Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Spike Baron is the owner of Spike's Computer Repair. With over 25 years of experience in the technology industry, his business specializes in desktop and Mac repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, software upgrades, and Hardware. He holds CompTIA A+ certification and is a Microsoft solutions expert.
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Spike Baron
Network Engineer & Desktop Support
Don't try to increase RAM beyond your computer's capacity. Every motherboard has a maximum amount of RAM. You can find this information in the Properties section of your computer's settings, or you can search for your exact computer model online.
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Find your model by:
Click the select manufacturer box and then click the name of your computer's manufacturer (such as Toshiba ).
Click the select product line box and then click your computer name (such as Encore ).
Click the select model box , then click your computer model.
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Click the blue find upgrade button below the box containing the device number.
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Check the result. On the results page, you will get three important pieces of information below:
Maximum RAM – This "Maximum Memory: # GB" section is at the top left of the page. The number displayed here is the maximum amount of RAM you can install.
Type of RAM - One of three types: SDRAM, DDR or RDRAM will be listed under the "Compatible Memory" heading near the top of the page.
RAM speed – To the right of the type of RAM (such as DDR3 ) is the number that represents the supported speed for your computer – don't deviate from this number!
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Buy compatible RAM. Once you know the type of RAM, the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed, and the speed needed for your computer, you can now buy RAM from any computer store (such as Phong Vu) or online store. (e.g. Amazon).
It's often cheaper to buy online than in a store, but the store staff will likely have a better idea of what type of RAM your computer needs.
Most computers need to have RAM installed in pairs. This means that if you want to install 8 GB of RAM, you will have to buy two 4 GB sticks (or 4 2 GB sticks).
Consider having a computer store install the RAM for you. When buying RAM, you should ask someone at the store to install it for you because they will usually have more experience. If you don't want to do that, you can still install RAM yourself for your laptop or desktop.
Plug the USB into the computer. Your USB or hard drive will have to be plugged into one of your computer's USB slots.
With laptops, USB slots are usually located on both sides of the body.
With desktop computers, the USB slot is usually designed on the front or back of the case, or on some peripheral device, such as a keyboard.
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Open Start . Click the Windows logo in the lower left corner of the screen.
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Open File Explorer by clicking the folder icon at the bottom left of the Start window.
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Click This PC . It's on the far left side of the File Explorer window.
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Choose your USB. Click the name of the USB drive you connected to your computer. If there is only one removable storage drive connected, it is usually the "F:" drive.
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Click the Computer tab in the upper left of the window. A toolbar will appear directly below this tab.
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Click Properties . This is the white box with a red check mark located on the far left side of the toolbar. The USB Properties window will appear.
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Click the ReadyBoost tab at the top of the window above.
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Checking the "Use this device" box in the middle of the page allows Windows to use the maximum available capacity on the USB as RAM.
You will not be able to use more than your computer's maximum RAM capacity.
It may take a few seconds for ReadyBoost to display the USB drive information.
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Click Apply then OK at the bottom of the window to save the settings and use the free space on the USB as RAM.
After removing the USB, if you want to use it as RAM again, you will have to go back to the ReadyBoost menu to set it up again.