How to add memory to XP[MOVED]

SPDMETL · 11-05-2009, 04:09 PM

Hi Folks...I'm taking several computer courses at the local Community College. Since I loaded Adobe CS4, the 'ol HP is running slow and in one case I even got a " close other applications; computer is running out of memory " message. I'm trying to read up on adding memory and know very little about the mechanics of computers. The unit in question is a 2005 model HP desktop; I believe it's called a " media center " TIA !

**simpswr** · 11-05-2009, 04:13 PM

and welcome to the Forum

You can go to www.crucial.com and run their scanner . . it will tell you what you have now and what can be added.

SPDMETL · 11-05-2009, 04:19 PM

Thanks...here goes another expensive hobby !

**simpswr** · 11-05-2009, 04:20 PM

. . may be just the beginning!!!

**spike2me** · 11-05-2009, 04:21 PM

After you know what kind of RAM you have by doing the Crucial scan and purchasing it, then here are the step by step instructions for replacing or adding RAM to your computer with pictures http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph03886

matt261102 · 11-05-2009, 04:42 PM

It only gets better from here

Let us know how things are going

SPDMETL · 11-05-2009, 06:39 PM

Thanks for your help folks; I'm going to run that scan tomorrow morning. Luckily there's more than one computer here just in case ...what's the most memory any of you have added ? Is it only limited by the u$ual reasons ?

**simpswr** · 11-06-2009, 05:58 AM

Different motherboards will have different limits . . 32 bit operating systems can only use 3.2 Gig . . 64 bit is virtually unlimited.

**speedster123** · 11-06-2009, 06:03 AM

Remember to unplug the machine and destatic yourself by touching an unpainted part of the computer while the service side is removed.

SPDMETL · 11-06-2009, 08:30 AM

Well, I ran the Crucial scan and it told me:it's an HP-Compaq Puffer Motherboard. 4 memory slots, currently equipped with 2-512MB memory chips ( is that the right term ?) and 2 empty slots. 2 extra 512's will douuble the memory, and adding 2-1GB's will both triple it and go to the maximum allowable memory.( their site says my OS will " see " a max of 3-3.5 GB. My new question is whether adding 2 dissimilar chips is advisable, or would I be better off getting 4-1GB's just for the compatibility ?

**Tyree** · 11-06-2009, 08:37 AM

The best solution to that is get a 2X2 GB matched pair IF the Mobo will accept a 2GB stick. The second best solution would be the 2 2X1GB matched pair by themselves. Filling all the RAM slots on a Mobo can cause voltage issues.

SPDMETL · 11-06-2009, 08:53 AM

So you're saying I should only use 2 slots and be happy with doubling the memory ?

11-05-2009, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
SPDMETL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	How to add memory to XP[MOVED] Hi Folks...I'm taking several computer courses at the local Community College. Since I loaded Adobe CS4, the 'ol HP is running slow and in one case I even got a " close other applications; computer is running out of memory " message. I'm trying to read up on adding memory and know very little about the mechanics of computers. The unit in question is a 2005 model HP desktop; I believe it's called a " media center " TIA !

11-05-2009, 04:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,165 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: How to add memory to XP and welcome to the Forum You can go to www.crucial.com and run their scanner . . it will tell you what you have now and what can be added. __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

11-05-2009, 04:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
SPDMETL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	Re: How to add memory to XP Thanks...here goes another expensive hobby !

11-05-2009, 04:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,165 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: How to add memory to XP . . may be just the beginning!!! __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

11-05-2009, 04:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
spike2me TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,597 OS: XP SP3, Vista SP2, Windows7	Re: How to add memory to XP After you know what kind of RAM you have by doing the Crucial scan and purchasing it, then here are the step by step instructions for replacing or adding RAM to your computer with pictures http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph03886 __________________ Spike Baron A Plus, MCSE, MCAS (office 2007) MOUS, CNA

11-05-2009, 04:42 PM	#6 (permalink)
matt261102 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 155 OS: XP, Vista, Server2003, Fedora	Re: How to add memory to XP It only gets better from here Let us know how things are going

11-05-2009, 06:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
SPDMETL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	Re: How to add memory to XP Thanks for your help folks; I'm going to run that scan tomorrow morning. Luckily there's more than one computer here just in case ...what's the most memory any of you have added ? Is it only limited by the u$ual reasons ?

11-06-2009, 05:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,165 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: How to add memory to XP[MOVED] Different motherboards will have different limits . . 32 bit operating systems can only use 3.2 Gig . . 64 bit is virtually unlimited. __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

11-06-2009, 06:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York-Long Island Posts: 5,199 OS: xp pro SP3 My System	Re: How to add memory to XP[MOVED] Remember to unplug the machine and destatic yourself by touching an unpainted part of the computer while the service side is removed. __________________

11-06-2009, 08:30 AM	#10 (permalink)
SPDMETL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	Re: How to add memory to XP[MOVED] Well, I ran the Crucial scan and it told me:it's an HP-Compaq Puffer Motherboard. 4 memory slots, currently equipped with 2-512MB memory chips ( is that the right term ?) and 2 empty slots. 2 extra 512's will douuble the memory, and adding 2-1GB's will both triple it and go to the maximum allowable memory.( their site says my OS will " see " a max of 3-3.5 GB. My new question is whether adding 2 dissimilar chips is advisable, or would I be better off getting 4-1GB's just for the compatibility ?

11-06-2009, 08:37 AM	#11 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,416 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: How to add memory to XP[MOVED] The best solution to that is get a 2X2 GB matched pair IF the Mobo will accept a 2GB stick. The second best solution would be the 2 2X1GB matched pair by themselves. Filling all the RAM slots on a Mobo can cause voltage issues. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

11-06-2009, 08:53 AM	#12 (permalink)
SPDMETL Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7 OS: Windows Vista Home Premium	Re: How to add memory to XP[MOVED] So you're saying I should only use 2 slots and be happy with doubling the memory ?