Gateway Parts

How do I find out about really old computer parts?

I recently pulled apart a computer my parents owned and tried to find out info for the RAM but there is no references to any parts please help me.

Public Comments

1. Try putting the RAM into a computer > go to run > type dxdiag >and just check the RAM from the system resources
2. How old is "old?" Also, you need to tell us what kind of operating system was on the computer. And what kind of microprocessor. Without more information, nobody can help you out.
3. Google, and u will find! the internet is full of sources about old computer parts
4. Usually there is a model number/part number on the part. Sometimes it is hard to tell. When I worked at a computer manufacturer, I remember going through this box of video cards where there would be two alphanumeric numbers on it, and one would come up on a google search, the other wouldn't. From that I could determine what kind of card it was. Any internet site still selling the product, means it is worth something, so you should be able to search for it. I remember finding 2MB and 4MB video cards. They are probably worth more their weight in silicon and copper then what kind of video output they have (most on-board video processor are at least 16MB). Not drag out a conversation on video cards... If the RAM is worth anything, look for a number starting with PC (like PC 100, PC 133, PC 2400.. etc). Most hard drives make model numbers obvious... If the computer is more than 10 years old, you may be better off recycling it.
5. Coud be EDO memory. Must be installed in matching pairs. There shoud be a part number on the sticks, a google search on the part number might help you identify
6. I can give you lot's of links to information on old computer parts, just email me,(Click on my avatar, email Chickster). If this is truly a really old computer it will use SIMM,(Single Inline Memory Module), ram memory 'sticks'. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIMM (In the photos on this page it really doesn't show you the size. Compared to Sdram,{SDR Sdram}, or DDR Sdram, DDR2 Sdram, they're small! This is because they either had 30 pins,{Or contact 'fingers'}, or 72 pins on the bottom. Sdram has 168 pins, DDR has 184 pins, and DDR2/DDR3 has 240 pins) The next evolution of ram is Sdram. (Really SDR or Single Data Rate Sdram. Everyone refers to it as Sdram. Misnomer! All ram memory from SDR Sdram to the present DDR3 is Sdram. SDRAM=Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). As stated above has 168 contact pins on the bottom, and two locating notches. Should you see a label that states PC100, or PC133, it means 100MHz and 133MHz respectively. Voltage can be anywhere from 5 volts to 3.3 volts. Ram timings differ, as do the chip configurations. This is why Sdram is so PICKY! lol! Ram manufacturers back then, did not follow a standard where all ratings were the same standard between manufacturers. The next evolution is DDR Sdram. Double Data Rate Sdram. Voltage is generally kept around 2.5 volts. JEDEC organization came out with a standard for all ram manufacturers to follow. Reputable ram manufacturers do follow the JEDEC standards. Just a small primer on ram memory for personal computers. Doesn't touch on ram for MAC computers. If I knew the computer manufacturers name and the model number of this computer, I could try to find you a PDF Motherboard Manual to download, plus try to find the system specifications when the computer came out. Take a look at these links, and see if the ram in your hand looks like one of these. (Count the number of pins on the bottom for a start. SIMM ram that has 72 pins on the bottom, is approximately 4-1/8" long. Sdram? About 5-1/4". DDR? Same. DDR2, DDR3? Same. Sdram has two locating notches. DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 has one locating notch. The locating notch for DDR3 is in a different location on the ram stick, than DDR2. Both have 240 pins) 1.Sdram,(SDR Sdram): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SDRAM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:SDR_SDRAM-1.jpg (See those number/letters on top? IRL DEM DP-100 064082A? That's the ram manufacturers code. Sometimes you can type that into your browser search bar, and come up with several search 'hits' that will tell you about the ram. What voltage, what size Dram chips, what configuration of the Dram chips, what ram timings, etc. Sometimes it's a partial list of that code, or different configurations of those letter/numbers that will get you spec's. No label, no code what-so-ever? You have to put the ram in a working computer. Then either go online with it, and go to Crucial.com, and use their Crucial System Scanner Tool,(Click on the 'Scan My System' button), or go to CPUID.com, and download CPU-Z. (CPU-Z is MUCH better! Crucial tells you what style, and what speed it is. CPU-Z tells you style, speed, ram timings, voltage, etc.) Non-internet ready computer? Again, ram has to be in a working computer. Download CPU-Z and burn it to disk. Put the disk in the CD-ROM drive of the computer, and open CPU-Z. Click on the .exe file. Dealing with Sdram? You better know. You can just put a stick of Sdram that you have into the computer, and see if it will boot up. Not a very intelligent thing to do, if you're trying to buy ram for it, huh? lol! PC100 Sdram,(100MHz) cannot be used in a computer that uses PC133,(133MHz). But you can use PC133 in a computer that uses PC100. The ram will clock down. Again, this doesn't hold true for all computers. eMachines, Compaq, and HP had their own specs. That is, the ram voltage, chip configuration, and ram timings must match, or be REAL close! Won't work otherwise. Shouldn't burn out the ram, just won't boot the computer up. DDR? Things are better. Usually, USUALLY, a one step down with MHz speed is cool. Two steps? Dunno'! Just depends on the BIOS program used, and the version. 2.DDR Sdram:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR_SDRAM 3.DDR2 Sdram: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR2_SDRAM (I know you said OLD! I thought I'd throw this in, to show you how to get around in Wikipedia.org. There are lots of links about computer related information, and more specifically the ram info you seek)