Doing the very least you can do .........................................................
Nearly all modern laptops have an easily accessible hatch on their bottom
that can be opened to reveal slots that accept industry standard memory
modules. If a slot is open, you can just insert a new module, close the door,
and turn the machine back on. (I guess I forgot to remind you once more to
always turn off your laptop, remove its battery, and unplug the AC adapter
before performing anywork under the covers. There: You have been
reminded.) Check the specifications for your laptop or examine the actual
memory modules in place to determine the type and speed you need for an
upgrade. The major memory makers or distributors have Web sites you can
visit that help you look up your particular machine.In 2006, nearly all new laptops use tiny 200-pin SODIMM modules. The next
issue is the bus speed; most common is PC-2700, followed by slightly slower
PC-2100 RAM. And finally, most memory modules for laptops are Non-ECC,
meaning they don’t include extra circuitry for error correction; a dwindling
percentage of laptops insist on the slightly more expensive ECC memory.
Older laptops used slightly larger sticks of memory, including 144-pin
SODIMMs. A moduleis a small circuit board that holds one or more pieces of
memory and installs into a slot connected to the motherboard. Each com-
puter also has a bus speed,which is the speed limit for data moving between
the memory and microprocessor, and the microprocessor to internal devices.Your assignment is to match what you already have in place. You cannot mix
Non-ECC with ECC memory, and you cannot put anything other than a 200-pin
SODIMM module in a slot built for that size circuit.The only gray area involves speed. If your machine’s motherboard is built to use
PC-2700 RAM, you get the best performance by using memory of that speed; if
you install slower PC-2100 RAM, the laptop should work, but all memory oper-
ates at the slower rate. Conversely, if the motherboard is built for PC-2100,
buying PC-2700 RAM is a waste of money and mightcause operational problems.Here are some Web sites for memory manufacturers and distributors for
research or purchase. You also find memory configuration information at the
Web sites of major computer retailers, including CompUSA, PC Connection,
and others.Crucial Technologiesat http://www.crucial.comKingston Technologyat http://www.kingston.com
PNY Technologiesat http://www.pny.comSimpleTechat http://www.simpletech.com
Smart Modular Technologiesat http://www.smartm.com84 Part II: Explaining What Could Possibly Go Wrong