A few questions about RAM?

Question

My computer is slowly dying, and until I can build one, I just need to help this one survive. So a couple of questions:

My comp right now can handle 1 gig of RAM, split between two spots. If I put in more than that, what happens? Like if I put in 2 gigs, will the computer explode?

I love the case, so I want to rebuild a computer in the case. The motherboard model decides how much RAM you can handle, correct?

I want more RAM since I want Vista Business. I can get it for free from my college - since I take computer classes, they give anything available to them to the students for personal use for free. I just can't get it right now with the specs I have. (I have 640 MB RAM. I didn't even know until I checked; my computer guy is bad. I'm upgrading it myself next time as when I say I want more RAM, I mean I want maximum, not cheapest.)

Answer 1

Vista Business can handle up to 4 GB of RAM, but your motherboard might not.  If you put in too much RAM, or use a combo the board doesn't support, the PC probably won't boot up properly, but it won't damage anything either.  So long as you use stick with DDR memory (you can likely use any speed, not just 333), you should be fine.  

PS: HP's website should also be able to tell you which combinations of RAM are valid for your computer.  For example, a computer with 4 RAM slots might support 4 GB max, but it may be limited to 1 GB per memory slot.

Answer 2

you MUST call your computer maker n ask them specifically..you cant put intoo much RAM but you can put in the wrong size...ram has to work wit the hd, cpu, etc..

Answer 3

My comp right now can handle 1 gig of RAM, split between two spots. If I put in more than that, what happens? Like if I put in 2 gigs, will the computer explode?

> If you put more than the capacity limit only 2 things can happen.

  1. The computer won't recognize the Ram module and won't boot up.

  2. The computer won't use all the Ram memory, in other words only

      what the slots capacity is allowed will be recognized. In your case  

      512 Mbs.

> No the computer won't explode

I have. (I have 640 MB RAM)

> You have a 512 Ram module and a 128 Ram module installed in

> your computer which adds up to 640 mbs.

> You need to replace the 128 mb module with a 512 Ram module.

>  This will give you the motherboard's maximum Ram capacity limit  

>  of 1 gig.

>  The worst the motherboard can do is reject the Ram module you  

>  install on it by not booting up the System. No harm should result  

>  from adding to much Ram or even the wrong Ram stick. The  

>  system will either accept or reject it.

Answer 4

You can go here and click on "Scan my system" and see what ram upgrade options you have.

http://www.crucial.com

It appears your computer guy added a 512 stick to the 128 stick you had. Would be simply yanking the 128 stick and putting another 512 stick in. If you can run 1GB sticks in each slot then I suggest you go with a 2GB kit with Vista.

Just because your rig came with  PC2700(333) that doesn't mean the guy put 333 in. Make sure that 512 stick is 333 before you add another 512 stick. If he put slower PC2100(266) in you may want to replace both sticks with 2 sticks of PC2700 for crisper performance.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...

As far as someone saying your cpu wont be compatible with Vista Business--??? I'm sure the free version of Business the college is giving out is the 32bit flavor. All versions of Vista, even Basic, come in both 32bit and 64bit.

Answer 5

for installing vista you need to have atleast 1 gb RAM but try anything which you have not done earlier so just call a repairman and he can add up more ram to your pc.

Answer 6

If you put in more ram than the motherboard will handle, it will not read the added ram but will not harm your computer.

Go to www.crucial.com and run a scan of the system

Answer 7

Well, Yes Your MotherBoard Does Contradict How Much Ram You Can Have, But Looking At The Comp Specs Your Showing, Your First Priority Would To Buy A New PC :(

DDR1 Is Very Very Old, And They Are Releasing DDR3 As We Speak

You Can Pick Up A really Decent PC That Will Last You A Good 5-6 years, For Around 200-300$ You Just Need To Look Into Barebone Systems. You Can Find A Few Companies That Sell BareBones Like TigerDirect.com And MagicMicro.com . I Just Bought My New Gaming PC From Magic Micro And It Cost Me Around 600$, But Yours Should Cost No Where Near That If All You Intend To Do Is Us It For Business And What Now. And Also The Vista Version You Want Will Probably Not Be Compatible With Your Processor You Need A Pretty Respectable Processor And 2+Gs of RAM to run A 64bit OS.

Hope It Helped :)))