The Hoboken Cafe 

Is it easy to install memory to a computer? I have an IBM Aptiva PC. I recall my younger sister saying that she did it before, so I figured that I could do it myself, as well.

Anyone, besides "Computer Wiz Jerry", have any opinion on this? Is it easy to do?

Installing memory is as easy as opening the side of the tower and inserting the memory "card" into a bracket.

Go to Flash Tech, 9th and Washington, and they will show you how easy it is.

If you play the damsel in distress chances are
the geek at the local PC shop will do it for you.
But if you feel confident and have decent manual
dexertity(not talking jugling knives here more of a
phone dialing level)you can probably do it yourself

First off is it a laptop or a full PC? Laptops tend to be
more difficult cause of the smaller size. If it's a full
PC box first thing I'd do is goto google and search on
"how to install memory into a PC". No joke, this is one of the best ways to find out about something.

Two pages from that search:
http://www.tweak3d.net/articles/howtoinstallmemory/4.shtml

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/installing_dimm_memory_...

They are written in geekesse but if you take your time and read them through you'll probably be okay.

A few tips if you do do it yourself.
1. Have the computer unplugged when you do it.
2. Avoid doing it on carpet and don't wear a fuzzy sweater.
Static electicty can damage your PC, it's not probable this will happen but why take the chance.
3.Touch something metal before you touch the inside of the PC. Static again.
4. Some effort will be needed to install the memory but don't
force it.
5.Be confident, this isn't brain surgery and just about anything you do can be undone.

Follow the web instructions and these tips and you should be fine.

Thank you, but I wanted to take care of this today. I'll drive to Staples and hope that I buy the right thing.

The handsome guys at FlashTech have helped me before in the past, with my old computer. They are very nice and friendly there.

Thank you so much! This is what I was looking for. I figured if my sister could figure it out, so could I.

I have a PC. I can't seem to find the manual, but I found the machine type #2170 and model #802 written on the computer. If I go to Staples will they sell me the right card? I went to their web site, but it doesn't show capatibility to what kind of computer, etc.....or does it matter?

Thanks for your tips. I'm going to read your links now. Maybe these questions will be answered there.

I went to the IBM website....nothing was there.

Yes, I know about Google... it's great! It's one of my favorite search engines. I was just looking for some personal experiences here, so I know what not to do. This will be my first time doing this.

Okay, I read the articles. I'm a little bit chicken. I may stall until next weekend b/c I have other work to do anyway......or I may, at least, remove the lid and take a look. If there is more than one slot for memory, I can remove the one that's in there, take it to the store and buy the same thing, and put them both back in, right? I won't screw up my computer, right?

I'm going to go shower......another stall technique.

Ok, I want you to use this link:
http://www.sofotex.com/cgi-bin/ls/page.cgi?p=download&d=1&ID...

It will prompt you to download a program called aida32. Aida32 will tell you a whole bunch of stuff about your PC. If you curious about your PC it's a great way to find out about it.

What you are most interested in is what motherboard you have, the mother board will determine what memory you can buy.

After you install and start up the program look at the upper left side of the scrren. Click on summary, it's under computer. Post the name of the motherboard name and
the motherboard chipset and we can find out what memory you can buy.

It was way too easy!

I took the lid off and right away saw what I thought was the memory card,(it looks like a big version of what is in my digital camera) and I saw a 2nd slot for another one, so I removed it, put it in a baggie, and drove to Staples.

I asked the boy at the desk if he knew about computers because I knew nothing. I showed him what I needed it. He started asking me Technical questions about my computer and I told him that I was serious....I know nothing. He told me that he thinks my computer could handle a certain about, blah, blah, blah... I could buy one big one, or put mine back in and buy a 2nd. This is what I did. I guess I only had 64 MG, so I bought 128MB more.

Now, if I could just figure out why my Norton Firewall and Anti-virus isn't working. Jerry(GM) tried to figure it out, but couldn't.

Thank you! I installed this.....it's very cool.

So, can you help me with my other two problems?

My computer came with Windows 98, over two years ago. I thought it would be cool to have XP, so I installed it and my computer has never been the same.

Christine,

That's exactly what you should do. Get another of the
same type and you will be fine. You should also note
how much memmory you have. If you want to double your
memory your fine.

-Mike

christinec said on 3/9/2003 10:53 AM

>Okay, I read the articles. I'm a little bit chicken. I may stall until next weekend b/c I have other work to do anyway......or I may, at least, remove the lid and take a look. If there is more than one slot for memory, I can remove the one that's in there, take it to the store and buy the same thing, and put them both back in, right? I won't screw up my computer, right?
>
>I'm going to go shower......another stall technique.
>
>

Sorry Christine, I have been away this weekend so I did not even know you requried assistance. Hopefully, everyone was nice enough to help and you got your problem resolved.

No problem.

yes, "Frode" is good.

Thank you. I remember when I first started using computers. I broke it almost weekly learning about it and trying new things. A friend of my parent's was always very kind to come by to fix it and explain what I had done wrong. It would be poor repayment of his genorsity not to pass along what info on PCs I have.

Hope all goes well with the installation.