How to Troubleshoot RAM Installations
Published: September 21, 2004
A computer can never run too fast or perform too well—that's just the law of the land. That being the case, it isn't surprising that I regularly get calls and e-mail messages from friends and family members complaining that their computers are performing poorly or running too slowly. My first reaction is to tell them to do a little maintenance. Delete unnecessary files and programs; see what applications are running in the background that they don't need; and run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter. In other words, take two aspirin and call me in the morning. If problems persist, I ask about the age of the computer and the amount of random access memory (RAM) they have installed.
RAM is one of the most crucial elements installed in the computer. RAM temporarily holds data that applications need, and applications use RAM to perform tasks quickly. The more RAM a system has the less it has to access the hard drive to swap out data, the longer the hard drive will last, and the faster the system will perform. For more information about how this all works or to weigh the pros and cons of different RAM manufacturers, read Jason Dunn's article, Computer RAM: A Crucial Component in Video Editing.
If you do decide you need more RAM, you have to figure out how much you can add, what type you need, where to buy it, and how to install it. I'll answer those questions in this column.
How Much RAM Do You Need?
Most new off-the-shelf computers come with 256 MB (or more) of RAM, and 256 MB is the minimum you should have to run Windows XP. Although the System Requirements page suggests 128 MB or higher, if you only have the minimum amount, you'll run into problems with third-party software and when working with large files. Just because Windows XP can run on 128 MB of RAM doesn't mean all third-party programs can. For instance, Adobe Photoshop CS requires 192 MB of RAM (256 MB is recommended), and without it, the program either will not install properly or will not work properly once installed.
Third-party software isn't the only reason to have extra RAM though. Movie Maker 2 recommends 256 MB to function as its best. That's because applications need a place to store data temporarily while you're editing a photo or rendering a movie, or even printing a file or picture, and that temporary storage area is RAM. When RAM gets full, data gets swapped out of RAM to the hard drive to make room for the incoming data. Getting the old data back from the hard drive takes much longer than getting it from RAM, so when this happens there's a noticeable slowdown.
The RAM issue in a nutshell: if you have less than 512 MB of RAM on your Windows XP-based computer and you use any of the media tools that come with Windows XP including Windows Media Player and Movie Maker, or if you use third-party image editing tools, or run multiple programs at once, you probably need more RAM. And if you only have 128 MB of RAM and can't add more, avoid running multiple programs at once and editing large image files.
Tips on Installing Ram
You must have available open memory slots to add memory. In extreme cases when only one slot exists, you may have to remove a 256-MB memory module to add a 512-MB one.
Once you have the correct RAM, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for installing it. These instructions can be found on the manufacturer's Web site or in the manual that came with your computer. In some instances, installing your own RAM will void the warranty, so it's important to make sure you understand the rules before starting the procedure. If you don't have a manual, if the computer is homemade (generic), you'll need to follow the guidelines that come with the RAM itself. For the most part, the procedure is as follows:
1. | Turn off the computer, monitor, and all accessories, including printers, speakers, and external hard disks. |
2. | With the computer plugged in, touch a metal part of the computer case to ground yourself so you don't "shock" any of the computer's internal parts. |
3. | Open the computer case using the appropriate tools, remove the cover, and remove the existing memory if necessary, usually by pressing down on the retaining clips at the ends of the memory module and pulling the module toward you. |
4. | Remove the new memory module from the anti-static bag and hold it by its edges. |
5. | Locate the open memory slots, and find the lowest numbered slot if more than one exists. If no numbers are shown, use the slot closest to the already installed memory. |
6. | Open the retaining clips if necessary, and place the memory in the open slot. The memory module may go straight in, or it may have to be tilted first and then installed by popping it at a 45-degree angle. |
7. | Turn your computer back on, and verify the memory is displayed on your startup screen. If your startup screen is hidden, right-click My Computer, click Properties, click the General tab, and verify the memory is recognized. |
8. | Carefully replace the cover if the memory is recognized and the computer seems to be functioning correctly. |
For detailed installation instructions for any memory module, including digital pictures of each step involved, visit Crucial's installation pages.
How to Spot Problems and Find Solutions
After installing the new RAM, if the RAM is not recognized by your system, or if you get a long beep or sequence of beeps at startup, you'll have to do some troubleshooting. Most problems are caused by purchasing the wrong memory, installing it incorrectly, or damaging the memory module by handling it improperly.
More advanced problems exist too, especially with older computers and when memory banks are involved. When a computer's motherboard uses memory banks, it may require that two identical modules be installed in the two slots of a single memory bank, and installing two different models will cause problems. Sometimes these banks can hold different size (in MB) modules though, as long as they are from the same manufacturer, but often they can't. To uncover and resolve these problems (both common and advanced), work through the following sections in the order presented.
Check the Installation
When a problem occurs with newly-installed RAM, you should first make sure it's installed correctly. The modules should be secure in their slots, lined up properly with the notches in the slot, should fit properly, and the retaining clips or ejector clips, if they exist, should be firmly secured. When this is achieved, the memory is said to be seated correctly.
If these items are not the problem, reread your computer manual and the installation instructions for the memory you purchased. Some memory has to be installed directly next to existing memory, and an open space between modules will cause the memory to not be recognized. Other times, memory must be from the same manufacturer, and the memory modules must all be the same size (all must be 512 MB, for example). The instructions that came with the RAM should include this information.
Miscellaneous Installation Troubleshooting
If problems still exist, and you've verified you selected and properly installed the correct RAM, you'll need to try a few more obscure procedures. Reseating the memory modules often works; simply remove and replace them. If multiple modules are installed, you can also try switching their places on the motherboard. Put module 1 in slot 2, and module 2 in slot 1. Finally, try installing a single module in slot 1 (making sure it is enough RAM to successfully start the computer, at least 128 MB), restart your computer, and verify that the memory is recognized, remove it, and do the same with the other modules. You may find you have a defective memory module.
Visit the Manufacturer's Web Site
If you're still having problems, you should visit the manufacturer's Web site. Most sites have troubleshooting Web pages, articles on resolving known issues, and information about defective RAM and returning it if it doesn't work. Most also have free technical support, often by phone, and many have online diagnostic tools to help you in the process. These are good resources and should be part of the troubleshooting sequence.
Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool
Microsoft has released a software memory diagnostic tool, the Windows Memory Diagnostic that tests RAM on the computer for errors. This site also has a user's guide and list of system requirements that you can read before downloading the tool.
To run the diagnostic, you download the tool, save it to a disk or CD, and restart your computer using that disk as the startup disk. The diagnostic tool loads and an interface opens that helps you determine if your installed RAM has errors. This is quite useful if talking to the manufacturer's technical support people did not help, or if the company does not think the RAM is defective. If you can prove it is with this report, you're more likely to get your money returned or new RAM sent out.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If you're convinced you purchased and installed the correct memory modules, you've spoken with the manufacturer's technical support people, and you're positive the memory is not damaged or defective, you may be facing some known issues that others have already experienced, issues that involve Windows XP. Most of the time, you won't be the first person to encounter a particular problem, and finding an answer is as simple as reading a Knowledge Base or TechNet article.
For example, if after installing new RAM, you get this error message: Hardware Malfunction: Call your hardware vendor for support. The system has haltedNMI: Parity Check/Memory Parity Error, you can search the Knowledge Base for that message and read about the most likely problem and solution. The KB article, Hardware Malfunction Results in System Error Message, details this error and others that may accompany it. If you receive errors such as these, locating the problem and solution using the Knowledge Base is a good bet.
Purchasing, installing, and getting RAM to work is generally a simple process. However, occasionally things go awry and if this happens to you, hopefully this article leads you in the right direction. If it doesn't, I'm always available and will do what I can to help. Contact me at Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com.
 | Joli Ballew is a technology trainer and writer in the Dallas area. She holds several certifications including MCSE, A+, and MCDST. Joli has almost 20 books available, including Degunking Windows (Paraglyph Press), Hardcore Windows XP (McGraw-Hill), and Windows XP: Do Amazing Things (Microsoft Press). Joli is also a regular Microsoft Expert Zone columnist. Joli can be contacted at Joli_Ballew@hotmail.com.
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