Will a computer do anything without ram?

Picked up a used computer(gateway e-4400) with no ram and when I start it all I get is 3 beeps and a blank screen and then to shut it off I have to pull the plug. Is this to be expected?

 

You've answered your own question.

Thats what it does.



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yep got to have ram in it that why it beep 3 times to let you know it needs ram so get a stick of ram the kind it suppose to use and fire it up

 

There's a bit more to it than that hitman38. You'll need at least the amount your operating system requires. Window XP/Home needs at least 256mb JUST for the os. Then you want enough to run your software. my machine max's out at 1 gig of ram, and I have it maxed out.

 

not more to it he just needs ram and the right type of ram and you can get by with 128mb of ram on xp home edition but the more ram you have the better

 

opps here are the actually minimum hardware requirements for Windows XP Home Edition
Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is recommended)
• At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)
• At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
• CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
• Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing device
• Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600)or higher resolution
• Sound card
• Speakers or headphones

 

only 128? I would have sworn it was 256. But then I have some hardware installed. I run a TV tuner card. But yeah. these beasts won't do crap without ram.

 

a computer without ram will keep a door open, it will collect dust, it will sit quietly in the corner, it will do many many things



but will not compute

 

very good point MattInVegas more hardware and stuff you have then alot of ram is a must

 

I have Vista
2.66 GHZ Core 2 Duo CPU
2 Gigs DDR2 Ram
7600GT card
soon to be getting a sweet case

 

I can't imagine trying to run XP with only 128MB of ram!

Luckily ram is not usually very expensive. I personally would suggest getting atleast 512MB. That should be enough if you just surf the net and type papers. If you do any gaming 1G would be better. If money is not a problem max out your ram.

 

Now here's where you and I show our ages.

Used to, an 8mb chip would cost hundreds of dollars!

A 386 processor system, with 25mhz of power could easily run over $10,000.

I don't miss the good ol days at all. Heh.


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