RAM question

[ace2005]

if u put new ram into your computer would it erase things that was already on there for e.g applications,document files,wmp videos etc ?

[khanibal]

The long answer:

Ram is volatile, meaning, it doesn't save any information in it after it has been powered down. When you shut down your computer, all information in the ram is quickly moved to a non-volatile place (hard drive), and then lost from the ram's memory forever.

All of your data that you listed above is stored in non-volatile memory, or more than likely, your hard drive. When you shut off your computer, your hard drive, unlike ram, does not lose the data stored on it. (unless you get owned by a huge magnet or something).

Adding more ram to your computer will not have any effect on your hard drive. Just make sure you buy the proper ram, and fully shut down your computer and take all precautions to prevent ESD before installation.

The short answer:

Na it won't erase anything

[ace2005]

ok thanks

[ace2005]

but do u know what RAM would be suitable for a dell optiplex GX150?

[khanibal]

Yes, after some googling it appears that the your machine can only handle a maximum of 512mb of ram.

EDIT: See link below posted by Murray.

The prices there are rather high, but I believe any 168pin PC-133 SDRAM (non ecc) dimms will work just fine, if you can find them cheaper elsewhere..


Good luck!

[Murray S.]

Howdy:

Go to www.crucial.com (http://www.crucial.com) and do a search for your system.

They will tell you exactly what you can use. Just took a look and their memory is about 50% cheaper than the other site you were given and is guarnateed to work or your money back.

Murray

[ace2005]

thank u both for your help

[ace2005]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006BT1B/wwwdealticouk-21/ref=nosim

[ace2005]

would the above be suitable

[zipulrich]

Yeah, but thats terribly expensive.

Edit: Here's a stick for 25.71 (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=22918&_LOC=UK)

[ace2005]

good looking out thanks

[ace2005]

ok i got the ram but after i inserted it i checked the properties bit in 'my computer' and its saying i got 521 kb but when i went into setup it said 512mb on the installed memory what happened ?

[cHiNgY1788]

what version of windows are you running?
are you sure it says 521kb?
or 521MB?

well for one thing
no version of windows newer than windows 95 would run ong 521KB of RAM
try this...
start->run
type in dxdiag
then run it
on that screen it should tell you the amount of RAM

[ace2005]

i checked where it says memory and it reads 510MB RAM but shouldnt it say 512 ?

[cHiNgY1788]

510MB is ok
means you have onboard video card which takes up 2MB
dw bout it you can disable onboard if you have an AGP/PCI video card put in

[ace2005]

ok thanks