Greetings Lewis & list--
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lewis c Emerson" <[log in to unmask]>
[snip]
> My son bought a software tax package without realizing that his machine
> didn't have enuf' RAM.  The box says 128 MB are needed and he may have
> only 64.  We ran Belarc Advisor and it reports:
>
>                        Memory Modules
>
>        56 Megabytes Installed memory
>
>        Slot "0" has 64 MB
>        Slot "1" is empty
>
> The machine is a six-year or seven-year old Compaq Presario w. Windows 98
> and a 500 MHz AMD K6-2 processor.  The case has on the front the number
> "7360" and on a label on the rear is printed "Series CM0204".  I guess I
> don't understand the 56 MB installed - I though it came in multiples of
> 64 only, so does this mean that he may have 8 MB that's bad?
>
> Finally,  we'll need to know just what to order, and wonder if we can add
> 128 MB to the 64, or do we have to remove the 64 before putting in 128 -
> i.e. can different capacity memory boards be mixed?
>
> May thanks for help from two novices,
>
----end original post---------
The reason for the difference in the reporting of available RAM memory
is most likely due to having the video display 'built into' the motherboard.
They call this integrated graphics. It means that 8 MB of the 64 MB of
installed
RAM is being used by the display (video) system, NOT that 8 MB of the 64 MB
is bad. As for the RAM required for the program to operate, I can't say
whether
simply adding another 64 MB RAM module (of the same specification - very
important; there are different types and speeds which don't "play nice with
each
other") will be sufficient. It is likely that your computer may have an
empty
RAM socket into which you may be able to install another RAM module.
According
to the manual available online at the hp website, there are three RAM
sockets. To
get 64 MB of RAM, you would either have (2) 32 MB modules or (1) 64 MB
module.
If you have (1) 64 MB module, purchase another matching module and you will
have
128 MB of RAM. This can also be done with (2) 32 MB modules present, as long
as the specifications are a close match. (Whether the 'shared' 8 MB will
affect the software's
operation or not, I can't say. ... Is 128 MB the "required" amount of RAM or
the "recommended" amount? If it is the recommended amount, the shared 8 MB
shouldn't have much, if any, impact.) For memory compatibility, a good place
to check your computer is www.crucial.com. A link there will allow you to
analyze your computer and recommend the most compatible RAM for your
hardware.

HTH.

Paul A. Shippert
Library Media Specialist
Margaret Brent Middle School

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