Question about upgrading memory Installing and Upgrading Vista Discuss Question about upgrading memory in the Windows Vista forums; Hi again, sorry I've been gone for so long. Been busy with a new store (online) and crafting (making jewelry). I want to add an extra 2 gigs of ...

[Vistanoob]

Hi again, sorry I've been gone for so long. Been busy with a new store (online) and crafting (making jewelry).
I want to add an extra 2 gigs of RAM to my Acer AST180 desktop pc and want to know if I should move the 2 existing 512 MB sticks to the last 2 slots (A3 and A4) before adding the each of the 2 new 1 GB sticks, which would then go into A1 and A2 where the existing RAM is located? Does the order of capacity make a difference? I never got any manual to speak of, and am still looking for documentation. I have the speed right and the type of RAM (DDR2 pc 4200), just not sure about how to install it in the right order on the board.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[Znod]

I take it that your slots are not color coded. I would just put the RAM in the open slots assuming the machine is the way it came from the factory. The order could make a probably unnoticable difference if you are running dual channel. Here is a good RAM read.

[Vistanoob]

Thanks for getting back to me.I am running in dual channel and my slots are color coded, but the reason I asked about the order was because I had read that on some motherboards the order makes a difference. I would much rather just install the new RAM without moving the other around. This will be my first hands-on upgrade so the simpler the better. I have tons of theory but little actual practice yet. Excellent read on RAM too, thanks again.

[Znod]

I think you will be fine as long as you match the pairs in the color coded slots. Let us know. Good luck, although you shouldn't need luck on this one. But, on the other hand, computer things are hard to predict perfectly.

[Vistanoob]

Thanks, still haven't done it, but as soon as it warms up a bit and the humidity in here picks up a bit I will. I will definately let you know how it goes. I agree that one can never totally predict what will happen with computer stuff, and me being a relative newbie in the practical end at least, like to have all my ducks in a row before I go ahead.

[Znod]

You are very welcome.

[Vistanoob]

First hands on hardware upgrade went smooth as could be. I just installed it in the other two slots and when I booted up it was recognized instantly. I noticed a real increase in speed at boot-up immediately. Thanks for the help, and I'm so glad I've finally done it. The air is still really dry, but I used an anit-static wrist band and was fine.

[Znod]

Super. Now you are a system builder.

[Vistanoob]

Thanks for the title. One day for sure I'll build my own rig and truly qualify. To me booting up my own custom built system the first time and having it work will be a wonderful feeling. If not, I'll learn how to troubleshoot.

[Znod]

Agreed. And, one day I may build a system.