installing SDRAM in DIMM socket

I meant 256 MB of SDRAM BTW

it sounds like it aint facing the correct way

turn it the other way and as you push presure your clips should start to move upwards.

if not then push presure slowly the other way.

if neither work then you have bought the wrong type of memeory

you should have bought 168 SDRAM.

the size doesnt really matter.

hope this helps

cheers
Andu

"Force" is not quite the right word, but you do need to use a fair amount of pressure.

SDRAM should insert straight down (not on an algle like older RAM).

If you are worried about damaging the motherboard, see if you can slide a magazine or some bubble wrap or something under the board to support it - some motherboard vendors assume that you are going to install the RAM before you put the board in the case, and as such have poor support under the RAM slots.

If you are really worried take the system to the place where you bought the RAM and they should install it for you for free (it takes about ten seconds if you've already opened the case!).

it sounds like it aint facing the correct way

turn it the other way and as you push presure your clips should start to move upwards.

if not then push presure slowly the other way.

if neither work then you have bought the wrong type of memeory

you should have bought 168 SDRAM.

the size doesnt really matter.

hope this helps

cheers
Andu

You won't even get close if you have the RAM the wrong way around.

The edge of the RAM looks a bit like:


|____||___________||____________|


Where the || are small notches, one being much closer the end than the other.  The notches match small dividers in the memory slot, and because one notch is closer to the end of the stick, it's quite obvious which way around it goes.

this is very true,

hence why ive told him to turn the memory around

and reapply presure.

theres not much he can really do , its quite simple if it doesn fit one way then turn it around the other.


cheers
Andy

the notches are facing the right way, and as I apply pressue the things on the side are slowly comming up but when try to clip it the RAM isn't far enough in.

It is in the right way, I am afraid of damaging something and I don't want to try and get it in myself to learn..

please help.

How much pressure is necessary, should I have to try hard to get it in.

I will give it a try asap.
it won't damage the Banks by forcing it in will it
most importantly it wont stuff up the ram will it?

One thing I just thought of - make sure the clips are pushed outwards before you try to put the RAM in.  When you begin the clips that hold the RAM should point out at a slight angle - if you try to insert the RAM with one or both clips in the 'locked' position it will be difficult.

There is _some_ chance that in pushing the RAM in you will crack the motherboard (particularly if you have a more "affordable" motherboard ; ).  If you are in doubt (like it feels like the board is bending, or you just want to be cautious) dismantle the system enough to get the motherboard out and do it on a bench with a book or something directly under the RAM slots (in fact, motherboard on a book, with a towel between, is probably ideal).

to avoid damaging the RAM:

- Don't touch it more than necessary.

- Leave your computer plugged in [but turn OFF the power at the wall!] and while you install the RAM touch the metal of the case at all times (you can do most of it with one or both forearms leaning on th case).  This means any static you generate will go to earth, not into frying your RAM.

- Don't push _too_ hard.  Push firmly, but if it feels wrong then get someone more experienced to put it in for you.  It might be inconvenient (and possibly embarrasing), but so is explaining why you need a new motherboard and more memory... ; ).

dont do that,

its point less stripping your coputer down just to insert RAM,

im sure for about 2pound in cost that a computer store will instert if for you.

this will be much quicker and if they  break the mother board they will have to replace it.

but don't try and do it your self. i can tell how you ask the questions that your not confident in computer hardware.

the solution offered by d_hall is not a good one, striping the computer down to take the motherboard out to put it on a towel on a book to push ram in is total wrong.

1) you never put a computer motherboard on a towel
you will get cotton fibres and probley cause more damage.

2) RAM was made to be inserted without the hassle of taking out the mother board

the only way of doing this is if you dont want to do it your self then take it to a shop they will do it there and then.

some shops do it for nothing.

i personally would give it a even good hard push, sometimes they can be stubon, you will not damage your motherboard.

the mothe board sits on stands axprox 3mm in height, this will not allow the board to snap its cant bend enough to snap,

your quite safe.

hope these solutions help

cheers
Andy

Sometimes it helps to "pull" the RAM clips in while you're pushing down on the RAM.  If you start to push the RAM in, and you notice the clips moving in to the locked position, help them out a bit.

As far as how much force is too much?  You'd be surprised at how much stress computer parts can put it with.  Not to say use a hammer or anything like that.  My advice to you is this.....go out to your local junk store......and ask the guys if they have a dead stick of RAM, or buy a 1meg stick or something (yes they exist) take it home, and bend the bastard until it gives.  Now you have a reference point without destroying a good piece of RAM.

You don't mention, but if this is a Compaq system, the center slot position on the DIMM varied depending on whether it was a buffered or unbuffered DIMM.  Are you sure you have the right stuff for your system?

ive already suggested that DRRYAN

i one of my comments ive said have you got the correct RAM

cheers

andy

AndySalih - you can get off your high horse now.  I made a comment regarding Compaq memory, one that had not been specifically made before.  As anyone who has been here a while will tell you, the more heads the better.

yawn, ive been here much lonfer than you think, i had to change my user name hence loss of ee points

yawn

> I had to change my user name ...

Why did you "have" to change it?
Was the old one deemed to be obscene? sexist? inappropriate?

> I had to change my user name >
Is that supposed to impress us?  that only tells me you must be a loser.

At the rate you are going, have you given a thought to the next user name you will use?

This site works best when everyone works as a team

nope it was a registered trade mark

so i had to change it like many other people have to

hope this helps

andy

lol

Andysalih used to call himself microsoft.

Sorry, case sensitive, was Microsoft.  "A lot longer" apparently means since May instead of since June.  See triple post in community support at https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=commspt&qid=20147419, https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=commspt&qid=20147418, and https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qShow.jsp?ta=commspt&qid=20147417.

That explains it some ....................

He was a troublemaker which is why they booted him off before
He would copy comments and post them as the answer, looks like he still has a bad attitude, he has several posted as answers and they are either wrong or incomplete.

try to remember, post only as comments

the comment helped.
I put it in with a bit of pressure and it went in ok,
I didn't remove the motherboard when doing so.
this wouldn't have caused any damage would it..

thanks everyone for flooding my inbox with letters from Experts-Exchange :-)

Glad to be of assistance.  If the PC boots now, it's probably OK.  As andy said, most motherbaords are designed so you can install the RAM with the motherboard in the case, but sometimes its just safer and easier to take it out.

well taking it out would probably be just as bad because I would most definantly have to take it to a technician to plug all the cables in etc..

cya