RAM MIA

[Hanuman]

So there I was minding my own business, out in a grassy park or something and when I came back my process explorer application shows my RAM is nearly maxed out and I was like "What? I thought it was idling?" and indeed it was. Somehow my ram was cut in half, I checked the system specs and yes the ram is now reduced to a pitiful 250meg.
Does RAM just break randomly or do I need to feed it every 4 years under the glow of moonlight or what? I have no experience with actually fiddling with my hardware.

[bluestarultor]

First things first, is this a laptop or desktop? Is the RAM chip still in there? RAM can burn out, but it's also incredibly easy to install and, therefore, to uninstall. There's no reason it should have burned out for no reason that I'm aware of. How old is it? What do you normally put it through?

[Hanuman]

It probably burned out =/
It's been going at maximum capacity for the last 4 years.

[bluestarultor]

Well, in that case, you could use an upgrade anyway. I'll assume you have DDR2 based on the age of the computer. Take your pick (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170381%201052910525%201309121117&name=2GB%20%282%20x%201GB%29). Kingston is a good brand, but others are also pretty good. Getting a pair of 1GB sticks gives you a performance boost and 2GB, which is plenty for what you're probably using it for and should be within the limits of your motherboard. If you need help installing it, I'll volunteer to walk you through.

[Hanuman]

I haven't even looked inside this computer, it's technically a loan from a school I used to go to, but I seem to have slipped their records ;p

My funds are CONSTANTLY red-lining, and the only way I ever stay afloat is by having good connections, especially with hippies as they always have boundless information on how to live very well for very little.

As soon as I start working 60h/week I'll buy myself a proper powerhouse and give it an awesome name like Frigate or Baron or something like that.