Off topic - Laptop memory upgrade question?

[ScouterMom]

I have a Gateway MX6445 laptop with 512 MB of RAM - the minimum needed to run the games my son likes. The computer is upgradable to a maximum of 2 gigs of RAM. I have not yet opened up the back, but I have purchased 1 gig of RAM to upgrade to. (our local store only HAD 1 memory card of the correct type in stock)

I have upgraded the RAM previously in desktops, myself, but not in a laptop. The information I get from the Gateway website http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/6000Series/5376faq7.shtml
says
"Note: There is not a Slot 1/Slot 2 designation for the modules. Any module may be used in any available slot. "

I do not yet know if my 512 mg of RAM is in (2) 256's or (1) 512.

My question is:
Does the 'note' above mean that I can put the new 1 gig in slot 1 and the leftover 516 (or 1 of the 256 RAMS, as the case may be) in slot 2? or do the memory cards have to be installed in equal pairs (if I use both slots) like the desktops required?


I know I can put in just the 1 gig card and leave the other slot empty, but hate the thought of 'wasting' the current 512 MB (or (2) 256's.)

Can anyone answer me in fairly simple english if I can upgrade to 1.25 or 1.5 gig RAM this way? or am I better off leaving it at the 1 gig, and leaving the 2nd slot empty until the store gets another 1 gig card in stock? (and spending another $60?)

Thanks -

Laura

PS -

anyone have any suggestion fo what to do with old memory, computer parts, etc - like 6-10+ yrs old?  I have alot of this junk in my basement - I hate to just throw it in a landfill.... But it's also too old to be useful to a school or anyone as active computers - except maybe, the monitors, which everyone has too many of!

[dkutz]

I have a Gateway MX6445 laptop with 512 MB of RAM - the minimum needed to run the games my son likes. The computer is upgradable to a maximum of 2 gigs of RAM. I have not yet opened up the back, but I have purchased 1 gig of RAM to upgrade to. (our local store only HAD 1 memory card of the correct type in stock)

I have upgraded the RAM previously in desktops, myself, but not in a laptop. The information I get from the Gateway website http://support.gateway.com/s/Mobile/Gateway/6000Series/5376faq7.shtml
says
"Note: There is not a Slot 1/Slot 2 designation for the modules. Any module may be used in any available slot. "

I do not yet know if my 512 mg of RAM is in (2) 256's or (1) 512.

My question is:
Does the 'note' above mean that I can put the new 1 gig in slot 1 and the leftover 516 (or 1 of the 256 RAMS, as the case may be) in slot 2? or do the memory cards have to be installed in equal pairs (if I use both slots) like the desktops required?


I know I can put in just the 1 gig card and leave the other slot empty, but hate the thought of 'wasting' the current 512 MB (or (2) 256's.)

Can anyone answer me in fairly simple english if I can upgrade to 1.25 or 1.5 gig RAM this way? or am I better off leaving it at the 1 gig, and leaving the 2nd slot empty until the store gets another 1 gig card in stock? (and spending another $60?)

Thanks -

Laura

PS -

anyone have any suggestion fo what to do with old memory, computer parts, etc - like 6-10+ yrs old?  I have alot of this junk in my basement - I hate to just throw it in a landfill.... But it's also too old to be useful to a school or anyone as active computers - except maybe, the monitors, which everyone has too many of!

I have been told not to put old memory with new, as it will effect the new memories performance

[wavemaker]

i think it will be alright to just stick the one gig in slot 1 and put the 512 in slot 2... i dont think the speed in the old chip will make a difference

Dean

[ScouterMom]

Great!  I did that, and it's working fine so far.....

But it didn't help the performance of the game we were trying to make work - I suspect it's the vidoe card, then, and I don't think that's upgradable in a laptop.....


But thanks!

Laura

[wavemaker]

ya know, the thing is it only lasts for about a year.. then ya need to buy a new one... the memory should of showed that its only half of the memory in it...   gateway not putting enough memory in it to begin with...

Dean

[austinado16]

Laura, update the driver's for the video card and see if that helps.  You can typically go into the menu screen of games and reset the resolution lower in order to speed up how the game runs.  Also, make sure you don't have a bunch of stuff running in the background while you're trying to run the game; turn off the anti-virus, and anything else that's showing down in the right lower tool bar.

[Hoagie]

Looks like everyone has already weighed in on the RAM issue, so I'll address your question regarding your surplus equipment.

The first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations for disposing used electronics in your area. Don't know about Illinois/Wisconsin, but out here in California they don't want any electronics disposed of in the trash. There are a lot of toxic materials (some in minuscule amounts) in a PC or monitor. The theory is that these build up over time, leach into the soil and contaminate the ground water.

Check to see if there is a hazardous materials disposal program in your area. They should be able to answer your questions regarding ridding yourself of this stuff. You are right concerning donating it to schools. They usually don't want anything that is more than a year old out here. But how about the local church, half-way house, veterans center, Elks Lodge, boys/girls club, etc.? We've had better luck donating to some of them. We have found that the typical charitable donation centers, Goodwill, SVP, Salvation Army, etc., will not take any used electronics.