In a message dated 5/12/2000 8:18:37 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< I really hate to keep asking you guys such really beginner questions, but I
 don't seem to be finding the information on my own. So here goes.

 How do you determine what kind of Ram you have in your computer and after
 finding that out what kind of Ram do you buy then to upgrade.

 I'm running a Gateway P5 100 with 16 MB of memory. I've called places here
 to inquire about upgrading to at least 32 MB's and as high as 64 MB's. One
 place is saying that it will cost me about $26 for each 8 MB's I upgrade to
 plus the installation fee. Is this a reasonable price for an additional 16
 MB's of Ram?
  >>
Lynn,

Check and see if you have the motherboard documentation for your computer.
Look for a section about RAM or memory.  There may be a chart in that section
that will tell you what kind of RAM you have, what type it is and how much
RAM your motherboard will support.

As others have posted, more than likely your computer uses RAM called 72pin
SIMMs.  I have a P100 and it takes the 72pin SIMMS.  One caveat to the 72 pin
SIMMS is you have to install them in pairs.  You'll need to look at your
motherboard (should be a diagram in your documentation) and see how many
slots (called banks) you have for RAM.  You may have four slots or two banks
(two slots in each bank).  So if you want to upgrade your RAM, you'll have to
see if all your slots are filled.  You may have (4) 4MB RAM sticks in those
slots.  Or you may have (2) 8MB RAM sticks occupying one bank and the other
bank is empty.

To answer your question regarding price, yes $26 dollars is expensive for 8
MB of RAM.  Check local companies like Office Depot, Fry's, Best Buy, Office
Max or their ads for prices.  You'll most likely need RAM called EDO or Fast
Page.

HTH,
Kevin Nowicki

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