Ram it, Baby!

My old Dell Inspirion 5100 was running slow.  I met with a computer repair guy and asked him to add some RAM.  Instead I got an $85 "clean up" job.  He ran a few programs they all have and sent me the bill.  I have been looking for a new repair guy but they are in short supply; many hire people to help them that don't know what they are doing and charge the same rate.  Raking it in.  Raking us over. 

Our real estate group has a great technical hotline.  They sent me a very good article on how to check to see if your computer needs more memory and how to buy and install it if the checkup says you could use a little more RAM...(Not a 'Friend With Benefits').

THE ARTICLE:

"Let's review the two types of memory computers operate off of - RAM (Random Access Memory) and hard drive memory. Understanding their differences will help you determine if one needs to be upgraded.

RAM versus hard drive memory

The hard drive memory is the long term, permanent memory. It is where all files, photos, music, and other permanent files are stored. This memory is measured in Gigabytes (GB) and is usually much higher than RAM because it is the storage capacity for the entire machine.



RAM is the short term memory which helps increase the speed of the computer. When you open a file, the computer must store the data somewhere temporarily to access it. So it writes the data to RAM temporarily for quick access. The more RAM your computer has, the faster you can access files and programs. RAM is typically measured in (MB) Megabytes or (GB) Gigabytes depending on the size of the computer chip.



How much RAM does your computer need? 512MB is typically the standard for XP machines. If you're on a Vista machine then 2GB is the minimum. Unless you're a gamer, then these amounts should be sufficient for your needs. Be sure you look at the requirements before installing any new program or game to ensure you have enough RAM.

How do you know if you need more RAM?

There are some common signs you should be aware of, for example, slower than normal speed when accessing normal programs or files. This could be a gradual process or it could happen overnight.



Another closely related sign that your RAM is running low is if you're experiencing display problems. These can range from Internet pages that only load partially or nothing at all, and can even affect your own saved files. For example, if you try to open a document and see blank spaces where text or images should be displayed, this might tell you it's a RAM problem.



One of the most obvious signs is notifications that pop up in your computer saying "low memory" or "out of memory." If this happens, you definitely need to add more RAM soon or delete old programs.

Use the Task Manager

A better way to find out if you need more RAM is to compare your Total Physical Memory (memory installed) and your Total Commit Charge (total memory being used), you can determine whether or not you need to add more RAM. Find these details by opening your Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Delete), select Task Manager, and click the Performance tab.



If your peak is lower than Total Physical Memory, then you don't need more RAM. If your peak is higher than Total Physical Memory, then you do need more RAM. If the Total Commit Charge is higher than the Total Physical Memory, more memory would give you a significant performance boost.



Also note that the measurements are in (K) Kilobytes. Since most RAM is measured in (MB) Megabytes, you'll want to convert the measurements. To convert (K) Kilobytes to (MB) Megabytes, simply divide the Kilobytes by 1024.

Use an online memory advisor

For those who don't want to mess with the math, you should consult an online memory advisor tool who will do the work for you. Crucial Technology will tell you what type of RAM you need and how much.



If you determine you need more RAM, you can do it yourself, or take it to a professional, where you can expect to pay anywhere from $30 to 100 for time and labor. But there are reputable websites that can help you do it yourself. You can find step-by-step instructions here. "

SOURCE:  http://view.email.reisinnovations.com/?j=fe581675716302757610&m=fef1127571620d&ls=fde1107574620d79721d797d&l=fe8f1c70746c0d7f71&s=fe3116737565027c711c75&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe31167174640075721477