add RAM somewhen later

As far as I know I'm totally fine when installing win7 now with 8GB ram and then somewhen later simply put another 4-8GB ram inside? So no need to change something in win7 or even re-install it?

Thanks

 

Nope, RAM is plug-and-play, so no settings changes are required.

 

alright thanks !

 

Just for completeness:

You may want to follow these guidelines:

Do a proper shutdown on your system. Don't sleep or hibernate - a complete shutdown will prevent possible O/S system file corruption.

Unplug the computer from the AC power outlet.

Remove the battery from the notebook.

Remove old/small RAM modules and/or install new RAM modules in empty available slots.

Make sure that each module is secured fully in the slot (it should make a distinct and audible 'click' when pressed in firmy/properly).

Insert the battery back into the notebook. Insert the power plug.

Boot up but go to your BIOS first (don't boot into Windows initially). Do a reset defaults all in your BIOS and reboot.

When Windows comes up, confirm that the total RAM installed is recognized and available for use.

Consider setting the pagefile.sys file smaller (it follows the size of the installed RAM - greater than 8GB RAM make this file 'balloon' to unnecessary sizes.

Consider disabling the Hibernation file (with 16GB RAM or more it is faster (usually, see if this applies to you) to do a cold boot than to do a resume from hibernation).

At the command prompt copy/type the following to disable the hibernation file:

powercfg -h off


to turn it on (if you decide you need it later), copy/type:

powercfg -h off


Download and install CPU-z to ensure your RAM is operating as expected (speed, Dual Channel config, etc.).

Finally, after all the above - download and run (I recommend overnight or longer, if possible) MemTest to verify that the new RAM is 100% stable.

Hope this helps.

 

I just turn it off, pop ram in, and turn it back on. No reason to get fancy.

 

+1

EDIT: Just to clarify, I do remove the battery and power supply before adding or removing components.

 

Remove both AC and battery from the laptop before you add or swap RAM sticks. Seriously how long does it take to remove the battery? Otherwise the whole RAM install procedure is a hit or miss. You're a pro... you remove all power from an electrical device before you start working on it. You can easily brick all RAM sticks by skipping this step not to mention you'll void your own warranty for that RAM just by not following a simple step.

+1 goes to tilleroftheearth

 

TwiztidKidd,

Thanks. I have seen M/B's fried by replacing RAM modules with the system's battery still installed.

I agree no reason to get fancy - but no reason to be D'oh! too.

 

Yeah, I don't think that's really necessary. But, removing the battery and unplugging the laptop is a must whenever you open up any part of a computer. You never know what might happen, and it's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

Indrek,

Not exactly necessary, but recommended (can make a noticeable difference on some systems/BIOS's and how efficiently the new RAM is utilized).

 

I'm not sure how/why this helps. I've just seen the results of this.

Upgrading many 100's (1000's?) of systems in my life, there are more than a few times when the system upgraded simply refused to boot (without resetting defaults in BIOS), would exhibit random glitches (BSOD's) or other system instability that would be miraculously 'cured' by doing a BIOS reset.

Granted, those times may be a long time ago - but it can also be because I simply reset the BIOS 'by default' too - if RAM, Firmware or cpu/gpu is changed/upgraded.

No specific systems and good point about reapplying any specific BIOS settings that you want/need (I do that too).

But in general, anything that is directly responsible for bring the system 'up' is changed/fiddled with - a BIOS reset (to defaults) makes sure that the new hardware/firmware is using the most stable (known) conditions.

The new UEFI booting methods may be different. I haven't had much experience in upgrading or changing components on those type of M/B's yet (they may be able to 'adapt' in real time to changes) - but they will also certainly be reset to defaults if any glitches or burps show up with a change or addition of new hardware and no other obvious reason for the suddenly unstable system.

I know this is not a complete or 'full' answer. A M/B designer may be able to answer better.

I can say though that if a new memory module seems faulty/flakey sometimes a simple BIOS reset makes the system stable again.

 

Hmmm, I guess you could see it that way.

The way I see it is that it is easier to do that step than have to wait/pray/watch for any signs of random instability to prove that I don't need to do it.