Hello everyone. I'm not the quickest study when it comes to computers so this has been an adventure 
I have an Acer Aspire AST180 Pc, AMD Senpron Processor 3200+, 1.81 GHz, 768MB of RAM. I'm running Windows XP, Version 2002 Service Pack 3.
I did my homework and purchased a 1TB external hard drive and 4 - 1 GB CT620427 - DDR2 PC2-5300 - CL=5 _ Unbuffered - NON- ECC - DDR2 -667-1.8V128meg x 64
(I apologize if all I'm giving you is part's numbers. The don't real mean anything to me but I've found in the past that the more info I give, the more likely I'm to get help ) I purchased it online from www.crucial.com. They did a scan of my computer and showed me what i have and what the manufacturer's recommendations are.(thought it was helpful)
I know that I have 4 slots and can put a max of 1 GB in each. I know that I have two slots occupied right now with half a GB each. I want to replace the two that are in now with the four new (and more powerful). I've also read that your ram will only work as fast as the slowest one, so adding two fast ones to the two empty. (Is this true?)
I've found tons of videos on how to add ram but none on how to remove what you have and replace it with something bigger. (I'm a visual learner ) What involved? Is it harder than I'm worried it will be or is it nothing more than removing the old and clipping in the new? Is this something I can do on my own or do I need to hire someone to tackle it?..... is there already a thread on this and I just didn't see it?
Thanks!!! 
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Computer illiterate Is ready for an Upgrade
Discussion is locked
First, do you know the RAM specs needed for your MB that will best match your CPU? Adding anything faster than what's called for doesn't add to performance. I'm going to guess that you MB supports DDR so you want matched modules in each RAM slot. Since you said the two in your machine now are 1/2 gig each, that you show 768MB means you're using 256MB for video. You can't put in more than 4 gigs with a 32 bit OS and more than 2 gigs with Win XP is probably going to be a waste. Here's what I would do. If I could find 2 512MB modules that match what you already have, I'd fill the remaining 2 slots with that. Otherwise, I'd buy 2 matching 1 GB modules, toss the ones in your machine now and install the new ones in the same slots. This would give you 2 gigs of ram minus the 256 megs for video which should be plenty enough for your machine. Sorry to say that I'd not expect this to improve performance by orders of magnitude.
Murphy's Law?
I've also read that your ram will only work as fast as the slowest one....true
is it nothing more than removing the old and clipping in the new? ......yes
Suggestion.
Make sure ALL power is removed from the machine.
Ground yourself one time and don't be sliding your feet around on some carpet while working with the innards.
thanks guys.
Just a few more questions before I start taring into my computer (or maybe just some more reassurance)
If I just pop out the old and install the new (of course after unplugging and grounding myself) I won't loose all the data i have on my computer now or will I have to reinstall everything?
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