Lesson 04 - Install a RAM memory upgrade into any desktop or laptop computer

[ilandboi78]

I just recently bought 16GB of DDR3 Ram to max out my pc, Windows does recoginze the full 16, but some PC crashes have started to occur. My pc started with OEM 4GB DDR3-10600, so to get my 16gb worth i just bought a pack of 4GB sticks for my 4 slots to max it out. Crucial review does not show me my setup, and recommends 2 8GB sticks to get 16. From CPU-Z my pc is not showing a module of single, dual or triple.. is something wrong.. please help.

[hpcbdvd]

@ilandboi78 Without knowing your computer's model number or motherboard model number it is difficult to say. Are you getting blue screens with a restart, just restarts, freezes?

[ilandboi78]

@hpcbdvd Thanks for any help with this... I am getting the blue screen with the restart. My pc is a Gateway SX 2370-UB30p. It came with 2x2Gb sticks to make 4GB from OEM.

[hpcbdvd]

@ilandboi78 According to the specs I found you have 4 RAM slots with a maximum of 16GB, so your 4, 4GB sticks will max out your system. I can't find a manual for your specific system. I would try using only 2 sticks of RAM and see if you still get blue screens. If you don't, take those sticks out and put in the other 2 sticks in the same slots. If you still don't get blue screen try 2 of the sticks in the other 2 slots. You can use this technique to see if the RAM or slots are bad.

[ilandboi78]

@hpcbdvd I have done this and no blue screen yet, the PC is only 2 months old - got it brand new from Best Buy. So the slots seem and should be fine, should the pc show fro cpu-z the mode its in? Mine shows nothing, with all 4x4gb sticks at 16gb.

[hpcbdvd]

@ilandboi78 It won't always show the mode. With all 4 slots full with the same size sticks it should be in dual channel mode unless dual channel has been turned off in the BIOS.

[hpcbdvd]

@ilandboi78 Sometimes when you have RAM in every slot, the voltage going to the RAM controller needs to be increased. Since I can't locate a manual for your BIOS I can't give you directions on doing this, but it is something to consider.

[ilandboi78]

@hpcbdvd This is the Ram I bought: Corsair CMX16GX3M4A1333C9 XMS3 Desktop Memory Kit - 16GB (4x 4GB), PC3-10666, DDR3-1333MHz, 9-9-9-24 CAS Latency, 240-pin DIMM, 1.5V, Unbuffered

[ilandboi78]

@hpcbdvd What kind of info do you need from the Bios so you can instruct me to make changes to it?

[hpcbdvd]

@ilandboi78 BIOSs are different from computer to computer. It would have to be done over a chat session or phone call where we get into the BIOS, you tell me what you see and I tell you where to go and what to change.

[ilandboi78]

@hpcbdvd Sounds cool we can do that, what chat client yahoo, skype, text..im open for whatever will do best.

[valse440]

angry birds error opengl help angry birds minimum ram support 4 gb ram?

[valse440]

I'm sad my computer memory very low 2 gb ram

[MogguSama]

its rare to see that kinda videos the most of the ram videos suck but this whas the best vid ive saw

[MrGamingKnower]

if I take out the old and put in a new that is maybe another type (better) does the computer still work?

[hpcbdvd]

@MrGamingKnower I recommend you watch this series from the beginning. It explains the different types of RAM and why the different types are not compatible with each other. For instance if your computer takes DDR2 RAM you can not put in DDR3 RAM without replacing the motherboard. If you're looking for a good upgrade just adding more RAM will help a great deal.

[KillfeedOMG]

I have q question. I am about to buy a barebones desktop(nothing to fansy just to start off) windows 7 doesnt come with it, do i need to have windows or can i get it for free, its just to much...

[hpcbdvd]

@KillfeedOMG You can get Windows 7 Home Premium for between $80 and $100. You're looking for the System Builder or OEM version. The Retail version is twice as much.

[whole27]

@hpcbdvd you can a lot more memory on a desktop than u can a laptop right, simply b/c of the space within a desktop to add the memory cards?

I need a great laptop or desktop, thinking of an Apple....almost exclusively for video editing which is all about getting as much RAM and memory as possible....i would ideally want a laptop cause its so much more convenient and u can take it anywhere but u can only add so much RAM and memory to it right?

[hpcbdvd]

@whole27 Most laptops will have 2 RAM slots while a desktop will usually have at least 4.

[whole27]

@hpcbdvd and is 2GB the most memory each card can have? Why can't they have like 16GB RAM cards? And there is 2 different types of memory right...Ram and memory....so how do you upgrade the other memory?

[hpcbdvd]

@whole27 You should really watch this series of videos from lesson 1. They answer these questions.

[whole27]

@hpcbdvd dammit, you could have just answer those few questions for me and it would have saved me all that time

[hpcbdvd]

@HiImMrConnor Maybe it was 16.384GB. Many computers can have 16GB of RAM. What model computer do you have?

[pyridoxide]

your videos are very hopeful! ; )

[CRISO90]

Hey i bought a 1gb Ram card because mine had 2 cards of 512mb each and i took one out to put in the 1gb i bought and i turned on the computer but the monitor doesnt get signal but the rest is on normaly CAN ANYONE HELP ME ?

[hpcbdvd]

@CRISO90 I need more information in order to help. What computer model number or motherboard model do you have? What is the model of the original RAM and what model RAM are you trying to add?

[wmw0702]

@hpcbdvd hi, i have 4gb ddr2 800. will it make any difference if i replace them with ddr2 1200?

[hpcbdvd]

@wmw0702 I doubt you would notice a difference between the 800MHz RAM and 1200MHz RAM.

[MegaHotgamer]

why is my computer is not booting? i have ddr2 667MHz corsair value select 1gb and i buy kingston ddr2 667 MHz 2gb they are both cl5 dimm

[hpcbdvd]

@MegaHotgamer That is hard to say. If you just put in a new stick of RAM and the computer no longer boots up I would first take out the new RAM and see if it boots again. Can you send more information on your computer (model number), the original RAM and the RAM you are adding?

[MegaHotgamer]

@hpcbdvd My Main Board Is Ecs 945GCT-M2/1333, My Current Ram Is VS1GB667D2(1.8v), The Ram That I'm Adding Is KVR667D2N5/2G (1.8v), I Have Intel Pentium Dual Core 2.00GHz(Intel Pentium E2180)

[hpcbdvd]

@MegaHotgamer According to the ECS website the model 945GCT-M2/1333 motherboard can take up to 2GB of RAM. That is 2, 1GB sticks. The system isn't working because it can not take the 2GB stick of RAM you added. You'll need to return the 2GB stick and get a 1GB stick to go along with the existing 1GB stick of RAM.

[MegaHotgamer]

@hpcbdvd ow i think i know my problem :) tnx for the info :))

[VickeLang]

can you use 2 differnet kinds of RAM but all is the same DDR like DDR2. because i have 2 DDR2 in my old PC and want to put it in my new PC but they are not the same model.

[hpcbdvd]

@VickeLang You can not mix two different types of RAM. They will not fit into another RAM type's slot.

[VickeLang]

@hpcbdvd what if they fit ?

[hpcbdvd]

@VickeLang You may be able to force it in so it appears to fit but one type of RAM will not work in another types slot.

[ALIEMAD77]

how do you find out the max ram you can put in?

[hpcbdvd]

@ALIEMAD77 Please watch Lessons 1 through 4 of this series.  Lesson 1 tells you how to find out how much RAM your computer can accept.

[Technoflicks]

@hpcbdvd hi i want to put my laptop ram in my desktop will this work

[hpcbdvd]

@Technoflicks Laptop RAM will not fit into a desktop computer.

[UltimateKostasTV1]

I have 2 GB RAM installed , with a 4GB Maximum. Can I add more than 4GB or is it (like having 8GB) or do I can I have only 4GBs?

[hpcbdvd]

@UltimateKostasTV1 If the maximum your system can accept is 4GB you can not install 8GB of RAM. What system/motherboard do you have?

[UltimateKostasTV1]

@hpcbdvd I dont really know what motherboard I have , I'll pm you with my PC stats (processor etc)

[ADDodger]

Thanks a lot!

[TheGooznooz]

@hpcbdvd can we remove our old memory sticks and add new sticks as well as adding 2 more sticks to the free slot?

[hpcbdvd]

@TheGooznooz You probably can remove the 2 existing sticks and add a total of 4GB. Be sure to watch this series from lesson 1. It goes over the types of memory and rules about combining memory. What model computer do you have and what capacity of RAM is in it now?

[vemEhanDenDrA]

is it possible to use a laptop ram in a desktop ?

[hpcbdvd]

@vemEhanDenDrA No you can't put laptop ram in a desktop. The two kinds are physically different. One type will not fit in the other's slot.

[vemEhanDenDrA]

@hpcbdvd yeah iknow but is there no sort of adaptor to fit it in?

[hpcbdvd]

@vemEhanDenDrA If you do a google search for "laptop to desktop ram adapter" you will find a few sites and ebay sellers that sell laptop to desktop RAM adapters. I would not trust them to work.

[agcowly]

Do u have any videos on how to install graphic cards/ram in pcs such as a acer aspire t180-O97Z ?plz thanks

[hpcbdvd]

@agcowly These memory upgrade videos will show how to upgrade the RAM. Be sure to start with lesson 1. We don't have a video showing video card upgrades but if you go to our channel here on YouTube you will find a video showing how to install a new video card in a computer you build yourself. It should help you out.

[FoodOnCrack]

how do i see diffrence between ddr2 and ddr3? :O

[hpcbdvd]

@FoodOnCrack Visually they are very similar. Both have the same number of pins. The middle notch between the pins is spaced differently. Do a Google search for "ddr2 and ddr3 differences" and you'll find lots of info.

[niz32iqbal]

i currently have ddr 2. can i get ddr 3 and replace my ddr 2 using the very same slot??

[hpcbdvd]

@niz32iqbal No you can't. The slots are specific to the type of RAM. I'd recommend you watch lesson 1 of these series.

[mccclarren]

@hpcbdvd hey i went to crucial dot come and did the scan it said i have four memory slots but i ony see two im using a gigabyte GA-M61PME-S2 motherboard

[hpcbdvd]

@mccclarren The GA-M61PME-S2 does only have 2 memory slots. Are you sure you have that motherboard? You might want to open up the computer and take a look. The model number is usually printed near the expansion slots. Sometimes the first screen that comes up when you power on the computer will show the motherboard model number as well.

[mccclarren]

@hpcbdvd yeah thats what it says on the motherboard as well i cant understand why the website would be showing four slots

[spartacus1234567890]

Someone told me that if I install a 1gig stick of ram and a 512 stick in the other slot the computer will only run as fast as the slowest ram installed. Is this true?

[hpcbdvd]

@spartacus1234567890 1GB and 512MB are the capacity of the sticks, not their speed. Lesson 1 in this series covers speed differences.

[Griesmayer]

@spartacus1234567890 only if you are using dual channel mode

[mlgprox1]

hey man can put one stick of 2gb ram in my computer but only one stick?

[hpcbdvd]

@mlgprox1 What model computer do you have or what motherboard do you have in your computer?

[H34dshotMickey]

@hpcbdvd i kinda need your help.

i recently bought all pc parts i needed and build it.

i bought a 4gb RAM but my pc says it only has 2...

can u help me cusi need more RAM fore some gamesand i just dont want to use only 50% of it

[hpcbdvd]

@mlgprox1 You need a 64bit version of Windows for it to see more than 3.5GB of RAM. Another possible problem is whether or not the motherboard will see a 4GB stick of RAM. If you have a 64bit version of Windows and the motherboard is capable of using a 4GB stick of RAM I would first re-seat the RAM stick(take it out, put it back in) or possibly try another RAM slot on the motherboard. If that fails check for an updated BIOS for your motherboard. BIOS updates can often fix problems with RAM.

[hpcbdvd]

@Xplictechno Do a Google search for "pavilion ms200 install ram" about 7 down on the list there is a link to a pdf on HP's site that is the service manual for your ms200. It shows how to install RAM.

[xPancakes4lyf]

whats the highest amount of RAM i can buy?

[hpcbdvd]

@xPancakes4lyf That depends on how much your computer can take. Go back and watch these videos from the beginning. They show you how to tell how many sticks of RAM, the kind of RAM and the capacity.

[hpcbdvd]

@darklordbassfz I'd say 4GB of RAM is probably plenty. Windows 7 runs very well on that amount. You may be able to upgrade to 8GB in the future. Lesson 2 in this series will show you how to tell what your computer can take.

[duhzzzz]

hpcbdvd..An additional thanks for the tip on WinDirStat.

My free space has gone up to 20%,...And I'm just starting.

[duhzzzz]

HPCBDVD...Thank you very much.

I disabled Hibernation and the free space went from 7% to 12%.

I'll learn to make do with Sleep mode, until I clean house....Thanks, again.

[duhzzzz]

I just installed 2GB of RAM into our PC..Everything is much faster,boot-up,etc...Just racing along.

The thing is,..After checking things out, I noticed my HD free space went from 11% to 7%.

Is this supposed to happen?..Nothing I read or saw mentioned additional HD space being used.

[hpcbdvd]

@duhzzzz There are two things that can cause a decrease in hard drive space. When you add memory Windows will automatically increase the size of the page or swap file. This is the hard drive space used to swap data between the RAM and hard drive. If you have the hibernate option enabled increasing the RAM can increase the size of the hibernation files. Hibernating saves everything in RAM to the hard drive and power the computer down. Continued to next post...

[hpcbdvd]

@duhzzzz When you wake the computer up the data is read from the hard drive back into memory and the computer is ready to use again. Since the memory size increased the files on the drive increased as well to match it. The page or swap file needs to be left alone. Windows does a good job of setting it's size to give you the best performance. If you don't ever hibernate you computer you can turn it off. Google search for disable hibernation and you'll find instructions.

[hpcbdvd]

@duhzzzz The free space being at 7% is probably causing a noticeable slow down of your computer by itself. Ideally you want the free space to be at least 15%, 20% and above is better. You could upgrade you hard drive do a larger capacity model but you probably just need to free up some space. Google search for windirstat and download it. It is free and shows you where your drives capacity is being used. If you have never checked you'd be surprised how much junk you have on your harddrive.

[masterccx]

hey i got a question i had 6gb of ram and then i got another 6gb but when i check on computer properties it says i have 12gb but only 8gb is usable why is this and how can i use all 12?

[hpcbdvd]

@masterccx This can usually be resolved with a BIOS update. Find out what make and model motherboard you have to go to the makers support website to download the update. This can usually be updated while still in Windows with simple utility. You can find the model of the motherboard on the first screen that shows up when you power on the computer. It is almost always also printed on the face of the motherboard. Once you have the latest version of the BIOS installed it should find the RAM.

[serianis]

hey man i have a question for you... i bought a 2 gb ram for my laptop (and it;s compatible) but when i switch the laptop on the monitor doesn't work.

do you have any suggestions?

[hpcbdvd]

@serianis That means the system isn't POSTing. Power On Self Test. What model laptop and RAM are you working with and are you also using the RAM that came with the laptop?