Memory Issues: Other
Apart from the two issues below, you have some additional concerns when upgrading your computer.
What type of RAM does my computer take?
There are several different types and capacities of RAM to choose from. This can be found out a few ways:
This becomes the real question. The majority of computers manufactured with Pentium III or older may not be able to support more than 512MB of RAM. As noted before, you will need to find out if the board is capable of handling a specific amount of RAM.
First, you have to figure out how you plan to add this RAM, as in what physical amounts will be added to accomplish the total amount. This requires you to identify how many Slots are available on your board (1, 2, 3, 4?)
Secondly, you will need to check with the manufacturer to find out how much RAM each slot can hold. Some boards may only support 128MB, 256MB or 512MB per slot and would then purchase a specific chip to accommodate those requirements.
For example, our motherboard has 3 slots, each of which can accommodate a maximum of 256MB per slot. That means, that the motherboard is ultimately limited to a maximum of 768MB of RAM. It also means I could have a few options for getting other totals. Use of a 512MB stick may or may not work, and there is the chance the operating system would not recognize any more than what it is capable of.
Can my Operating System support an increase in RAM?
This may be a problem when moving beyond the Windows 98, ME, or 2000 into XP or higher. This may also present problems when you are running programs or games that require additional RAM.
As noted in the below Article "Memory Problems," Windows 9x-based operating system require an edit to the system.ini file to allow more than 512MB and Ultimately may only be able to support a maximum of 800MB of RAM. Additional modifications may be necessary, and I would have to refer you to some of the Windows Enthusiasts' Sites, such as www.mdgx.com.
In my case, I ran Windows 98SE on a Motherboard that supported a 1GB chip in two slots. Windows did recognize I had 1024MB of RAM, but ran into the memory problems list in the previous article. After making changes to the system.ini file, I still had problems. I was forced to buy a 512 chip and limit the RAM. This was fine as a Windows 98 machine with 512 ran beautifully, especially when coupled with a 2+ GHz processor.
When Windows 98 began showing sigs of incompatibility with the software I was using, I knew it was time to move to the next operating system.
Windows ME was considered simply for compatibility with some of the older games I run on the system, but I knew the RAM limitations, even with modification, would still be an issue. I wanted the ability move to upgrade to 2GB, if desired as this machine was fully capable of running XP or Vista.
Windows 2000 does not appear to have any limitations to RAM as with 98/ME. I prefer 2000 to XP Home because it allows better security and the possibility of creating a domain for the network later on. I can upgrade the RAM to 2GB and have no problems from Windows 2000.
Conclusion
I hope this will at least be of some help to anyone looking to upgrade. It can save you the time and money of getting the wrong part or potentially damaging their system.
What type of RAM does my computer take?
There are several different types and capacities of RAM to choose from. This can be found out a few ways:
- Check the Retailer: This gives you the opportunity to avoid having to do the other work, yourself. Most Computer Retailers will be able to tell you whether or not the RAM they are selling is compatible with your computer.
- Check the Computer Manufacturer: They will have specs on what type of RAM you can use, how much your board can support, and other issues with the RAM. THis may give you the opportunity to download updates for the BIOS, as well.
- Check the Motherboard Manufacturer: If you don't have the manual, check the manufacturer's site for the Specs on the motherboard itself. This requires you to know who details about the computer's motherboard such as manufacturer and model number. This may give you an additional opportunity to download updates for the motherboard BIOS, some of which may be additional compatibility for RAM.
- Check the Memory Manufacturer: Many of the larger manufacturers will have some kind of information form to list what computers their RAM is compatible with by simply entering your computer's Model number.
This becomes the real question. The majority of computers manufactured with Pentium III or older may not be able to support more than 512MB of RAM. As noted before, you will need to find out if the board is capable of handling a specific amount of RAM.
First, you have to figure out how you plan to add this RAM, as in what physical amounts will be added to accomplish the total amount. This requires you to identify how many Slots are available on your board (1, 2, 3, 4?)
Secondly, you will need to check with the manufacturer to find out how much RAM each slot can hold. Some boards may only support 128MB, 256MB or 512MB per slot and would then purchase a specific chip to accommodate those requirements.
For example, our motherboard has 3 slots, each of which can accommodate a maximum of 256MB per slot. That means, that the motherboard is ultimately limited to a maximum of 768MB of RAM. It also means I could have a few options for getting other totals. Use of a 512MB stick may or may not work, and there is the chance the operating system would not recognize any more than what it is capable of.
Can my Operating System support an increase in RAM?
This may be a problem when moving beyond the Windows 98, ME, or 2000 into XP or higher. This may also present problems when you are running programs or games that require additional RAM.
As noted in the below Article "Memory Problems," Windows 9x-based operating system require an edit to the system.ini file to allow more than 512MB and Ultimately may only be able to support a maximum of 800MB of RAM. Additional modifications may be necessary, and I would have to refer you to some of the Windows Enthusiasts' Sites, such as www.mdgx.com.
In my case, I ran Windows 98SE on a Motherboard that supported a 1GB chip in two slots. Windows did recognize I had 1024MB of RAM, but ran into the memory problems list in the previous article. After making changes to the system.ini file, I still had problems. I was forced to buy a 512 chip and limit the RAM. This was fine as a Windows 98 machine with 512 ran beautifully, especially when coupled with a 2+ GHz processor.
When Windows 98 began showing sigs of incompatibility with the software I was using, I knew it was time to move to the next operating system.
Windows ME was considered simply for compatibility with some of the older games I run on the system, but I knew the RAM limitations, even with modification, would still be an issue. I wanted the ability move to upgrade to 2GB, if desired as this machine was fully capable of running XP or Vista.
Windows 2000 does not appear to have any limitations to RAM as with 98/ME. I prefer 2000 to XP Home because it allows better security and the possibility of creating a domain for the network later on. I can upgrade the RAM to 2GB and have no problems from Windows 2000.
Conclusion
I hope this will at least be of some help to anyone looking to upgrade. It can save you the time and money of getting the wrong part or potentially damaging their system.
posted by William Smith at
10:40 AM
2 Comments:
Cool articles and some great information. Any chance you would be doing some basic computer care and safety type information in the future? Perhaps some computer security basics and other helpful networking tricks.
Jason
By
armsdealer, At
Wed Dec 12, 04:26:00 PM CST
Definitely. I do alot of writing of this type for work. Alot of it is email responses for customers. Some of it is research for individual repair work.
By
William Smith, At
Mon Dec 17, 09:57:00 AM CST
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