Getting fried. If the laptop’s AC adapter or other internal electrical compo-
nents fails, a voltage spike may pass through the motherboard, reaching
the RAM modules in their connectors. If this rare occurrence happens,
your memory modules will probably be the least of your problems —
most everything else along the way is likely to be damaged beyond repair.
Components can also bet bakedby overheating. All electrical components
generate heat, especially high-speed microprocessors and memory.
Laptops include small fans that are supposed to exhaust some of the
heat; in most designs the fans are to turn on when heat builds and shut
off to save power when not needed. If the fan fails or if the laptop’s vents
are blocked, internal parts can be damaged. Get in the habit of checking
the fan’s operation regularly, and quickly turn off any machine that pro-
duces a burning odor. An overheating laptop is a machine due for a service
visit to a technician.If concerned that your machine’s internal cooling system is insufficient
for your needs (or if you work in a particularly hot environment), pur-
chase an external fan system that sits beneath the computer and
increases airflow. One such product is the Vantec LapCool, which
attaches to the computer’s USB port for power (and adds a four-port
USB hub in compensation). This sort of external cooling should help
most laptops, although the extra fan draws precious battery power and
adds another piece of hardware to your traveling bag.
Getting shocked. Any electronic component can be damaged or destroyed
by electrostatic shock. The memory modules should be properly protected
inside their closed container on the bottom of case. They are at risk any
time you remove the cover and any time you handle them. Make sure you
ground yourself before touching any memory module.Getting disconnected. It shouldn’t happenbut a memory module can
work its way out of its connector. Make sure you ground yourself before
touching the modules and reseating them.Dying of natural causes
All things come to an end, and though I’ve already stated that a memory
module — if it works when you first plug it in — is likely to outlast the rest
of the laptop, that doesn’t mean it might not die of natural causes. A typical
claim for MTBF (mean time between failures) for RAM is about seven years,
which takes into account (sorry for the insensitivity but here’s what they
call it) infant mortality.
If a machine’s RAM was working one day and suddenly stops working the
next, ask yourself the questions under “You recently changed the computer
configuration.” If nothing untoward has occurred since the laptop last
worked properly, perform the checks suggested. Look to see if the modules
Chapter 6: Brain Matters: Memory, Microprocessors, and BIOS 97