Installing RAM Help

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

I currently have a five year old Compaq computer running Windows ME with
128mb or ram. More and more my computer is crashing. The max ram I can
install is 512.

Ok, here is my problem. I have not opened up the case at all for the
last five years until today. I had no need to open it up plus I did not
want to mess up anything inside.

Well, I have had it with my computer crashing. I want to install 512mb
or ram. So today I opened up the case for the first time to find the ram
area. Just about everything was covered with dust (five years worth.) I
think I have one just one bank of ram installed (128mb). There is another
opening for another bank or ram. The one bank with the 128mb is covered
with dust but the other unused ram part is not covered. What I want to do
is pull the 128mb out and replace it with a 256mb bank, plus put another
256mb bank in the unused ram part.

What I'm worried about is the dust. If I pull the 128mb out that's
covered with dust I'm worried I might accidentally shove dust when I install
the 256mb.

So, what do I need to do? Use compressed air to clean it the dust? Is
there a certain way I should clean it? What about just blowing air from my
mouth and blow the dust off?

What's the best way to tackle this?

Thanks!

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

Start by getting a can of compressed air and a soft artist's paint brush. Use
the paint brush to gently break loose the dust that is sticking to all the parts
inside the case. Then take the computer outside and repeatedly blow the dust
out from the case, until there is no more dust. Pay extra attention to the
rotating fans, the one that cools the processor and the one that is inside the
power supply. You can gently pick up large dust bunnies and remove them with
your fingers.

Once you've cleaned out all the dust, it is possible your computer may not crash
any more. Dust prevents the system from cooling itself properly, and the
crashes may be caused by overheating.

In addition to adding memory, there are a lot of other maintenance tasks
necessary to keep a system running smoothly. If you are running Windows 98 or
later, look for System Cleanup among the system tools. Delete whatever files it
may find. This should help somewhat... Ben Myers

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 02:42:02 GMT, "Von Fourche" <monaco6178@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> I currently have a five year old Compaq computer running Windows ME with
>128mb or ram. More and more my computer is crashing. The max ram I can
>install is 512.
>
> Ok, here is my problem. I have not opened up the case at all for the
>last five years until today. I had no need to open it up plus I did not
>want to mess up anything inside.
>
> Well, I have had it with my computer crashing. I want to install 512mb
>or ram. So today I opened up the case for the first time to find the ram
>area. Just about everything was covered with dust (five years worth.) I
>think I have one just one bank of ram installed (128mb). There is another
>opening for another bank or ram. The one bank with the 128mb is covered
>with dust but the other unused ram part is not covered. What I want to do
>is pull the 128mb out and replace it with a 256mb bank, plus put another
>256mb bank in the unused ram part.
>
> What I'm worried about is the dust. If I pull the 128mb out that's
>covered with dust I'm worried I might accidentally shove dust when I install
>the 256mb.
>
> So, what do I need to do? Use compressed air to clean it the dust? Is
>there a certain way I should clean it? What about just blowing air from my
>mouth and blow the dust off?
>
> What's the best way to tackle this?
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

<ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
news:42d0a345.2756332@nntp.charter.net...
> Start by getting a can of compressed air and a soft artist's paint brush.
Use
> the paint brush to gently break loose the dust that is sticking to all the
parts
> inside the case. Then take the computer outside and repeatedly blow the
dust
> out from the case, until there is no more dust. Pay extra attention to
the
> rotating fans, the one that cools the processor and the one that is inside
the
> power supply. You can gently pick up large dust bunnies and remove them
with
> your fingers.
>
> Once you've cleaned out all the dust, it is possible your computer may not
crash
> any more. Dust prevents the system from cooling itself properly, and the
> crashes may be caused by overheating.
>
> In addition to adding memory, there are a lot of other maintenance tasks
> necessary to keep a system running smoothly. If you are running Windows
98 or
> later, look for System Cleanup among the system tools. Delete whatever
files it
> may find. This should help somewhat... Ben Myers




Would it be safe to just install a 256 bank or ram and keep the 128mb
ram in place (totaling 384mb)? Would that cause any more problems if I
mixed up the ram?

Another thing, instead of ordered off the web I was just going to get
some memory at Circuit City. Does it really matter where I get my memory?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

I'm not sure what is the largest capacity DIMM your system will take. The HPaq
web site says nothing useful about your specific model. RSVP with the processor
type (Pentium II, Pentium III, Celeron, Athlon) and socket type, and I'll be
able to give you an educated guess.

As a rule, older motherboards accept low-density DIMM memory with more chips.
Newer motherboards are not as particular. Lacking any other information, I
would look to get PC133 DIMMs with low-density memory. PC133 usually works in
motherboards designed for PC100, but not vice versa... Ben Myers

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 16:57:57 GMT, "Von Fourche" <monaco6178@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
><ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
>news:42d0a345.2756332@nntp.charter.net...
>> Start by getting a can of compressed air and a soft artist's paint brush.
>Use
>> the paint brush to gently break loose the dust that is sticking to all the
>parts
>> inside the case. Then take the computer outside and repeatedly blow the
>dust
>> out from the case, until there is no more dust. Pay extra attention to
>the
>> rotating fans, the one that cools the processor and the one that is inside
>the
>> power supply. You can gently pick up large dust bunnies and remove them
>with
>> your fingers.
>>
>> Once you've cleaned out all the dust, it is possible your computer may not
>crash
>> any more. Dust prevents the system from cooling itself properly, and the
>> crashes may be caused by overheating.
>>
>> In addition to adding memory, there are a lot of other maintenance tasks
>> necessary to keep a system running smoothly. If you are running Windows
>98 or
>> later, look for System Cleanup among the system tools. Delete whatever
>files it
>> may find. This should help somewhat... Ben Myers
>
>
>
>
> Would it be safe to just install a 256 bank or ram and keep the 128mb
>ram in place (totaling 384mb)? Would that cause any more problems if I
>mixed up the ram?
>
> Another thing, instead of ordered off the web I was just going to get
>some memory at Circuit City. Does it really matter where I get my memory?
>
>
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

<ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
news:42d16eb9.18554453@nntp.charter.net...
> I'm not sure what is the largest capacity DIMM your system will take. The
HPaq
> web site says nothing useful about your specific model. RSVP with the
processor
> type (Pentium II, Pentium III, Celeron, Athlon) and socket type, and I'll
be
> able to give you an educated guess.


It's a Pentium III 850MHz. I have no idea what the socket type is.

I think instead of rushing out and buying ram the first thing I will do
is clean the inside out. Get some compressed air and start dusting. I just
don't want to hurt any of the circuits on the mother board.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.compaq (More info?)

A Pentium III running at 850MHz indicates a board capable of accepting 256MB
DIMMs of the right type. PC133 with 16 chips, 8 to a side, should work well.
Non-parity, non-ECC, non-registered. In other words, garden variety.

But, yes, a good cleaning is in order first... Ben Myers

On Sun, 10 Jul 2005 19:42:08 GMT, "Von Fourche" <monaco6178@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
><ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben Myers)> wrote in message
>news:42d16eb9.18554453@nntp.charter.net...
>> I'm not sure what is the largest capacity DIMM your system will take. The
>HPaq
>> web site says nothing useful about your specific model. RSVP with the
>processor
>> type (Pentium II, Pentium III, Celeron, Athlon) and socket type, and I'll
>be
>> able to give you an educated guess.
>
>
> It's a Pentium III 850MHz. I have no idea what the socket type is.
>
> I think instead of rushing out and buying ram the first thing I will do
>is clean the inside out. Get some compressed air and start dusting. I just
>don't want to hurt any of the circuits on the mother board.
>
>