adding memory to a laptop Forums

olley · Campsite DB Admin

Hi guys I have just ordered a 1gig sodimm for an acer aspire 1360, can I simply remove one of the existing two 256mb chips and fit it giving me 1256mb? or has the memory got to be matched?

Thanks Olley

Crackle

Hi Olley

In my recent experience of Dell's and IBM's, no.

I can't think of any machines that do require matching memory these days but you just watch someone come along and prove me wrong!

Tim

MikeE

Should be able to replace one of the 256 modules with a 1 gig one - I had a 256 and a 512 operating together on my Vaio. Your operating system needs to be able to access more than 1 gig of course (Windows ME and later are OK)

Mike

spykal · Moderator

Hi olley

All the answers in one place

olley · Campsite DB Admin

Thanks guys, Acer says it can use up to 2 gig and I am running xp so all should be ok.

Wonder what difference it will make?

Olley

MikeE

Depends what you're doing with it Smile

- but it will probably make your machine run much faster. Increasing RAM is probably the single most important factor in speeding up a computer - especially for operating systems like XP

Mike

artona · Moderator

Hi Ian

Pop in and see Peter mate, his techy will sort it for you, hope you are well

stew

ActiveCampers

Generally you can mix and match in laptops - I've not had any new ones (even Dells as mentioned earlier) where you can't mix & match sizes. Mine Dell at work has 256+1024.

Generally its a piece of cake - but - a laptop is the only thing I've ever blown up Smile

Only one week old - a Toshiba. Oops. Claimed DOA - this was due to leaving the battery in.

So my advice for changing RAM is to unplug laptop from mains, remove battery and wait 30s+. Then earth yourself. To be honest - I only bother with the latter on my own stuff, at work no one bothers. (Case of do as we say - not as we do Smile

). Then replace RAM as per manual

Good luck.

olley · Campsite DB Admin

Hi stew as I am loafing about recovering, I sent susan down there, he doesn't have any Crying or Very sad

Maybe the fluctuations in price and lack of demand don't make it worthwhile.

Its no problem to fit it, but all my upgrading experiance has been on towers, and none since about 2000. Hence my query, as the older memory (simms?) had to be matched.

Thanks ryan good tip about the battery.

Olley