another computers based question for you all from this IT simpleton....

 

 

I need to the internal DVD-R/RW drive in my laptop as it burned out (i think) when burning a DVD with Nero.

 

I found it is much cheaper to buy a spares/repairs laptop like mine on ebay (obviously checking the DVD drive is ok first).

 

if i do this i guess i can scav the RAM from it (if included) and install it in my machine. But being a simpleton i need a bit of advice on whether this is possible/worthwhile/etc.

 

I have found a guide here

http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/advent/laptop/7082.htm

but it doesnt say anything about making the machine recognise/install the new memory.

 

Is there anything else i can scavenge from the spare&repair that would improve my laptop?

when you install new memory, it will automatically recognise it, so theres going to be no messing about with any settings. you wont find anything else on it to improve yours. HTH. ;)

Providing you have a spare memory slot then you just plug it in and switch on.

Most laptops have 2 slots with 1 memory module already installed.

.....bit confused. This is what it says about the memory for my laptop from the above link:

 

Memory: 512MB 200pin DDR-333 SODIMM (2 memory slots. Max 2GB)

 

I think that is 2 sticks of 256MB already in there.

 

My questions are;

- It says 2gb max so can i wack in a maximum of 1.488gb more? if i exceed that what happens. Because for the 2 memory slots it mentions (i guess these are free slots) i could wack in one 1gb stick and one 512MB(?) stick that would take it just over the 2gb max. what would happen then? Can it be bought in other denominations that would take me exactly to 2gb?

 

- Is it a big advantage to go straight up to 2gb with the processor running in there? What would people recommend i go for with this RAM upgrade?

 

- The original idea was to salvage the 512MB (2x256MB) RAM from the spare and repair laptop i need to replace the DVD drive but some are missing the RAM and are cheaper so i am weighing up the option of buying it seperatly (if worthwhile).

 

- Am i looking for exactly 256mb/512mb/1gb 200pin DDR-333 SODIMM sticks? Nothing else will work?

 

Thanks for the help computer geniuses!

what it means is : the max you can have in total with both slots is 2gb. you remove the ones thats in it & put a 1gb in each slot. thats the max. other than that you can put any combination in like 1gb in one & a 512mb in the other, ect.;)

what it means is : the max you can have in total with both slots is 2gb. you remove the ones thats in it & put a 1gb in each slot. thats the max. other than that you can put any combination in like 1gb in one & a 512mb in the other, ect.;)

 

Thanks Mario. 1gb in one and 512mb in the other will take the total to 2.024gb if the 2x256mb sticks are left in there. I am guessing there is to free slots so i can add to the 2x256mb that is already in there rather than replacing it??? or am i getting this wrong?

 

any tips on what i should go for with current processor etc and the exact type of memory i need to buy?

Thanks Mario. 1gb in one and 512mb in the other will take the total to 2.024gb if the 2x256mb sticks are left in there. I am guessing there is to free slots so i can add to the 2x256mb that is already in there rather than replacing it??? or am i getting this wrong?

 

any tips on what i should go for with current processor etc and the exact type of memory i need to buy?

 

 

just make sure that you do have 4 slots though that are compatible with the memory. on some older boards the had 2 slots for pc100/133 memory & 2 slots for ddr memory, if this is the case then you would have to remove the 2 existing ones & replace with 2 x 1gb ones. easy way to tell, is check where the slit is on the memory chip, as the pc100/133 is in a different place, so the ddr wont fit ;). as far as processor & memory type, i would need the make/model of your motherboard to see what it takes.