Hardware ID Facilitator's Guide

Hardware Identification Facilitator’s Guide

Box A
Cards and Memory


 * 1. Explain difference between cards and memory.

Cards, or "Expansion Cards", are used to add a function to the computer.

Memory is used for temporary storage and workspace.


 * Cards vs Memory
 * All about memory
 * Memory Sizing
 * RAM Sorting


 * 2.Memory - RAM (or Random Access Memory) is an important part of the computer system which is used by actively running programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on.

OBJECTIVE: To enable the builder to recognize different types of memory sticks. 1. DDR 2.RAMBUS 3.SDRAM 4.72-Pin SIMM 5.30-Pin SIMM Wiki - All about memory
 * 1. A stick of DDR is usually 5.25 inches long and has a single notch in it near the center of the stick.
 * 2. The newer DDR2 has a single notch that is slightly nearer the center of the stick, so it will not fit into a regular DDR slot.
 * 3. And the DDR3 stick also has a single notch on it that is slightly closer to the center.
 * 1. A stick of RAMBUS is usually 5.25 inches long and has two notches in it at the center of the stick.
 * 1. A stick of SDRAM is usually 5.25 inches long and has two notches in it, one near the center of the stick, and one closer to the side.
 * 1. 72 pin SIMMs are 4.25 inches long. The holes and notches need to match exactly since there are other objects that look like 72-pin SIMM but aren't, so see points A (side holes), B (center notch) and C (side notch) in the picture.
 * 1. 30-pin SIMMs are 3.5 inches long. These are the oldest types of memory we still see on a regular basis in System Evaluation. Note that they do not have a center notch.

Sort memory using flow chart. OBJECTIVE: To ensure volunteers can identify different sticks of memory. Wiki - RAM Sorting
 * Exercise 1

Practice putting the memory sticks into their slots on the motherboard. OBJECTIVE: To identify what type of memory the motherboard takes and to practice properly installing the correct memory into their slots.
 * Exercise 2
 * 1. Card slots point towards the back of the motherboard (show them to identify the back of the motherboard by looking for the outside connectors.) You can then say that the memory slots do not point unobstructed towards the back.
 * 2. Explain how the notches on the memory slots on the motherboard correlate with the notches on the sticks of memory.
 * 3. Open the clips, match up the notches and install the stick into the grooves at either end.
 * 4. Press down on the stick until the clips flip closed by themselves around the stick. This tells you that the memory is properly seated into the slot so it can function correctly. IMPORTANT - YOU CAN RUIN THE RAM AND FRY THE MOTHERBOARD IF YOU DON'T DO THIS!!!


 * Tips
 * If people get confused about the function of memory explain that when you buffer a video online that is memory, but when you download it, it goes to the hard drive. Sometimes this helps clarify what memory is.