Memory type help

[bojovan]

My son wants to install DSL but he does not have enough memory. He has an older IBM Aptiva E- series 240. He is not much of a computer buff and lives out of town. He ask if I could help him install more memory when we travel there for the Holidays. I have some extra memory but I have no idea what type he needs. Can someone give me an idea of what type memory he needs.

[Abhoth]

Try looking it up here.... But you'll need a bit more info...

[DrMDJ]

A question though... What makes your son thinks he needs more memory in the first place? By default having/getting DSL has no memory requirements.

[Divergent Species]

My first thought is the same as DrMDJ. However, he may have other ideas about gaming or other stuff on the net which may require more memory and potentially a better system.

In any case, if you could provide a better description of the model number, you could probably find the technical support manuals on the IBM site in PDF form. I used to have an IBM Aptiva 2170 and still ahve a link to the technical support manuals for that model. However, when I went on the IBM site, I could not find anything for an Aptiva E240.

[bojovan]

Originally posted by DrMDJ
A question though... What makes your son thinks he needs more memory in the first place? By default having/getting DSL has no memory requirements.

When he tried to install the software for his DSL he gets a message that he needs @ least 128 meg memory. In other words it will not install

[DrMDJ]

Ahhh! I hate it when those provider/vendor programs impose those type requirement checks. Most of the time they are nonsense. Nonetheless, if their installer procedure is checking...

Then as has been said, more info on the system is needed to determine the type of memory needed.

[bojovan]

Originally posted by Triple7's
It's an Aptiva 2158, "model 240"
Uses 168 Pin PC-100 SDRAM, 256mb max.
It's all right there on IBM's site if you just look.
Play it safe and stick with the PC-100 stuff since your going out of town to do this. PC-133 will usually work on most computers but there may be a board compatability problem with older proprietory systems and some PC-133 makes are not backward compatable.

Thanks much. Now I need to know if it will take a single 256 chip that I have?

[Orin]

If you pull the other chip, it should be fine.

[bojovan]

I was told that the 256 would work but it may only be recocnized as a 128, this would be fine if it does.

[photolady]

256 would work but it may only be recocnized as a 128

True. That is what Triple7's posted. The slots will only see 128mb of memory, that is determined by the mb. So if you put in a 256mb chip, only 128mb will be read.

[robcaro]

Seems to me like he also needs a 10/100 Ethernet card or an available USB port. Better check on this. As for memory, he should definitely use 2 PC100 128mb memory sticks.

[LotusAstra]

But the thing is??? does this CD really need to used... i've never used DSL myself so i'm not sure.

With dial-up u can usually set things up manually and with my cable connection everything is automatically setup by windows, maybe DSL is the similar?

...Most ISP's supply these setup CD's, but usually it's not a requirement unless you use AOhelL.

Regards

[Divergent Species]

LotusAstra has a good point. When I installed SBC DSL last year, I called their support line and told them I did not want to install all of their Yahoo IE crap as I used Netscape. They walked me through a reduced install that avoided all of this. Potentially your son could do the same.