I need to know how to put more memory in my computer.

I read about the new web pages thingie, and it will be turned off for those with only a 256 memory. The web pages will be, at least - not sure of the putting messages on prims, which is what I especially want to be able to do. Now, none of these things is for certain to appear at any time with any update, but they are on the way.

It's bad enough that I miss shiny, but I sure don't want to miss this. I have a Dell Dimension 4400, three years old. Please someone tell me how to add memory to it. I hate doing surgery on my computer, but Dell has made me do it before, concerning the modem, so I should be able to follow clear instructions.

Like: What do I buy? Where do I buy it? How do I put it in the computer? What do I do then? What is it likely to screw up and how can I avoid that or fix it if it does screw it up?

Numbered steps would work well for me, if someone could provide them please. Really basic numbered steps, like:

1. Check computer for this that and the other. Write down this that and the other.

2. To to X store. Purchase X. If X is not available, purchase Y.

3. Go home.

4. Have a Diet Coke and get courage up.

5. Take X out of box . . .

etc.

I'm sure this can be done, and pretty sure that even I can do it; I'm just not sure how to do it.

Thank you very much in advance!

cocododo

The simplest way really, is to grab a book when you get the memory......(or prior to, so you can work out what you need!)
My husband used to do all of the comp maintenance....then I started experimenting on an older computer. Bought the "Dummies" books, and more recently, the Haynes Computer Manual, and since then have done all of my own upgrades, including over the past couple of months, replacing the power supply, replacing the processor heat sink, adding a new graphics card, replacing a hard drive, and adding memory. I'd have to say that adding the memory was just about the easiest of the lot.....especially with XP installed.
Also, a quick Google (I typed in "adding computer memory step by step guides" produced a heap of pages with picture guides.
Hope that helps... Take the plunge!!!

Memory is actually one of the simpler things to install. The main problem is type; there's several kinds of memory standards that have come and gone, and sometimes you'll find you have the wrong end of the bargain.

Ultimately, just learn what kind of chip your machine uses - information that should be in your owner's manual if you bought the Dell new, otherwise you can get it from their website - go to your favorite computer parts emporium - or even an Office Max/Staples - tell them what you want, open up your computer, look for the chips that look a lot like the ones you bought, plug the new ones in or replace (depending on if you have empty memory slots or not) and things will generally take care of themselves.

That said, if you want more detailed information looking at a "... For Dummies!" style book works, but really nowadays computer hardware is just grown-up LEGO. All the *really* hard stuff is in software.

Cocoa,

On the back of your Dell, you will find a service number..usually a number followed by 3 or 4 letters and then a couple more numbers.

Write that down...then go to www.dell.com and go to support for your dell. There is a place there for you to put your service tag in...when you do that, you will find access to all the how to's you need...and you will find out what kind of memory you need.

I just had to upgrade my rambus ram...ugh...expensive stuff if you get it from dell, but I got mine on ebay for about $200 less than it was priced on dell...it works great and I can see shiney now!

Hope that helps.

Go here... tell it what kind of Dell you have, and it should tell you exactly what type memory you need.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listProductLine.asp?cat=RAM&mfr=Dell&submit=Go

Once you've got the correct memory, it's a simple case of opening up your case, and looking for something that looks very similar to the memory stick you just bought (your existing memory!), and finding an empty slot next to it. Push your new memory stick in to the empty socket (it only fits one way around), and the job's done

Just be very very careful not to touch *any* exposed circuitry on the insides of your PC (or on the memory stick you buy) while you work. Static electricity from the human body can kill PCs. It's best to go and touch something big and metallic just before you start work (like your domestic water pipework, for example) as this helps discharge any static you have about your person.

Just as long as you're careful where you stick your fingers, it's an easy upgrade

Well, this doesn't sound to hard! I didn't know there were dummies books on it, or that you could get info from the Dell site. My fingers are small and dextrous, so no problem there. I've just gotta have this new messages-on-a-prim stuff when it comes out. I didn't realize it could be that expensive, though.

Thanks, guys!

coco

Not quite so simple...my dell didn't come up on that site cuz it uses Rambus ram...had I not known that, I would be lost.

Also, if you're adding ram (at least in a dell) you have to put the bigger MB ram in the first slots...and move the lesser ram into next slots.