How to add ram to windows vista

I have seen it on my computer too. An increase of memory is always good and improves the performance of other computer or laptop! As came to this site, I saw this website below which also deals with the subject! All four OSes show 3. Is 3GB memory is a lot? How many Software can I program? This should allow you to run over a dozen programs at once with little disk swapping.

I heard that I need to install some kind of an update in order to use al my ram. Im using vista home premium. Does anyone know anything about this kind of updates? Never mind how much the RAM is. It is ultimately the Windows wins.

I had one gb ram and Vista works slower. Its all because of Vista. So where does it get mapped? If you have 3gb of ram, there is 1 gig of addressable space that can be used for MMIO addressing, without impacting the physical ram. If you have 4gb ram, that MMIO space is going to lower the actual physical ram that you can access. Name required. Mail will not be published required.

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Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Related Articles. Part 1. Check how much RAM your computer currently has installed. Before determining how much RAM you should purchase, it will be helpful to know how much RAM you already have installed in your computer.

You can quickly check your installed RAM, regardless of what operating system you are using. Your installed RAM will be listed in the System section. Your installed RAM will be displayed in the Memory entry. Check how much RAM your computer and operating system can support. If you are using Windows, a bit version can support up to 4 GB, while a bit version can support up to GB.

Even if your computer supports up to GB, there's a good chance that your motherboard doesn't support that much. You'll need to check the documentation for your motherboard or run an online system scanner to see how much memory your motherboard supports.

Mac users will need to check their documentation to see how much their computer support as it varies significantly from model to model. If you don't have the documentation anymore, you can look up the specs of your model on the Apple support site. See this guide for more details on determining the maximum amount of RAM your computer supports.

Check what RAM format your motherboard supports. RAM has gone through several revisions over the years. If this is the case, you will likely want to consider upgrading the entire computer, as older types of RAM are getting increasingly expensive. You can determine what type your computer uses by referring to the documentation or running a tool like CPU-Z, a freeware utility that analyzes your system.

Determine the clock speed. RAM comes in a variety of different speeds. If there are multiple speeds installed, your entire system will clock down to the lowest speed present. This can actually hurt your performance, even if you are adding RAM. Motherboards typically support a range of clock speeds.

All installed RAM should be the same speed for the best performance. Purchase RAM modules in pairs. Nearly all RAM should be installed in pairs. The total value of each module should be within the limits of your motherboard. If your motherboard has an 16 GB limit, it likely won't support a single 16 GB memory module. RAM often comes packaged in pairs to make purchasing easier. Many computers will work with only one RAM module, but this is bad practice and you will have worse performance.

You should only do this if necessary. Understand the difference between desktop and laptop memory. Other than form-factor, most of the other specifications discussed in this section apply to both desktop and laptop memory.

Part 2. Power down the computer. Unplug the power cable. If you need to move the computer to access it easier, remove all the cables from the back. Place the desktop on its side somewhere that gives you easy access. Lay it down with the ports on the back closest to the table. Open the case. Some cases have thumbscrews for easy opening, while older cases typically require a Phillips head screwdriver. Slide the panel off or pull it open after removing the screws. Make sure to remove the panel that allows access to the motherboard.

These ports include monitor, Ethernet, speaker, USB, and more. They are connected to the motherboard, so remove the panel on the opposite side. Ground yourself. Anytime you work inside a computer, you risk emitting an electrostatic discharge that could damage your components. You can reduce this risk by wearing an anti-static wriststrap, or by grounding yourself before working in the computer. Touching a metal water tap will ground you.

Remove existing RAM if necessary. If you are replacing RAM, pop out the old modules by pressing down on the latches on each end of the module. The RAM module should pop out of the slot, allowing you to lift it directly out.

Check how the RAM slots are laid out. Many motherboards have four slots for RAM, but pairs are typically not installed directly next to each other. Refer to your motherboard documentation to ensure that you know which slots to use. If you don't have your documentation handy, you can often tell which slots are pairs by looking at the coloring. They may be labeled on the edge, which each label etched onto the motherboard. These labels may be small, so you may have to look closely. Install your RAM.

Push each module directly into the slot, ensuring that the notches at the bottom line up. Apply even pressure directly to the top of the module until it is inserted and the latches snap into place on each side. Do not force the modules in or you may break them. Nearly all RAM is installed in pairs. Some computers will have difficulty with a single RAM stick, and using only one stick will decrease performance.

Close up the computer. With the RAM installed, close up your computer and screw the case panel back into place. Plug all of the cables back in. Boot up your operating system. Turn on your computer and allow it to boot into your operating system. You may be prompted to continue due to your new RAM installation.

If your computer runs into a serious error at this point, the RAM may be improperly installed, or there may be an errors with one of your new modules. See this guide for instructions on testing your RAM modules. Verify that the RAM is recognized.

Open your computer's system information to verify that the RAM was properly installed and is being used. Double-check that the amount is being displayed correctly.

Verify your installed RAM in the System section. Verify your installed RAM in the Memory entry. Part 3. Turn off your laptop.

To ensure that you don't cause any damage, remove the battery as well if possible. Make sure to unplug the laptop from the power adapter. Flip the laptop over so you can access the bottom. Most laptops allow you to swap out RAM through a panel on the bottom of the laptop.

You will need a small Phillips screwdriver to access this panel. The panel is often marked by a small image of a RAM module. You may have to remove multiple panels in order to access the RAM.