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Installing RAM

Installation

May 29, 1999
By David Risley

This is how to put RAM in. Keep in mind that some computers have oddball chip sizes. If the instructions are Greek to you, head to the shop.

Turn off the computer, unplug it, and take off the case.
Get your memory. Make sure all guidelines are met.
Install the RAM.
Your computer organizes its SIMM sockets into groups called banks. Some boards say that two sockets make a bank. Some say that one is a bank. Nevertheless, a bank must be full. A half-full bank will drive your computer bonkers. Also, you can't mix two different kinds of memory in a single bank. For example, you can't put a 4MB SIMM and a 8MB SIMM in one bank and expect to get 12 MB of RAM. Also, many systems require you to put the memory in in pairs. Therefore, if you want 32 megs of RAM, you have to use two 16's in instead of one 32.
Here's a shortcut that is almost always true. An older computer with a 386 or an early 486 chip usually has a 4 socket bank of 30-pin SIMM modules. A later model 486 requires only one socket of 72-pin modules. Pentium machines have two socket banks of 72 pin modules, meaning you must install RAM in pairs. In all of these systems, the bank must be full for your system to operate.
Many newer motherboards have the 168-pin slots for SDRAM. Each SDRAM slot is a bank, so one SDRAM chip will work fine. Other motherboards have both SIMM and DIMM slots. Usually, each DIMM slot is a bank, just like normal. The SIMM slots right next to them are usually paired in a bank, just like the normal Pentium bank setup.
Now that that is out of the way, install the RAM. First, ground yourself. Then pick up the SIMM and look for the notched end. That notch will only go in in one way, so if it goes in, it's right. Push the SIMM down into the socket. Tilt the SIMM slowly until the spring snaps into place and holds it in.
With DIMM chips, the setup is slightly different. There are little levers that hold the DIMM in place. When installing, you open the levers. They flip to the side. You then push the DIMM in place. The notch is off-center, so it will only allow the chip in the right way. Once it is in all the way, close the levers.
Consult the manual for any jumpers or DIP switches you might need. Flip the ones you need to flip.
Put the case on and turn your computer on. Your computer should greet you with an error message. Believe me, this is fine. Your computer has found the memory and wants you to confirm that you did indeed put more in. This happens in CMOS; every setup program is a little different. If your machine doesn't seem to be working at all, go over the checklist and make sure you put the right kind of memory in.