Installing Memory on a Dell Laptop

• 1). Turn off your laptop, disconnect the power cable, remove the battery pack and disconnect any miscellaneous cables and external devices.
  
  
• 2). To access the first memory slot, place the laptop face-down and remove the single Phillips-head screw on the RAM module cover. Remove the module cover and set it aside. Depress the retaining tabs on either side of the RAM module. Slide the RAM module out of the memory compartment at a 45-degree angle and set it aside very carefully. Always handle RAM modules on their sides.
  
  
• 3). Slide the new RAM module into the RAM compartment until you hear the retaining tabs snap the RAM into place. Place the laptop face-up, then open it up as far as it will go.
  
  
• 4). To access the other memory slot, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry up the keyboard cover. The keyboard cover is usually a small strip of plastic located between the keyboard and the LCD display. Remove it from the laptop base and set it to the side.
  
  
• 5). Remove the two to four Phillips-head screws (depending the laptop model), then lift the keyboard out of the laptop base. Place the keyboard face-down over the laptop's palm rest.
  
  
• 6). Disconnect the keyboard ribbon connector from the logic board, then remove the keyboard from the laptop base and set it to the side. This will reveal the keyboard RAM compartment.
  
  
• 7). Disengage the retaining tabs on either side of the RAM module, then slide it out of the memory compartment. Slide the new RAM module into the memory compartment until the the retaining tabs snap the module into place.
  
  
• 8). Reassemble the laptop by following the above steps in reverse order.
  
  

Install RAM on a Dell Desktop Computer

• 1). Disconnect the power cable, miscellaneous cables and external devices.
  
  
• 2). Remove the two protruding screws from the rear panel of the computer tower. Open the side panel to reveal the interior components of the computer. On certain Dell models you'll push release tabs on the top and bottom of the tower to open the panel.
  
  
• 3). Disengage the retaining tabs on either side of each RAM module. Remove the each RAM module from its respective memory compartment and set them aside.
  
  
• 4). Match up the notches on each new RAM module with the notches on the memory compartments inside the computer. Slide each new RAM module into a memory slot until the retaining tabs snap each module into place.
  
  
• 5). Replace the side panel and replace the two retaining Phillips-head screws on the rear panel of your Dell computer. Reconnect the power cable, miscellaneous cables and external devices, then turn on your computer.