Computer Memory For People Who are Not Techies

The history of computer memory can be traced back to the year 1834. At this point in history computers were still the stuff of Science Fiction, however, this is where the conception of memory for machines began. In 1834 an "Analytical Engine" was created by Charles Babbage. Mr. Babbage's "Analytical Engine" was a precursor to the computer. It's "read-only" memory came about in the fashion of punch cards, much like ones used in common day voting in some states in the US.

Nearly one hundred years later in 1932 "drum memory" was invented in Austria by a man named Gustav Tauschek. A few brief years later a patent was made for mechanical memory by Konrad Zuse. In 1936 Konrad Zuse based his computer memory on sliding metal pieces.

Three years later in 1939, an inventor created a prototype for memory based in the usage of neon lighting. This man, Helmut Shcreyer made an extraordinary break through in his work with using lighting as a means for providing memory.

The evolution of memory that would eventually lead to the Random Access Memory or RAM for short, that is used in modern day computers continued to spring forth in the 1940's.

Using various techniques and proven methods from the inventors of the 1930's, the Berry Computer was created. The Berry Computer relied on two revolving drums for its first wave of memory which was 60 50-bit words, and then relied on punch cards for it's secondary wave of memory.

In Los Angeles in 1947, Frederick Viehe, patented a core memory that was based on magnetism. It was during this same year that several other inventors began to experiment and perfect magnetic drum memory. These inventors each did this independently of one another. An Wang, Kenneth Olsen, and Jay Forrester were all pioneers in this type of memory collection and creation.

Two years later in 1949 Jay Forrester continued his experimentation when he came up with the concept of how magnetic memory is used today. He did this with the use of wires that called on the cores. The work of Jay Forrester would later render all previous attempts at creating and working with memory obsolete. However, if it had not been for the trials and errors of those before him, Jay Forrester may never have been able to achieve the type of memory he created in 1949.

Running with 256 40-bit words of first hand memory and 16k words of memory on a drum, Ferranti Ltd. created the first official computer which only ended up selling eight units in the year of 1950 in which it was released.

This evolution and advancement in computer memory continued to blossom throughout the 1950's and 1960's.

Intel came on to the scene in 1969 when they created a chip that held 1 KB of Random Access Memory. In fact, this computer chip is the largest computer chip ever made to day.

Each of these inventors played a part in the history of computer memory. Without their dedication and dreams, computer memory as we know it to day would never have been created.

All computer use a specific type of memory known as RAM or Random Access Memory. Now there are many types of Random Access Memory that each computer comes installed with. These types include: DDR, SDRAM, and Rambus DRAM. The main purpose of a computers Random Access Memory (RAM) is to run and operate every piece of software that you computer has installed, along with every program that you personally install on the computer.

However, Random Access Memory (RAM) does not stop there. You use your computers Random Access Memory (RAM) every single time you turn it on. Immediately, upon starting your computer, the computers Random Access Memory (RAM) is called into action and begins running and operating your system. It also follows the directions and commands that you call out with every key stroke and click of the mouse you make.

The more that use your computer, the more programs you install, and the more files that you add to your computer library including: music files, movie files, image files, and even documents, takes away from your computers Random Access Memory (RAM).

If you are a "heavy" computer user who carries out a great deal of daily tasks on your computer, or a "heavy" computer user who make countless downloads or plays graphically heavy computer games or works with a great deal of photo or video editing programs, you will no doubt want to add to your computers Random Access Memory (RAM).

Upgrading your computer memory is a very simple task to undertake. There are three specific routes that you can take in order to upgrade your computers Random Access Memory (RAM).

The first route that new computer owners can take when it concerns upgrading your computers memory is to check out your computers warranty. If you computer is newer and is covered by a warranty, you will want to check out the specifics as far as upgrades are concerned. Most computer warranties offer discounted pricing for making upgrades while the computer is still under warranty. However, each and every warranty varies. You will need to look into the specifics of your computers individual warranty in order to determine the necessary steps that you will need to take in order to upgrade your computer without breaking your warranty.

The second route that you can take if you don't have a warranty on the computer you wish to upgrade is to contact your local computer dealer or store. The majority of computer stores that specialize in computers, also offer memory upgrade services. When upgrading your computers memory in this manner you are in good hands. The computer stores trained professional can run memory diagnostic tests on your computer and can determine how much of your computers memory is used and how much is currently available. They can then tell you how much memory you need to add to your computer to keep it running properly and can execute the memory upgrade for you.

Thirdly, all computer owners have the right to upgrade their computers memory on their own. However, this is not recommended. If you are not a trained professional you run the risk of damaging or corrupting your entire computer system when attempting to make upgrades on your own.

At some point and time most avid computer owners will consider upgrading their computers Random Access Memory or RAM for short. The more immersed that computer owners become with the Internet and with spending time on their computers, the more programs that they will download and load onto their computer. They will begin to collect thousands of files including: documents, music, and even movies. All these types of programs and files will take away from your computers Random Access Memory, and will eventually slow down your computers overall operation and performance.

When considering the upgrading of your computer memory and the adding of additional Random Access Memory to your system there are a few steps that should take and consider.

First, you should begin by checking out your computers warranty if it came with one. Most computers have limited or paid warranties that actually cover or offer discounted prices for upgrades if you use their services. Likewise, many warranties have strict regulations. In fact, many computer warranties carry a clause that automatically cancels your warranty if you use another service to upgrade your computers Random Access Memory (RAM), other than their required or recommend service. Additionally, if you attempt or install additional Random Access Memory (RAM) in your computer on your own, your warranty may be closed without notice.

Once you have checked out your warranty you will need come up with the best plan of action that suits your needs. If you decide to go with the limitations and guidelines that your warranty directs then you will most likely be required to take your computer to a specific location wherein they will carry out the complete upgrade for you.

However, if you computer is not covered by a warranty then you will have more of a choice in the next steps you take when it comes to upgrading your computer Random Access Memory (RAM).

There will be two routes you can take with step two. You can contact local computer stores which carryout upgrades to computer memory to compare rates and can choose the one that has the best value for what you need. All you will need is some basic information that you will be required to present to the computer store. This will include the specifics of your computers operating system and how long you have owned the computer. Apart from this you will need to inform them what types of upgrades you would like and how much additional Random Access Memory you would like to add to your computer.

In addition many computer stores will actually run a diagnostic test on your system if you give them permission to do so and can recommend what additions and upgrades are necessary to your system.

Still, if you want to save money you can always consider upgrading your computers memory on your own. Memory chips can be purchased from computer stores and even from average retail store outlets. The directions for how to properly install such memory chips can easily be found in the packaging of the computer chip or can be found for free online.

There are many methods and products available on the computer market today that allow you to save important documents, videos, images, or even music files on memory chips that are not actually a part of your desktops or laptops external hard drive. These products allow computer users to transfer items from one computer to another, or allow them to simply store the items on a separate memory chip in order to free up space of their main computers Random Access Memory (RAM).

For instance, computer owners can now purchase and obtain an External Hard drive for your computer. An external hard drive contains its own sect of Random Access Memory (RAM), wherein you can store important files such as music, images, documents, or movies. You can also actually store specific programs which are large in size such as popular computer games or editing software that you don't want to effect your main computers Random Access Memory (RAM).

External Hard drives are simply accessed by plugging them into your main computer via a USB Port. You can then locate and use the external hard drive by finding it via your main computers Program listing.

The only downside to external hard drives is that many computer users at one time, used them to transfer files from one computer to another. However, the other computer could be located in an entirely different building. External hard drives are not the smallest items and in fact are pretty bulky even though they have decreased in size over the years.

That is why in the past few years computer sticks, also known as memory sticks, have become widely popular amongst computer users who like to transfer files from one computer to another. They are widely popular among students and business workers who work on multiple operating systems.

Most computer sticks or memory sticks are about the size of a common cigarette lighter. They each contain a memory chip that can vary in size according the manufacturer. Generally you can store and transfer smaller sized files such as documents, power point presentations, small videos, photographs, and small movie files using a computer stick or memory stick.

The majority of computer or memory sticks simply plug into any computer open USB Port. They also generally have software installed on them, that makes them easy to use on any and every operating system. In fact, they generally self-install without the need to install actual software from a disk on the computer or computers you will be using the memory or computer stick on.

Every year more and more powerful computer memory sticks are being released onto the market. This has to do with advances in technology and consumer demand. The first memory sticks released on the market could only hold a handful of small files, however as more and more businesses began allowing their workers to take their work home with them, manufacturers heard an outcry from their consumers to create memory sticks that had more memory available on them. This is why most modern day memory sticks can hold substantial amounts of information with ease and little effort.