[Ham-Computers] Asking for help upgrading memory

[Dave 'Doc' Corio]

    I was sort of hoping it might be a bit simpler than that. We're a 
little on the rural side, here, and the closest thing we have to a 
"techno-geek" is Mr. Haney, the guy who climbs the pole when we need to 
make a phone call. Why, just last week, I carpeted the bathroom, and the 
XYL liked it so much, I have to run it all the way up to the house now!

    Seriously, I did try the Gateway thing first, and you're right - 
their recommendation is to only use theirs, which is priced twice as 
high (and by the way, they're almost OUT of it, so I'd better buy it NOW!!)

    I was really hoping that there could only be one type of 512Mb, 
PC5300, DDR2, 667Mhz SDRAM. That I can get for almost a song.

Tnx es 73
Dave
KB3MOW


Duane Fischer, W8DBF wrote:
> Dave,
>
> Problem number one is Gateway. They are not consistent in what they 
> put into the same model of computers. Whatever is cheaper, goes in. 
> That is, if brand XYZ hard drives were less expensive then the ABC 
> brand they ran out of, they buy the XYZ brand. The same is true of the 
> RAM in the computers.
>
> So the first thing you must determine Dave, is precisely what brand, 
> type and specifications of RAM are presently in your computer. Then 
> make sure what you add to your system matches the current RAM specs 
> exactly. Mixing and matching can be very dangerous! You really need to 
> know computers from an engineering standpoint to do that safely.
>
> I suspect, but do not know for sure, that if you call Gateway and ask, 
> they will "insist" you buy "only Gateway memory" etc.
>
> If I were you, Dave, I would find a local Ham who was a computer 
> wizard, or a five year old kindergarten student!, and ask them to help 
> you. Failing in finding such a person, then look around for a teenager 
> who is seriously into computers in a local high school. Some of these 
> kids know more then the computer class instructors by far!
>
> If you have high school, even junior high/middle school, children, ask 
> them. Or teenage grandchildren living locally. Ask in your church etc.
>
> While most computer users nowadays know almost nothing about software, 
> programming or hardware, and can only point and click a mouse, some 
> are brilliant in Computer Science! They are generally thrilled to help 
> you Dave, and money is the farthest thing from their minds. They just 
> love the challenge and enjoy being helpful.
>
> Having said that, be "sure" the person truly knows what he/she is 
> doing before letting them touch your computer!
>
> It is because Gateway does so much of this mixing of components in 
> computers that more than normal care needs to be taken to be sure you 
> get the correct part. Good luck!
>
>
> Duane Fischer, W8DBF/WPE8CXO
> dfischer at usol.com
> HHI: Halligan's Hallicrafters International
> http://www.w9wze.net
> HHRP: Historic Halligan Radio Project
> hhrp.w9wze.net
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave 'Doc' Corio" 
> <dcorio at zitomedia.net>
> To: <ham-computers at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, August 18, 2007 7:43 PM
> Subject: [Ham-Computers] Asking for help upgrading memory
>
>
>>    I'm planning to add 1G of memory to the 1G that is already in my 
>> Gateway desktop, model S-5405D
>>    According to Gateway, whet I need is two of the following....
>>    512Mb  PC5300  DDR2  667 Mhz  SDRAM
>>
>>    What I found on newegg.com is
>>
>>    Corsair 1Gb  (2 X 512Mb)  240 pin  DDR2  667  (PC2 5300)
>>
>>    This seems to match exactly, but the number of pins on the memory 
>> I already have is unknown to me.
>>
>>    Can anyone tell me if this is, in fact, what I'm looking for?
>>
>> Tnx es 73
>> Dave
>> KB3MOW
>>
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>
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