Why does my system need RAM?

All our programmes and the data we work with are stored on the hard disk. The processor needs to fetch the data from the hard disk before it can do anything with the data. It fetches the information in chunks, processes the first chunk and then writes the changes back to the hard disk. Then the processor proceeds with the next chunk. So there's a continuous information flow between the hard and the processor. But there's a problem here. The hard disk and the processor work at different speeds. The processor works at 100 MHz to1 GHz speed whereas the fastest hard drive works at only 66 MHz. So while the processor has finished one task, it has to remain idle before it begins another, because the data is still being transferred from the hard disk to the processor.

Enter RAM, a high-speed temporary storage area between the processor and the hard disk. RAM does away with the need for the processor to read information in chunks from the hard disk. Instead, RAM stores all the information about a programme you are working on, from the hard disk. The processor now reads/writes to the RAM instead of the hard disk. Since RAM has a high - speed memory, it makes the time difference in the information flow minimal.

Can i add/change RAM on my own?

First go to Start>Setting>Control Panel. Click open System and click General tab (which is on top of the window). The computer description lists the amount of RAM your system has.

Adding additional ram is quite easy. No wires or any connections are required. Switch off the computer and remove the plug from the mains. Open the CPU cabinet and look for RAM slots.

These are caterpillar type and size slots in groups of two or four. A RAM module is roughly a 1.5" x 4" green silicon wafer. To add RAM, look for an empty slot, hold the RAM horizontally with pins facing down, slide it into the empty slot at an angle and give it a push to make it upright. You will hear a click if the RAM is plugged in properly.

To remove one, push the module backward at an angle in the slot and gently pull it out.

Why is my computer slow?

If your system still has only 8 MB or 16 MB RAM, it's time you upgraded it. Try increasing the RAM of your Pentium system and notice the change in speed.

Multimedia-rich programmes like games need more RAM than plain word processors. Since windows-type interface has become the norm of the day, 32 MB RAM has become the entry level. If you are into designing, desktop publishing, or gaming, go for 64 -128 MB. Faster processors like PIIIs work better with 64 MB RAM or more. The latest 1 gig PIIIs that have hit the market are equipped with 256 MB RAM.

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