disaster.

Your best bet might be to find out the name of your motherboard and then start googling to see what RAM is compatible. There are websites that tell you what RAM is compatible with what hard drive. I don't know where to find them, but I've used them in the past.

 

[Dash]

What five replies and not one "ram stick" joke? What is this board coming to!?

Yeah, I know eh? I'm disappointed in you guys!