Can I transfer memory

[money24seven]

I have a pc running Vista Business but the memory is full and consequently is now making the pc run very slow. I also have an external hard drive with 509GB free space.

I wonder if installing memory cards from another pc will give me more space or will I need to purchase new memory.

Thanks

[RandyL]

Hi.

I think you may be confusing hard drive space with memory or RAM that is needed to run software, applications or Windows.

 

Right click on Computer and select properties. Is your RAM listed?

Left click on Computer. Your hard drive space used and free should show.

 

What is running slow? Is it internet, bootup, programs or something else or everything?

[Dalo Harkin]

Also dont confuse readyboost (which is when the page file is offloaded to a USB thumb drive or similar device) it is meant to speed the system up but when I have used it for people there have been no noticable differences.

[PseFrank]

Hello money24seven, welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

Just so we don't get confused between Memory/RAM (Random Access Memory) and Hard drive storage space.

 

The amount of storage space you have on your computer is dictated by the size of your Hard Drive.

 

It is possible to install a second or even a third/fourth HDD inside your computer. This will give you more storage space, but will not increase the speed of your computer. The storage space is measured in GB's. (Gigabytes)

 

However...If the storage space is nearly all used up by the amount of Documents/Files/Photos/Videos, etc, then this can have the effect of slowing down your machine. You should always try and make sure that a minimum of between 15% and 20% of your HDD's capacity is empty.

 

To find out how much storage space is being used on your machine...Do this:

 

Click Start > Computer (My Computer in WinXP) > Right click on Local disk ( C: ) Choose Properties from the menu.

In the window that opens you can see the total amount of space available on that drive, and also how much space has been used.

 

As for the amount of RAM you have installed on your computer. This is dictated by how much your mother board will take. By how many memory slots there are, and also the boards maximum capacity.

 

If you are able to...then increasing the amount of installed RAM is probably the single best way of increasing the performance/speed of your machine.

Note: You should be aware that it's not only the size of a stick of RAM that dictates its suitability for your computer, but also the type of RAM.

 

To find out how much RAM your machine will take, and also the type, then an easy way of doing this is to go to Crucials website and download their scanner. See the link below...

 

Memory upgrades from Crucial.com - About Crucial:Media Toolbox

 

Check (Tick) the terms and conditions box, and then click DOWNLOAD THE SCANNER

 

Crucials scanner will tell you the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed on your computer, and also the type of RAM you need.

 

Another good option for you would be to transfer at least some of your personal files and photos, etc, over to your external drive. This would free up space on your ( C: ) drive, and might give you a slight performance boost. Increasing RAM though is the best method.

 

If you have any questions please post back and ask....

Edited October 4, 2010 by PseFrank

[money24seven]

Many thanks for the responses:

 

C Drive is showing Capacity as 149 GB Used 140 GB Free Space 8.65 GB

 

The Crucial Scan revealed:

 

Maximum Memory Capacity: 8192MB

Currently Installed Memory: 1GB

Available Memory Slots: 3

Total Memory Slots: 4

Dual Channel Support: Yes

CPU Manufacturer: GenuineIntel

CPU Family: Intel® Core2 CPU 6320 @ 1.86GHz Model 15, Stepping 6

CPU Speed:

1862 MHzHow much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize) only 3GB or 3.5GB.

 

As I am running with 32-bit I assume my best option is to purchase (rather than transfer from an old pc)

3 x 1GB which will fill all slots and leave all equal capacity.

 

Am I correct on my thoughts here please.

 

I assume the idea of upgrading from 32-bit to 64-bit is probably somewhat crazy, it's probably better to save and buy a new system.

 

Wil

[PseFrank]

As I am running with 32-bit I assume my best option is to purchase (rather than transfer from an old pc)

3 x 1GB which will fill all slots and leave all equal capacity.

 

Hi Wil...

If I was you I would go ahead and purchase as much RAM as I could afford at the given time. The 3 x 1GB sticks should do the job nicely. You have no guarantee that the older RAM will work correctly anyway.

 

As already stated, you should also try and free up some space on your HDD, by backing up at least some of your personal files onto your external drive, and then delete what you don't need from your main drive..

[Dalo Harkin]

Windows requires 10% of an HDD 'space' to run optimally (you are below that) and need to get rid of what you no longer use/need.

 

As for the RAM, try and buy the fastest the board will take and dual channel helps too, If you need help choosing, we need the MOBO (Motherboard) make and model number