How to know how much "computer memory" is on your PC?

It's easy to find out just how much memory your computer has.

• Find the My Computer/Computer icon (on your desktop or in the Start Menu List.
• Hover your mouse over the My Computer (in Windows 98, XP or Vista) or Computer (in Windows 7)
• When the function menu appears, left click on Properties. 
• The details of your computer will now appear, including Operating System, Hardware manufacturer, the memory (RAM-Random Access Memory) and other helpful details. 

Most of us agree that the quickest and most effective way to improve the overall performance of computers is to increase the amount of memory it has... But you can't install just any memory, it has to be compatible so if you aren't sure - check with a technician you trust, and/or go to the website for your computers manufacturer and look up what is needed when you put in your computers model number.

A few things you and or your technician need to know before purchasing additional memory for your computer; all of which you can learn all of this from your manufacturer's website.... 

• Know your motherboard - What type is it? How many pins are on it (30, 72 or 168)? and how many open RAM slots are available on your motherboard?
• If your computer is still under warranty - Check with your hardware manufacturer before you install new hardware to ensure to make sure your warranty will not be revoked if you remove the cover from your computer.
• Know if the RAM on your computer is parity or non-parity
• Know if your computer uses single (SIMM's) or dual (DIMM's) memory modules.

Yes Size Matters - What are Bytes, KB’s, MB’s, GB’s, TB’s, PB’s or EB’s?

What do all these “measurements” mean that we see for both RAM (Random Access Memory) or the space on a hard drive, portable hard drive, flash drive or memory card/stick?
The smallest unit of memory storage is called a BIT. A bit either contains a ONE or a ZERO. That's it.
• Eight bits is one BYTE ("bite"). That's enough storage for about one letter of the alphabet.
• 1,024 bytes is one KILOBYTE (KB) or about one page of text.
• 1,024 kilobytes is one MEGABYTE (MB) or about 1,000 pages of text (short novel).
• 1,024 megabytes is one GIGABYTE (GB) or about 1,000,000 pages of text (pickup truck filled with books).
• 1,024 gigabytes is one TERABYTE (TB) – and that is equal to about 50,000 trees made into paper and printed
Today, the most popular form of measurement that we hear about is Terabytes (TB) but on the horizon and in some publications we are already hearing about PETABYTES (PB) and EXABYTES (EB) - we've come a long way baby since the Commodore 64's....and we wonder where it will end..

To give you an idea of how much data a TB is or how much it can hold based on a document: It is said that The U.S. Library of Congress Web Capture team claims that "As of April 2011, the Library has collected about “235 terabytes of data" and that it adds about 5 terabytes per month.

Should you upgrade to Windows 7?

So many of you ask – should you upgrade to Windows 7 Operating System (which came out in October 2009) from your current Windows XP or Windows Vista??

If your system is running perfectly well and you are happy with it – I wouldn't be in a hurry to make the change - but now that Windows 7 has been out for a while many would say "absolutely-upgrade"; it’s a personal choice.

Remember, if you purchase new application software - always check the back of the packaging to determine what the minimum operating system requirements are, because you might find that it will only run on Windows 7, so that will help to force your hand…

Before you do anything, go to the following link at Microsoft that will help you evaluate your current hardware and whether or not it is capable of making the upgrade. The most common change needed is having to increase the Random Access Memory (RAM)…This advisor link will walk you thru making your decision…

http://www.intowindows.com/download-windows-7-upgrade-advisor-check-if-your-pc-can-run-windows-7/

If and when you plan to upgrade – there are a few things you will want to have on hand first…

· An external hard disk. You'll need to move your files off of your PC before you install Windows 7. To make this easier, we recommend a free download called Windows Easy Transfer, which will require an external hard disk. They're readily available at electronics and office supply stores, and they provide an easy way to add additional storage space to your computer.

· The original installation discs or setup files for the programs that you want to use with Windows 7. You'll need to reinstall your programs by hand after installing Windows 7. When you run Windows Easy Transfer you will get a report that lists the programs that you are currently using with Windows XP or Vista

What to do when your computer says you have "low memory"

A "memory too low message" is an indication that the amount of random access memory (RAM) in your computer is inadequate for the program you are trying to run.

Older computers attempting to run newer software often run into this problem. If you only get the memory low message when you attempt to run a specific program, then you've identified the problem. You can either not use that particular program or you can install additional memory.

The best way to get rid of a memory low message is to add more memory. Another benefit of adding more memory is better overall system performance. How much more memory you will be able to add depends on your operating system (Windows 98, Windows XP, Vista or the newest Windows 7) and the hardware that you have within your computer....

Check your manufacturer’s website for your specific computer to determine what upgrades you can make - this will tell you how much more memory you can add. Or call a respected tech support person if you are unsure or uncomfortable trying to do this on your own...

Software Programs & Drivers - What runs on 32-bit or 64-bit computers?

Still confused about what the terms 32-bit and 64-bit are all about. Simply these numbers refer to the way our computer's processor or brain (what you hear referred to as the CPU), handles information.

64-bit handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) much more quickly and effectively than a 32-bit system

Most programs designed for a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows will work on a computer running 64-bit versions of Windows, however major exceptions to this are:

• many (if not most) antivirus programs and
• some hardware drivers, including those for flash drives and printers

Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows don't work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows.
So if you aren’t sure or need help updating drivers or other troubleshooting issues with drivers for 64-bit versions of Windows, contact the manufacturer of the device or program

For more information before you upgrade to Windows 7, or about 32-bit vs 64-bit, check out microsoft's info site:

href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx">http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx

WHAT DO THE TERMS 32-BIT AND 64 BIT MEAN?

The terms 32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit system. To see if your computer is running 32-bit or 64-bit Windows, do the following:

1. Open System by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking System
2. Under System, you can view the system type

To run a 64-bit version of Windows, your computer must have a 64-bit-capable processor. If you are unsure whether your processor is 64-bit-capable, do the following:

1. Open Performance Information and Tools by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking System and Maintenance, and then clicking Performance Information and Tools
2. Click View and print details
3. In the System section, you can see what type of operating system you're currently running under System type, and, under 64-bit capable, whether you can run a 64-bit version of Windows. (If your computer is already running a 64-bit version of Windows, you won't see the 64-bit capable listing.)
4. Most programs designed for a computer running a 32-bit version of Windows will work on a computer running 64-bit versions of Windows. Notable exceptions are many antivirus programs, and some hardware drivers
5. Drivers designed for 32-bit versions of Windows do not work on computers running a 64-bit version of Windows. If you're trying to install a printer or other device that only has 32-bit drivers available, it won't work correctly on a 64-bit version of Windows. If you are unsure whether there is a 64-bit driver available for your device, go online to www.microsoft.com and search for the Windows Vista Compatibility Center

HELP YOUR PC LAST LONGER

In response to the question we are asked most often - how to speed up your computer and extend your computer life... these are our tips...

1.) Install spyware and antivirus programs and be sure to keep them updatedWhether you use Norton, McAfee or AVG they are only successful if and when you keep them updated. And be sure you also have a program to eliminate spyware, such as Lavasoft’s Ad-Aware or Microsoft’s Windows Defender that detect & remove spyware from your pc...

2.) Run diagnostics. Most PCs have maintenance tools built into your system and on a schedule. To find them in Windows PCs, go to Start, Accessories and you'll find them in “System Tools”. Its recommended that at least once a month (or better yet once a week) we should:
a. back up
b. run disk defrag, and
c. run the disk cleanup tool
If your diagnostics are scheduled to run during the night and your computer is off, the diagnostics cannot be done, so you must do it the next time you turn your computer on, when it will remind you....

3.) Increase RAM. The quickest way to increase the performance of our computers is to add more memory - RAM (Random-access memory). All of us should have at least 2GB or worse case at least 1GB. This is especially important for those of us running software made in the last year or two.. you can get 1 GB for less than $50; 2 GB for under $100 - a very worthwhile investment..