Buying and installing extra RAM (Random Access Memory) is relatively cheap these days.

RAM stores data in memory cells which can be accessed at random by the computer when required. The more RAM you have, the more data can be stored and the faster your computer will run.

First of all you need to establish how much RAM is in your computer. To do this take the following steps.

In Microsoft Windows XP go to;

Start > Right-Click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Properties’

This machine contains 504MB of RAM

According to Windows this computer has 504MB of RAM. The actual amount is 512MB of RAM but the figure of 504MB is showing the amount of RAM currently being utilized by the computer system.

Next you need to decide how much more RAM you want which type of RAM you need.

If you are not very good with computers then this may be easier said than done. You would usually need to take the cover of your PC to see if you have an available slot to insert the RAM into and what type of RAM it is. RAM comes in various different types and different numbers of pins.

By far the easiest way to find out exactly what you need is to use a great tool from Crucial.com. Crucial have a tool which scans your computer and lets you know what you need and whether there is a slot available to accommodate it.

So now you have the RAM and you need to install it in your machine. Firstly unplug the machine from the power.

Then carefully remove the cover.

Before you touch any of the components on the motherboard you should really be wearing an anti-static wrist strap. This will earth you and stop any static electricity in your body from frying the motherboard.

You then need to identify where the RAM should go on your motherboard.

Below is an image of a motherboard with the RAM slots highlighted. The RAM will simply push into one of the spare slots.

Once you have done that put the cover back on, plug in your PC and power it on. Your computer may then inform you that the amount of system memory has changed.

You should now notice a significant improvement in your computers running speed.