This document provides information on how to improve computer performance by adding more RAM memory and installing antivirus software. It lists manufacturer websites like Dell, HP, and Lenovo where users can find their computer model and see which type and amount of RAM it supports. An alternative is Crucial.com which allows finding this information by manufacturer and model. Instructions are provided on safely installing RAM yourself or having a professional do it. The document also stresses the importance of having antivirus and anti-spyware software like AVG, Malwarebytes, and those provided by internet providers, to protect the computer from infection.

1. Using Technology to
Battle the Economy
How to speed up
your computer…

2. Manufactures Websites for
memory information
 www.dell.com or www.hp.com or www.ibm.com
 These are just a few of the more popular PC and
Laptop or Netbook manufactures and if you go to
the support pages you should be able to enter
your systems model number and find out what
type and how much RAM can be installed.

3. Dell’s Websites for
memory information
 www.dell.com
 Select Product Support and you will be taken to
the a web page that will ask you for the Service
Tag or Choose a Model
 The service tag is located on the back of the PC
or on the bottom of the laptop or netbook

4. Manufactures Websites for
memory information
 www.hp.com (HP & Compaq systems)
 Select Support and Drivers, then choose See
Support and Troubleshooting Information
 Enter in your product ID (example’s: HP Pavilion Media
Center a1640n Desktop PC or Compaq Presario 1200ZA Notebook PC)
 The web site will show you what type of RAM,
how to install it and some trouble shooting tips.

5. Manufactures Websites for
memory information
 http://www.lenovo.com/us/en/ (IBM desktop and
laptop models found here)
 Look for the support link, then user guide &
manuals.
 You will need Brand, Family, Type, Model and
Operating System.
 Follow instructions, you will need to find a 4 digit
-3 digit on small tag on front of PC and on the
bottom of Notebook

6. An easier way to look up
memory information
 www.crucial.com
 Step 1: Click on manufacture
 Step 2: Click on product line
 Step 3: Click on model
 The result should show what type of RAM and the
maximum amount of RAM your system can hold.
 Will also show you the price they charge for
memory. (look globally but buy local)

7. Installing memory into
your system
 You can do the upgrade but beware you will need
to get inside the system to install the memory
which will require you to unscrew screws or
release levers or both
 Every system is upgradable to a point – the
limitations are either physical (mother board) or
software (operating system software).

8. Installing memory into
your system
 Be careful to shut down your system (PC or
Laptop) and pull the power plug.
 Desktops can have wires and cables or other
obstacles in the way of installing RAM
 After shutting down a laptop pull the power cord
and remove the battery, locate the access panel
for memory (usually on the bottom but may be
under the keyboard).
 PC and Laptops memory can be hard to locate in
the system and install, sometime best left up to a
professional for installation.

9. Installing memory into
your system
 Installing RAM into a PC is sometimes easier if
you have a full size PC, the small form factor
systems can prove to be a little more tricky to
install RAM.
 You may have to move or re-move cables from
the PC to get to the RAM into place
 You may even loosen cables that cause boot
errors

10. Additional memory information
 You can buy your memory from Crucial or some
other on-line store but getting it installed and
working can take some doing on your part.
 You can’t always mix memory speed.
 There are at times when brand incompatibility will
show up.

11. Anti-Virus & Anti-spyware
information
 Have this type of software installed on you system
 In just under ten minutes on average an un-
protected computer will be infected with a virus
and/or spyware.
 Some anti-virus programs are invasive to the
resources available on your systems and this can
really slow down your computer system.

12. Anti-Virus & Anti-spyware
information
 The free anti-virus & anti-spyware like AVG,
Avast, Malwarebytes and PC Tools all have a free
pared down or manual run version available.
 Having protection running in the background is
always the best way to protect your system,
having a second piece of software to run is
another great way to protect your system.

13. Anti-Virus & Anti-spyware
information
 If you have AT&T DSL or Charter they offer free
online protection that you download and install.
 If you have CenturyTel they offer a pay to use PC
Security Suite.
 There is also the big name one’s McAfee, Norton
and Trend Micro.

14. Anti-Virus & Anti-spyware
information
 Here is a review of the top 20 Anti-virus software's:
 http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
 I also recommend that you have this piece of anti-
virus anti-spyware software on your system;
MalWareBytes.
 http://www.malwarebytes.org/
 Download and install MalWareBytes and run it at least
once a month.

15. St. Charles County
Technology Committee
 Thank you for joining us today to discuss
”Using Technology to Battle the Economy”