So I have an HP Pavilion, its been running somewhat slow and I already did all the tips to get it back up. Then I noticed the physical free memory was hovering around 0-5, I opened up the desktop and there's only 2 slots that are already filled with 2 1GB sticks, online HP says I can upgrade to 4(3.3)GB Now I want to know if I buy 2 2GB sticks and take out the old sticks to put in the new ones what will I lose? will I lose any word documents? all the programs I have(itunes,norton,firefox etc.)? if I lose anything is there a way to prevent that or get it back?
You shouldn't lose anything. All of your data and programs are stored on the hard drive not the memory sticks (RAM).
ah thank you for the quick response, there's some great offers that end today and I wanted to take advantage btw what type of memory does the sticks hold?
The manual that came with the computer (or the online version at the HP website) will tell you the type of memory to buy. Also, Corsair (http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore/) and Crucial (www.crucial.com) have memory finders.
RAM is super cheap right now, but be careful what you buy, as there are different types depending on the make of your computer. You best bet is to bring in the manual, or if you dont have that, as much information as you can get about the model of your computer and go to a retailer like Best BUy. THey have a database that will show them what is compatible, etc.. Trying the instal the wrong kind can ruin your motherboard.
You could also run a utility called CPU-Z. It will tell you what flavor of RAM at least is currently in your system.