Quick ? on memory upgrade

[Cmcburnett]

I just upgraded the memory on my computer and have a question. How do I check my computer to see if its reading the Ram I just installed? I have Windows and can't find the answer in my the manual or on my computer. Any help is appreciated.

[hukari]

Charlotte, in XP there is an item in the control panel I think is called "System" in the English version as well. On the first page it lists the RAM the PC has installed. Otherwise, if you have DirectX installed, you can do "Run..." and enter dxdiag, which will give you the same info. If you don't have Windows, someone else will have to help!

[Tom K]

Hi Charlotte,

From the desktop go to;

Start> All programs> Accessories> System tools> System Information....

About 3/4 of the way down the list all of the memory info....

Tom :D

[Cmcburnett]

Tom, thanks for the info. I'm totally clueless and I'm embarassed to ask this question, when I got into the system information it said Total Virtual Memory 1.96, Available Virtual Memory 2.0, is that RAM? Gees I feel stupid:(. However, I did install the Ram on my own. And yes, I'm a natural blonde down to roots.:D

Reka, thanks for you help also.

[Byron Gale]

Charlotte,

RAM is what they call "Physical Memory", so you want to see "Total Physical Memory" reflect your total.

Byron

[Cmcburnett]

Byron, I didn't see "Total Physical Memory"? I think the memory I installed is working because my computer seems to be running a bit faster. I had a bit of a problem getting the chip to lock into place so I just wanted to check the computer to see if it recognized it. I will look again. Thank you for your help, it is very appreciated:)

[snidely]

Hi Charlotte,
It should look more or less like this:

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1lHVrYhHjXCRBaYGYf802KxZLt4ZF_thumb.jpg (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1lHVrYhHjXCRBaYGYf802KxZLt4ZF)

Have fun,
Steve

[Inspeqtor]

Charlotte,

Another way to find RAM on your Windows computer is to RIGHT CLICK on MY Computer icon on your desktop, then click on Properties. In there you will see your RAM as I have shown here:
My computer has 1.0 GB of RAM

1392

[Cmcburnett]

Charles & Steve thank you sooo much. Thanks to the pictures you guys posted I was able to find the memory and I think its installed right, first for me. I had 512MB DDR and I installed 1GB DDR and the total Physical Memory is now 1,536MB, I don't understand the GB/MB but I guess its right.

Thanks again.

[Inspeqtor]

Charlotte,

If I understand this correctly:

A KB (KiloByte) is 1024 Bytes.

A MB (MegaByte) is 1024 KB or 1024 x 1024 bytes

A GB (GigaByte) is 1024 MB or 1024 X 1024 x 1024 bytes

A TB (TeraByte) is 1024 GB or... well you get the idea!

So, since your computer says 1536 MB that is the same as 1.5 GB

I hope I did not confuse you too much! :eek:

[GaryK]

Hi Charlotte

Charles is correct, but to muck it up even more.:twisted:
Some manufacturers (especially hard drive) tend to round out the kb to 1000. Memory is one exception .. I have never seen one round out the number.
So for general purpose use, don't get too hung up on the exact number as you can't change it anyway.:)

[Cmcburnett]

Charlotte,

If I understand this correctly:

A KB (KiloByte) is 1024 Bytes.

A MB (MegaByte) is 1024 KB or 1024 x 1024 bytes

A GB (GigaByte) is 1024 MB or 1024 X 1024 x 1024 bytes

A TB (TeraByte) is 1024 GB or... well you get the idea!

So, since your computer says 1536 MB that is the same as 1.5 GB

I hope I did not confuse you too much! :eek:


Charles, wow what an explanation. I don't think I'm even going to try to figure that out, I'm horrible with numbers. Thanks for all your help, I think my computer is recognizing the upgrade. My computer is almost 5 yrs old and I'm not looking forward to buying a new one so I just keep upgrading. I'd hate setting up a new computer with all the software I have but I know the day will come and I'm not looking forward to it.

Thanks again.

[Cmcburnett]

Hi Charlotte

Charles is correct, but to muck it up even more.:twisted:
Some manufacturers (especially hard drive) tend to round out the kb to 1000. Memory is one exception .. I have never seen one round out the number.
So for general purpose use, don't get too hung up on the exact number as you can't change it anyway.:)

Gary thanks. This was the first time I've installed memory on this computer and I wasn't quite sure I had it installed right. It was a challenge for me from the start, first figuring out the right RAM to buy then how to get the cover off my computer, which I had to use the manual to figure out, then taking out the power box to get to the slots where I had to insert the chip and then putting it all back together.

Thanks to everyone for your help;)

[Tom K]

Hi Charlotte,

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, however I have been on holiday
in Maine..
It looks like you got all of your questions answered by the super team
here on the forum..... Tom :D

[Cmcburnett]

Tom, yea the nice folks here on the forum cleared up my question for me. I've heard Maine is a beautiful state, been meaning to visit but haven't had a chance. Hopefully soon. Thanks again for your help;)