Adding RAM
By steeleIC
@steeleIC (107)
United States
June 28, 2008 11:03am CST
I desparately need to add a RAM stick to my desktop. So, I found a great deal on them online and called to place my order. The nice little CS rep kept insisting I do not add this RAM myself. Finally she had me so frazzled, I just told her I'd call back. I didn't even order the flippin thing! She kept telling me it could short out my motherboard if I don't know how to do it. I don't have one of those grounding bracelet thingys and now I'm paranoid that I will short everything out. "Thanks young customer service agent." Anyway, do I need to get a grounding bracelet in order to safely add RAM to my desktop pc? This is the only pc I have at the moment and I use it for school, work, and basically everything! I cannot, by any means, take a chance at losing the one machine that helps me make my living.
1 person likes this
9 responses
@eXxodus (204)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I don't have a grounding bracelet, and I've installed RAM quite a few times. As the people above me have said, all you need to do it touch a metal item connected to your house or something like that to remove any charge on you. For added protection from transferring your body oils to the RAM or motherboard, wear some gloves.
@Ricardo709 (5)
• United States
28 Jun 08
Steele, another way is your washing machine or electric stove, they are grounded, so working on top of them and touching will remove a static charge, if in doubt, keep one hand on the item as much as possible while installing. Ric
1 person likes this
@slyvixen42 (926)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I've installed my own RAM many times. You just have to make sure you don't have a charge built up on you. I like to ground myself by touching something metal connected to the house, like a screw on a wall outlet. There is real danger to your computer if you transfer an electrical charge to it. My dad fried his business computer and it took him months to recover from it. Just be careful and I think you'll be fine. It's a good idea to back up your hard drive just in case.
1 person likes this
@Muelitz (1592)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
She has a point, one can really damage a computer part if not careful. But if you are brave enough, these points might help you:
make sure you have the correct specs of the RAM (It is better to check the manuals or the RAM that is installed to verify it before ordering)
make sure the power is removed from the PC when before you open and remove or install the RAM
make sure you touch something metal first before touching the computer parts (this i was told is to remove static electricity from your body that can damage the board or RAM)
insert the new RAM on the slot.
caveat-some motherboard require ram to be installed in pairs so read the manual first
close the computer cover.
power up and check if the memory you added registered in the cmos.
hope this helps:)
@shaheem1987 (17)
• Maldives
29 Jun 08
Installing a RAM is easy. There is nothing to worry about. I usually have to do it as often as once a week and nothing went bad so far. The only thing you have to do is shut down the computer. Install the RAM. Than restart. But I recommend to unplug the system.
You may backup the important files to an external disk for added security.
Hope everything goes well
@Wolfechu (1193)
• United States
28 Jun 08
It's not difficult, though it might feel it the first time. The tips people have given about grounding yourself are the most important part. I'm not going to suggest what I used to do: Leave the computer plugged in, but the wall socket turned off. This is fine and dandy in the UK, where sockets have an earth by default and ground the casing, and also the sockets have on/off switches, but I wouldn't like to say if US wiring works the same way.
1 person likes this
@blackmantra_x (2732)
• Philippines
2 Jul 08
good day...if you want to be on a safe side wear a rubber gloves before installing your ram.
@stagewhisper (901)
• United States
10 Jul 08
She might have been working on commission, i.e. getting you to pay more for their services so she'd get paid more in turn. Anyway, you can install RAM yourself; I did it the other day on my own desktop and didn't damage anything. Just search online for instructions if your RAM doesn't come with them, and make sure you're grounded, as others have said.
I'd suggest you order from somewhere else. Or if a sales person gets insistent again, just tell them you know how to do it, thanks very much.
@sweetierook (311)
• United States
16 Jul 08
I actually have done this a few times myself. The last time I went to Radio Shjack and got the little bar of RAM that I needed. It happened to even be on sale! Went home and did it within just a few short minutes and was ready to go with double the RAM I started with. Believe me, I am no computer pro. It was easy. Just make sure that it snaps in properly. Do NOT force it in.
I do not have one of those bracelett thingys either. I have heard all about the shorting out your pc just like you said. However, I have worked on my own several -several times, replacing modems, RAM, sound cards, etc.... No problems have ever occured. I say---- TRY IT!
