To install memory in your computer, you are going to need a screwdriver. Check the back of your computer to see what kind you will need. If your computer is still on, you will need to turn it off before you even start. Take anything that you may have hooked up to the computer out from its connection ports. Put the computer on a good working surface so that you can begin. Before you take your screws out of your computer case, you are going to need to ground yourself by touching your computer. I would not recommend doing this only wearing socks if you are standing on carpet, because if you walk to some other place in your home, then go back to working on your computer, the moment you touch the computer you will get a shock.

Take all of your screws out of the back of your computer and put them in a safe place, so that you don't misplace or lose these small items. Now you must remove the cover from the computer. Different models require that you remove it in different ways. To find out exactly how to remove your case, check your manual. You will see memory already installed in your computer and also free slots for more memory. Take a note of how many free slots are left, so that the next time you need more memory, you will know how many slots you have left.

Look at the memory that is already installed. Notice how it is put there as this is exactly how you are going to install your new memory. If you have your memory already, place it in a free slot the same way round as you see the existing card. Just gently press the memory into its slot and it should snap into place. Do not force it. If it won't snap into place easily, you may have the wrong type of memory.

If you think that you have the wrong type, just look at the memory already installed and take a note of its markings, then go to your computer store and get that kind of memory.

Now that your memory is installed, take a moment to get any dust out of your computer. Next get your case cover and place it back on the computer, but do not put the screws back just yet. Hook up your monitor, boot up the computer and pay attention to the first screen. This will tell you if computer notices the new memory. Once you see that the memory is noted, put the screws back in their places.

To test your memory once you have your computer running, try using a game that normally slows down the computer. You can also try running lots of programs at once and see how many you can run before you notice a slow down. Remember memory is cheap and you can always buy more and install it the same way. It is available in different sizes so if you plan on buying more, try to get the largest possible as this will give you more memory for the available slots.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Computer Memory