After knowing all about RAM in our previous article, you may now be thinking of upgrading that. There can be many reasons why you should choose to update the RAM and one of these reasons is that your computer has become slow.
Yes! Older PCs can become sluggish especially when used with more modern operating systems such as Windows 10. The software that is available today is also becoming more demanding in terms of system resources.
This is why upgrading the RAM (as long as it’s compatible with your system) or adding more memory helps! But how will you do it yourself?
What if you have already spent enough on RAM modules and there is nothing left to pay someone to install them? This is the perfect time to learn some DIY and that’s exactly what we’ll show you in this tutorial.
Install RAM in your laptop
Your device will never work without RAM and will not work well enough if your installed RAM needs to be upgraded. Here are the steps that you can follow to remove the old RAM modules and replace them with new ones. Make sure you have the correct model of RAM modules before attempting to upgrade your device’s RAM.
Step 1: Unplug and remove all external power sources
Most laptops operate at 19-20 volts. Opening and touching components on the motherboard will not create a risk of electrocution on your part. However, the static electricity in your body can damage the small components it touches.
Before taking out the RAM modules that we will learn in a bit, first discharge the static electricity by touching a metal surface. After doing that, go to your laptop, turn it upside down and remove the battery. Make sure the charger is also disconnected from the device.
Drain all charge from the laptop by holding the power button for 10 seconds. Doing so will ensure that the device is free of any amount of electricity that could interact with your body’s static charges. Also wear something on your feet and don’t let the skin touch the ground.
Step 2: Locate and remove the RAM cover case
Most laptops have different boards screwed into the main laptop chassis. These boards are for different hardware components installed in the device such as hard disk drive, RAM, WiFi adapter, etc. There are mostly three panels overall but there may be more depending on the make and model of your laptop.
Other laptops also have a single flap, so you need to make sure you remove every screw that holds it in place before trying to get it out and expose what’s under the hood. In this case, having a user manual will help greatly especially if you do not know what RAM modules look like.
Be careful to turn the screws in the correct direction and apply enough downward pressure on them with the appropriate screwdriver so as not to damage the head.
3. Find and remove RAM module(s)
Be very careful with this next step because the sticks of the RAM module are held by a pair of flexible metal on the sides so you shouldn’t pull them by force. To get the units out, just push these two metals away from the unit and you’ll see it move towards you automatically.
When the RAM is in the 45 degree position, that’s the time you’re going to pop it out of its slot and it should be removed very easily. There are usually two modules in your laptop, so be sure to check and remove the other module the same way you removed the first.
4. Install a new RAM module
This will be the last step in the process. Once you have removed the old RAM, you will need to install the new RAM into the slots. Be sure to pay attention to the grove along the screws in the hole. This matches RAM modules so the free space along the RAM should be properly positioned along the slot.
Once the new RAM is nicely fitted into the slot, you can push it down until you hear a click coming from the two flexible metal clamps on either side of the RAM slot. After installing the first RAM, do the same with the other and that’s it!
Your device is now ready to use with its newly installed hardware. If you’ve had hangs and freezes before, you shouldn’t experience them now. If you would like a step-by-step demonstration of the process. Simply click the Play button in the video below.
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