RAM Upgrade - 168pin DIMM SDRAM?

Question

My old PC currently has 64MB of RAM, in the form of two 32MB DIMM SDRAM cards. There are only two slots for RAM on the motherboard.

Would there be any problem if I changed the two 32MB cards for two 64MB ones, to give me the 128MB needed to run Windows XP properly?

Could I go even higher? Two 128MB cards to give 256MB RAM for example? I don't know the limit my (Purchased in 1998) motherboard has on RAM but I assume it wouldn't like any more than 256MB.

Help on this matter would be greatly appreciated, as my poor Student budget doesn't give much leeway for mistakes :)

The computer was manufactured by the long since liquidated Tiny PC company. Hence, I have not been able to find out motherboard RAM limit, as no sites seem to have articles on redundant PCs.

Poking around inside the case with a torch, the motherboard appears to be a:

MICROSTAR MS6160.

Answer 1

Try visiting crucial.com and have its system scanner take a look at your machine. The scan doesn't cost anything. Even if the scanner doesn't know what to make of your computer's manufacturer, it should be able to tell you both 1) how much RAM you currently have installed and 2) how much your system is capable of handling. My guess is that your machine should be able to handle 256 MB, but use Crucial's scanner (or another one, if you prefer) to check and find out for sure.

The scan will also show what RAM sticks Crucial sells which are compatible with your machine. Generally, they're a pretty good deal; but sticks for older machines like yours tend to be more expensive (based on cost per meg) than newer ones. At the very least, you can get the vital stats on the sticks Crucial says will work, and then use that info to go shopping around for the best deal on RAM.

Answer 2

You have to go by make and model.

If you have a Pentium III or higher you upgrade. I do not think XP is effective on a Pentium III and was stuck with ME.

Go to the website of the maker of your system. Example: dell.com
Go to system support
Enter serial number of computer
Make and Model
Look at your max memory.

It will be very clear what you can put in the slots and if they have to match or mix and match. Both options of what you said seem feasible but it depends on the make and model.

Answer 3

If you were to tell us the make and model of the computer and/or motherboard, it would be easier to determine if the motherboard is capable of the amount of ram that you want

Answer 4

Yes, youre using really old technology. I think those board will do it. Ramm that old may be expensive. I used to be on a 100% ramen and beer diet, so I know what youre going through. Keep it up, good luck.