How do I install more memory on my laptop?

[ChristmasShinySnowflakes]

At the risk of sounding stoooopid I have no idea what I need to do

I ordered 'it', box arrived this morning with chip type object inside which is apparently 'the memory'. I gather I need to unscrew the back of laptop and install it....basically I'm banking on someone a whole lot cleverer than me to tell me exactly what to do

Well a collegue showed me on a desktop.

Took of the lid
Said you clip it in there [pointed to a row of similar sized objects]
Said you turn it on and if it beeps you have done it wrong,

Apparently it is easy and you can't go wrong

Oh gosh yes, 'tis easy.

Open compartment
Locate screws somewhere where you can find them again
Locate similar looking bit to new part
Remove aforementioned bit
Stick new bit in
Screw compartment lid back on
Take stiff drink
Switch on computer

enjoy

But you don';t want to remove your ehisting memory...you want to add to it....

Do ot follow my instructions. I have had 1/2bottle of Hardys and could be talking out of my arse

yeah but....most laptops only have one memory slot these days don't they? I just whipped my RAM out and stuck a new bit in (so many differnt compartments -it took ages to find the right one)

Thankyou!

Is there not space to add new memory rather than taking out existing one?

There might be on yours. I've had three laptops and all three have only had one slot , if you are lucky you'll have two (much cheaper to upgrade on with two hence my emoticon). Have a look, if there is only one slot, have a good swear, and put it all back together again. I take it you have bought more of the same size of what you already have installed then so you are just doubling up?

Tower PCs have 2 or more slots IME - more space inside you see...

So....assuming I open it up and find there's only 1 slot I replace the existing chip thingummy with the new one then?

That'd be a right PITA tbh as I've then only increased my memory by another 512.

do you know what size memory you already have installed and what you have to install?

Not wanting to point out the obvious but if you have 512 installed and only one slot, theres no point in putting in another 512 to replace it. That said it sounds like you have already thought that one through.

Chances are you have more than one slot in there anyway, I'm sure it was just because my previous laptops were errrr....crappy I would open it up and find out.

Can you get a refund on the new memory you have if you need more than you originally thought?

I've currently got 512 installed and I bought an extra 1GB thinking the combined total would be loads am about to be brave and do it!

I assume I need to have PC switched off when I put it in?

Yes, switch it all off, unplug put on a table somewhere away from static and commence surgery

You'd better report back or I'll think you've killed your laptop

I think I've done it....how do I find out what memory is installed?

Thanks so much for your help!

Go to the start menu
Select 'control panel'
Double click on the 'system' icon
that should open up a box with tabs
Under the 'general' tab there should be a list of system details which will tell you how much RAM you have installed.

Did you have two slots then?

This is probably a bit of the blind leading the blind - there's probably some computer buff reading this thinking 'god, what a cack-handed way of doing it' but hey

Was it that scary???

There were 2 slots yes! Good old Toshiba

T'was a bit scary as you need to apply a fair bit of pressure to get it to click into place, plus had a slight issue getting the back panel off LOL

Thanks for the tips ref checking memory installation; it shows it's been correctly installed so that's good!

WooHoo! - I have a Toshiba now so hopefully if it lasts long enough to require an upgrade it will be a cheaper option than in the past.

Blimen thing drives me mad though...not sure how long it will be before I throw it out the window in a moment of idiotic rage

What model have you got?

So far I'm reasonably happy with mine

errrrrr.....dunno equium possibly.

It's fine apart from the stupid mouse pad which does very strange things - likes to minimise and maximise the window at any opportunity - probably operator error but never had that problem with my other laptops. I know of two others who have the same model and they won't use the mouse pad at all because they have the same problem.

Keyboard has issues too but it has had a rough life in this house

memory can be a fiddly thing....

go here www.crucial.com/uk/

run the scanner tool and it will tell you the following

• number of slots
• what you have installed in each slot
• memory type

This will answer 99% of your questions on one screen... fyi it is worth noting that pretty much all notebooks come with 2 slots... they just hide the second one on top of the motherboard whcih is unfortunetly under the keyboard... 6-8 screws later you will find it..

FYI - memory is static sensitive so you should really earth the PC and wear an antistatic wrist strap when making this upgrade... personally I do not bother as i have a low body capacitance but I know people who can kill circuit boards from 10 paces!!