No, with the power cord plugged in the computer is still receiving power
even though its turned off, you want it off power completely to work on it.
The touching of the case while you work on it is to discharge any static
electricity that could be built up in your body before you touch any of the
electronic components inside. Ideally you would wear a wrist strap attached
to a electrostatic mat that would discharge any static built up in you to
the mat while you work, but I would just touch that back of the case before
you begin and as much as you can while you work. The static dissipates into
the metal case, you won't need the pc connected back to anything else while
your working on it.

Joseph Elsasser

-----Original Message-----
From: PCSOFT - Personal Computer software discussion list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lewis C. Emerson
Sent: Friday, June 12, 2009 12:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Virtual Memory Query

One more comment.  I had thought touching the case grounded you only if the
case itself is grounded and that ground is made through the power cord.  So
should not the power cord be inserted in the wall socket - with the computer
OFF of course.
Doc

---------- Original Message ----------
From: Thomas Mayer <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Virtual Memory Query
Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 07:32:01 -0700

Of course you have to go inside the case. If you have not opened the 
case before, do not let it scare you. Replacing/adding memory is about 
the easiest thing you can do to upgrade a computer. You will see two or 
more slots for the RAM sticks. Check your manual and it will show you 
where to add the RAM. The added RAM is normally placed in the empty 
slots in a certain order. The only warnings are to ground yourself by 
touching the case before installing the memory, put the RAM stick in 
place in the proper orientation (check that the slot in the stick lines 
up with the ridge in the slot), do not touch the contacts on the RAM, 
and as you press the RAM into place make sure that it is fully seated. 
While you have the case open and if there is a lot of dust inside, this 
is an opportunity for cleaning. Again be careful to often ground 
yourself by touching the case. You can buy and use a relatively cheap 
wrist grounding strap if it would make you more comfortable. BTW The 
grounding is for the protection of the computer from you (static 
electricity) rather than the other way around.

Tom

Hugh Vandervoort wrote:
> No. The procedure is the same for  a desktop.
>
>
> On Sat, Jun 6, 2009 at 3:44 PM, Diane<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>   
>> Tom~thank you ever so much for the information which by the way is very
easy and easy to understand. (you don't know me, obviously,LOL!
>> At this time, I have only 1 question. I don't have a laptop. Would that
change the instructions? Thanks so much, Diane Reiner
>>
>>
>>
>>  Subject: Re: [PCSOFT] Virtual Memory Query
>>
>>
>>  You are on the right track. The message is simply indicating that for
>>  some application(s), the computer needs more memory than the combined
>>  physical memory and the virtual memory normally specified so the amount
>>  of virtual memory is being temporarily increased. Virtual memory is the
>>  use of space on the hard disk as if it were memory rather than storage.
>>  As long as there is excess drive space, this is no problem with the
>>  exception that using the hard disk for memory is a lot slower than using
>>  physical memory. If speed is not an issue and everything else is
>>  operating satisfactorily, than you can leave things as they are.
>>
>>  That being said, 512MB of RAM is really absolute minimum for XP with 1GB
>>  being the practical minimum level for XP. If you increase the amount of
>>  memory, I believe you will be pleasantly surprised at the improvement in
>>  your computer's operation. As you indicated, upgrading the memory is
>>  easy. It usually involves taking out one screw on the bottom of the
>>  laptop, inserting the additional memory stick and closing it back up.
>>  You actually do not get into the innards as the RAM access on a laptop
>>  is located just under the laptop shell outside of the innards. Just
>>  don't lose the little screw.
>>     
>
>              
>   

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