From all I have read in this forum about how things can go so wrong with RAM installs I am a bit paranoid to install the new ram I just bought for my Dell Dimension 4600. I ordered it on line from Kingston and called when I received it to make sure it was compatible though the invoice said for a Dimension 4550. Support said it was the right stuff so I am about to do it. Has anyone ever installed RAM without adverse affects? Also any tips on this process. I have done this before in my old computer and it was fine. I guess I shouldn't read this forum as much as I do.I've installed plenty of RAM without any problems, going back to the mid 1990s. I usually bought it from a local shop which had a knowledgeable guy there, one time I got some PC133 RAM for my AMD K6 and it wouldn't work, I told him, he looked at the module and said "Oh, you must need the double sided stuff" and swapped it for a module with chips on both sides. Worth paying a little bit more for that kind of help.

People often run into trouble if they don't check recommendations, ignore compatibility lists and just go for the cheapest module they can find from a non-name supplier, in my opinion.

I've got a little Shuttle, they are supposed to be very fussy about RAM, I looked at the maker's website, ordered some TwinMOS modules from a web supplier, it booted first time, it has run like a little champ for 2 years now.

You did the right thing ordering from Kingston and specifically asking if it was compatible. Now you have a path back if it isn't.





thanks, that makes me feel a bit more confident. I am going to give it a shot this afternoon when I get time. If you hear this loud scream it will be after something went wrong. Yes after reading all the horror stories on this forum I decided to go with a forum jocky's recommendation. Kingston was on his list. Now if I can just watch out for static electricity I should be ok.Remove all power sources to the machine...handle the RAM without TRYING to touch the contacts...there are plastic white levers at both ends of the RAM slots...make sure these are open all the way when inserting the RAM.

Pay attention to the ones you remove as far as the long and short contact ends and where they line up.

It takes a bit of force but not too much and as you press it in those two levers at each end should snap up and lock the RAM in place.

Stay grounded to the case ...take your time and you should be fine.

While the case is open check for dust bunnies especially on fans and heatsinks. They can be blown out with a can of compressed air...

Good Luck as i said you should do fine.Thanks. I am not taking any out I am adding two. I have two slots filled with what came with the computer (512 MB total) so I am filling the other two slots with two 512. This should bring me up to a Gig and a half if they all work in tandum like I understand they are suppose to. thanks Again for the tips.I just installed 1G of Kinston Hyper X memory in my 4550 (1.8mhz P4), up from 768, only two slots, and I noticed a definite increase in speed over whatever memory I had purchased from Dell. My problem is with the install of a 3.0mhz CPU along with it. But the memory was cake.Well the reason for this memory upgrade is that I am trying to edit video and I get a really jerky playback. Perhaps a faster processor will be my next upgrade if this doesn't work. I was unaware that you could even change the processor without changing the Mother Board and that is way beyond what I want to get into. I just as soon buy a new computer.The physical part of installing a new CPU isn't any more difficult than adding memory..you can do it pretty easily on my 4550. That being said, I don't know yet whether my problem is with the new CPU or if there are other procedures that need to accompany the new CPU install. I just switched back to the old 1.8 and everything works fine. Just make sure you have the matching pin configuration on the new CPU..sounds sort of like I know what I'm talking about eh? LOL . Well I haven't DESTROYED anything yet. Good luck.Well the good news is that my new 1GB Ram install went very smoothly and every thing works lightning fast. I feel very proud of myself. My DSL internet has never been faster. Windows open so fast they startle me. The bad news is that the playback in my VEGAS Movie Studio is still jerky which is what I SUSPECTED would happen. I am now blaming the software. The playback may be jerky but the CD and DVDs burn just right so I guess the software buffer is slow. So if I can put up the playback I can produce some pretty nice video. Thanks everyone for all your help and if I get the itch to upgrade my processor speed, "I vill be BAC". Thanks again. I know i've suggested it before but travel to majorgeeks.com and browse their video section for some great alternatives ( most free ) for editing software...you may be pleasantly surprised.

What exactly are your editing requirements ? ?Well my editing requirements are fairly simple. I have a Sony DCR 108 DV handicam and Vegas Movie Studio with DVD creator that was packaged with it. I am new to all but it all works pretty well together. I have mpeg 2 video which is what the camera produces and it also saves DVD video files to mini disc but I usually download the files via USB port to my computer. I can import mpeg and audio fine into my editing software and I edit with no problems except for the jerky playback. I can burn DVD or CD video with no problems but the jerky playback drives me crazy. I try to ignore it knowing all the end results will be fine but it is still distracting. I not only do video but Vegas lets you do the Old Ken Burns technique of using stills with video movement which I love. I incorporate both. My grandson was born with 1/2 of a heart during Katrina so my video of him is very precious to me. His visit to the zoo for the first time is my first project so I have enjoyed every minute. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so picky considering all is working fine even though the playback is weird. I still suspect the Audigy 2 audio Creative Sound Blaster. What do you think?No. The Audigy is a sound card and shouldn't affect the video playback.

Try some of the free products from the site i suggested to see if 9things improve. You said the additional RAM did not help ? ?

If so i suspect the software as you did...Well the strangest thing has happened. My Video playback no longer jerks. It is like the RAM just suddenly kicked in. But, there is alway a but, the audio volume is about half what if used to be. I can live with it but full volume is now about normal listening volume when it used to be really loud all the way up. All this media "stuff" is perplexing to say the least. I don't know how you guys keep up with all this information.