A tool and description of “how to” recover data from a disk crash. The tutorial is well done and it would seem that even the inexperienced can follow? (Thanks to Bill Buppert)

http://www.shockfamily.net/cedric/knoppix

Revisiting RAM

Smart Computing January 2008: http://tinyurl.com/3bfn9x

Previous KK presentation: http://tinyurl.com/2zw2pe

Thorough review: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/ram.htm

What is RAM?

· Will discuss type attached to MOBO as modules

· Random Access Memory i.e. "random access" because any storage location can be accessed directly

· Data storage

-Quick access

-Can be returned in constant time regardless of locations

-Faster than HDs, tapes, optical discs

        -Volatile

        - Analogous to short term memory in humans

· Usually measured in gigabytes, where 1GB equals 1,024MB

How Much Is Enough?

· More is usually better

· Law of diminishing returns at 2GB

· Vista requires more

· Make certain the MOBO will accept so check documentation

Types?

· Not interchangeable

· RDRAM (Rambus Dynamic RAM) not readily available now; expensive

· Most PC makers now use SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic RAM) DDR2 or DDR3 memory;  some older boards require DDR (double data rate) memory, DDR2’s predecessor

· Check the manual for exact technologies that MOBO supports!

· Most PCs have either two memory slots or four

· Maximum capacity

· Single or dual channel?

· Best performance from a dual-channel MOBO; buy two identical DIMMs instead of one e.g. if you’re planning to buy 1GB of memory, choose a pair of 500MB DIMMs instead of a single 1GB DIMM

How do I Buy RAM?

· Check what is already installed

WinXP: right click My Computer> Properties> General tab

Vista: Start> right click Computer> Properties> look next to Memory (RAM)

· Belarc http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

§ Free download

· Special tool: www.cpuid.com

§ Free

§ Gives details                   

§ The Memory tab shows basic information about the installed RAM, while the SPD tab contains a drop-down menu with entries for each RAM slot on the motherboard. Selecting a slot tells you precisely what type and brand of memory stick is installed there. Instead of writing down this information, click the About tab, click the HTML Dump button, select a folder where you want to store the file, and click Save. Now, double-click the file you just created. It opens in your Web browser, where you can view everything you need to know about your RAM and make a printout. Armed with this data, along with information from the computer’s manual, you’ll know exactly how much memory to buy and whether you need to purchase it in matched pairs.

Memory tab

SPD tab

· Good site when “Not Sure Which Memory Upgrade You Need?”

http://www.crucial.com/index.asp

· How do I install the modules?

-Step by step process to manually install:     

http://www.crucial.com/install/dimm.asp#tools

      -Should be immediately recognized, configured, and accessible on boot up

      -At times may have to check manual re whether BIOS adjustment is necessary

       -Use CPU-Z to make sure the amount of RAM is properly reflected, all the chips are running at their rated speeds, and dual-channel memory is being implemented if the motherboard supports it

What is virtual memory?

· An adjunct to installed memory i.e. temporary memory area

· Portion of HD (Page or cache file)

· Slower than stick RAM

· Probably best to let Windows manage situation

· Windows XP: right click My Computer> Properties> Advanced tab> click Change in the Virtual Memory box select System Managed Size

· Vista: Start> right click Computer> Properties> Advanced System Settings> Advanced tab> Settings button in Performance box> Advance tab> click Change> select Manage Paging File Size For All Drives

With two HDs: to boost performance set page files on both

What is Ready Boost?

· Allows you to plug in a USB flash drive or a flash memory card and use its contents to cache frequently used files

· With cost of 1GB+ flash drives these days it's a cheap way to speed up a system without having to remove PC cover

· Only in Vista

· Additional file page area

· Uses flash memory connected PC’s USB 2.0

· Most effective where RAM is 1 GB or less

· Usually labeled Ready Boost but some unlabeled will work also

· Must at least 235 MB of free space available

· Process: insert drive> wait for AutoPlay menu> click Speed Up My System> select ReadyBoost tab> Use This Device radio button> use slider> Apply

· Another way: click Computer> click ReadyBoost tab and enable shown options