Installing extra memory Upgrading laptop memory video guide

Is your computer running slow? If so then it’s time for a memory upgrade.

Hi, i’m Matthew Bath, the Technology Editor here at Which? and we’ll be adding extra memory or RAM, known as random access memory, to your PC or laptop. It’s quick, easy and a cost effective way to improve the speed and performance of your laptop.

First of all we need to check how much memory you already have installed. To do this you need to go to your computer. Right click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Properties’

You’ll see details of your operating system, processor as well as the amount of RAM installed.

In this case we have a module of 512 Mb RAM and we are going to add another 512Mb RAM to bring it up to a total of 1GB.

Next you will need to determine what type of memory is right for your system. There are many different types of modules available and if you don’t get exactly the right one you will get system problems and your computer may not even start.

Use a good website such as www.crucial.com/uk - this has an online program to help you determine
what memory is already installed, how much more you can add and into how many slots.

You may be required to download an ActiveX program (created by Microsoft to enable interactive web content) in order to use the service on crucial’s site.

In the example laptop we are using today, we have two slots, one is filled with 512Mb RAM and we are going to add another 512Mb RAM into the other free slot.

First you need to switch off and un-plug your machine.

We’ll be unscrewing the flap underneath the laptop to access the memory slots and sometimes there may be another slot under the keyboard.

Before you remove the memory from its packaging you must attach an anti-static wrist strap
to yourself and something metal such as the casing of the computer or a metal table leg.

Unbranded memory is best avoided, the wrong memory or damaged memory chips can cause
erratic system problems and can even prevent your computer from booting. Try memory brands such as Danelec, Crucial and Kingston.

Next, remove the cover from the underside of your laptop using the correct size ‘philips’ screwdriver.
You should now be able to see the free slot.

Hold the memory at both sides, do not touch any of the contacts or the chips as static discharge can damage delicate memory chips.

Make sure that the module is pushed firmly into the right slot, it’s very easy to miss this, as its still
possible to close the side clips on the RAM module when even the main contacts are not connected.
The best thing to do is to push the memory in and down and at the same time move the clips to
the side. Once its fitted into place you should hea a ‘click’.

Next, close the flap and screw it up.

Turn your laptop back over and switch on. If the memory is slotted in correctly, you should be able to start up and log on.

If you go to ‘My Computer’, right click on this and select ‘Properties’ There you should see the new amount of RAM that you’ve installed as approximately 1024MB or 1GB of RAM.

Adding extra memory to your laptop is the easiest and most cost effective way to boost the speed of your system and make your applications work faster. I hope you’ve enjoyed this tutorial which shows how easy it is to add extra RAM to your laptop.