A+ Guide to Managing

and Maintaining Your PC

Fifth Edition

Chapter 6

Managing Memory
RAM on the Motherboard
 Loses all data when PC is turned off (except
data stored on CMOS chip)
 Two categories
 Static RAM (SRAM)
• Fast
• Used as a memory cache
 Dynamic RAM (DRAM)
• Slower; requires constant refreshing

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 2

DRAM

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 3

SRAM

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 4

Examples of Memory Modules

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 5

DRAM
 SIMM technologies
 Can use either EDO or FPM technology
 DIMM technologies
 Can use either BEDO (burst EDO) or synchronous
RAM (SDRAM)
 RIMM technologies
 Each socket must be filled to maintain continuity

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 6

Identifying the DIMM Module

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 7

RIMM Technologies

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 8

RDRAM Memory Configuration

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 9

Installing Memory
 Protect chips against static electricity

 Usually modules pop into place easily and are

secured by spring catches on both ends

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 10

Installing a SIMM Module

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 11

Installing a DIMM Module

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 12

Installing a DIMM Module
(continued)

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 13

Installing a RIMM Module

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 14

Troubleshooting Memory
 What to do if the computer does not recognize
new SIMMs, DIMMs, or RIMMs, or memory
error messages appear

 Recurring errors during normal operations can

mean unreliable memory

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 15

Summary
 Memory
 Required in order for a system to work
 Stored on microchips, which are often stored on
memory modules (SIMMs, DIMMS, RIMMs)
 Adding more memory can improve system
performance
 How DOS, Windows 9x, and Windows
NT/2000/XP manage memory
A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition 16