Install Memory
You should now install your memory modules. You need to make sure you have the right kind of memory for your motherboard, but you should have taken care of this already.
On older machines, there are a few installation guidelines to follow. Make sure the memory banks are full on your board. The memory banks will be outlined in your manual. On a Pentium system, 72-pin SIMMs must be installed in pairs. DIMMs can be installed alone. On 486 class machines, 72-pin SIMMs can be installed alone while 30-pin SIMMs must be installed in groups of four.
Most systems use 168-pin SDRAM or memory of newer formats such as DDR-DRAM. On these systems, memory can be installed in just about any combination and can be installed alone. So, this is the good news for those of you using modern technology. I assume most people using this tutorial will have hardware new enough to not worry about memory banks and all that crap.
Let's get on with it:
Decide which
slots you are going to use and orient the memory module over it. The module
will be keyed in such a way that it will only go in the correct way. So,
find the small notch in the memory slot and align the module so that that
notch will be inserted into the gap in the module itself. Easy.
Install the Module. With SIMMs (30-pin or 72-pin), you need to stick it
in at an angle, about 45 degrees. With DIMMs (anything newer than a SIMM),
they go straight in.
Lock the module in place. Obviously, SIMMs don't sit in the motherboard
at a 45 degree angle. Rotate it to the vertical position. This may require
a bit of muscle, but do not force it. If it is too hard, it is probably
installed backwards. When it is vertical, you should see the little plastic
or metal clips snap into place, thereby holding the SIMM in place. With
DIMMs, all you have to do is close the levers on either side of the DIMM.
If they do not close, it is because the DIMM is not inserted all the way
into the slot. A lot of times, you can just keep pushing the DIMM into
the slot and the levers will close automatically.
Done. Now just repeat these steps for each of your memory modules. When
you are done, double-check your work.