Computer Memory (RAM)?

Question

I have a Dell Computer with 512mb RAM. To upgrade with another 512mb is not cost-effective. I have a 1mb memory stick that plugs into a USB port. Can I direct this chip to be used for additional RAM? If so, how?

I do know what RAM is. The chip is very expensive. The Dell price is over $325.00. The cheapest I have found anywheree is about $250.00. It is apparently a PCMI800. Alsi, my Memory stick is 1gb, not 1mb. Thank you all for your answers, looks like I am at the mercy of the manufacturer. I will just wait until I replace this computer.

Answer 1

negative. WAY too slow.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as Ram for a USB port. What you have is a 1gb memory stick. This memory stick can be used to store any type of files you have on your computer but it can not be used as RAM. Do you know what RAM is? Do you know what RAM does?
A brief explanation of Ram is this. RAM= random access memory
That don't mean much if you don't know what RAM does.
RAM is used when you run applications on your computer. Lets say you want to run windows media player.... Then decide to surf the net. Then you come across a game you want to play.. RAM is what allows you to do more than one thing at a time on your computer. Think of RAM as a bucket with a hole in the bottom of it. As you run processes on your computer this bucket fills up slowly and it empties or leaks as you shut down applications or processes. What is the reason you want more RAM? Is your computer slow or do you find that your not able to run 5 to 10 applications at the same time?
If you look for RAM from someone other than DELL it is NOT that expensive. I also have Dell computers and the one I am on now has 768 mb's of RAM and my other one has 1024 or approximately 1 gb. I edit allot of photos and run allot of photo programs as well as video files on my computer and the machine with the 1 gb works best for this. For all of my Internet needs I find that the 768 mb machine works just fine. Type Ram into Google once and you'll be surprised to see that RAM isn't that expensive. You can ask the vendor what RAM will work with your DELL also. Make sure to include the model of the DELL you own.

Answer 3

Windows Vista is supposed to let you do pretty much that as a basic part of the operating system.

In Windows XP and any earlier version that recognizes USB ports and devices you can put it in and force Windows to put the swap file on it using the drive letter assigned to it. Still, access to the memory in it is pretty slow compared to real RAM and rather comparable to disks. Sadly. Still, you can do it and might find your combination of equipment works well that way. Be REAL SURE you never just jerk it out though! You'll lose just about everything...

Some people use them for web access, putting everything they need on them and making all hard drives inaccessible to their browser. That way, anything evil happens, you just lose your set-up on the thumbdrive which you can simply restore by deleting everything and copying the good set-up directory from hard drive to the thumbdrive. You never risk your whole computer this way.

But... think swap file if you do not have Vista and I should think you don't with 512 Mb.

Answer 4

First off, a 1 mb memory stick? I think you mean 1 Gigabyte. It actually be less than a floppy disk if it were a memory stick. I'm not sure but I don't think it can be put as RAM. THe memory stick is like a mini hard drive, and the RAM is programmed to handle applications on the computer. So I'm not sure, you should ask some techno geeks at stores or somethin.

Answer 5

hi.... u r having 512 MB RAM. u have to upgrade that, there is no other alternative. u can upgrade u r RAM 1Gb to 4Gb that RAM support will depends up on the motherboard and u r requirement. my suggestion is that 1Gb is more than enough for now a days application.
hear we have some other alternative for improve the pc performance with out purchasing RAM that is increasing the virtual memory size. If u patience fallow these steps
step 1: right click on my computer.
Step 2:Click on properties.
Step 3:Click on ADVANCED tab.
Step 4:Click on SETTINGS button which is under
PERFORMANCE (in first line)
Step 5:Then click on advanced tab on newly opened window.
Step 6: Click on change button.
Step 7: it will show virtual memory tab hear the min and max size
is already defined by your OS, just change max size that
double of u r RAM. already u have 512 Mb change it with
1000 (mean 1Gb).
Step 8:finally click on set. then OK /OK/ OK

No external memory USB sticks are not used as RAM memory.

Answer 6

In order to use your 1GB memory stick as RAM, you would have to transfer all of your applications to the memory stick or flash drive which ever you to call it; it sorta kind of a huge problem than paying for more RAM; applications need alot of memory to start up that means you would have to leave your memory stick connected to your computer constantly. I would recommend buying a 40GB flash drive which you relieve your issues on memory.

Answer 7

there is a 3way plug that goes in the slot were the ram goes and the other end you can plug in two sticks of ram/ and your question yes your computer should automatically recognize the ram it should come up on the scene follow the instructions you my have to go to your settings and change disable your ram or try using both that will be even better.

Answer 8

sorry to say this but you can't, your 1mb memory stick is just for data, your system ram is different it is only (Random Access Memory) this is just for your motherboard. So just spend the money, but you can look around for some geat deals on memory.

Answer 9

No. The computer would only recognize the memory stick as storage. I'm assuming this is 1GB and not 1MB.

Is your Dell using RAMBUS memory? If not, 512MB of most types of memory can be as low as $40.00 and as high as about $100. That's not too bad.

Answer 10

NO.The ram in your mem stick is only use as a storage device (think of it as a external hardrive) not to confuse with the RAM in the PC.

Answer 11

Yes it can, you need or may have to ask im not sure and call for a cd/program to run the chip also it should allow the chips to run, and make sure you have an extra slot ( if you do not know the extra slot call your local computer tech) This is what i've done