Doing computer repair for a living, I get many questions about how to speed computers up. When it comes to improving your computer's performance, adding more memory has always been the best 'bang for the buck'. And it's not that hard to do. Here's how to upgrade or add more memory to your laptop or desktop computer.

When you start to look at upgrading your computer's memory, you need to know three (3) things: the type of memory it uses, how much memory you currently have, and the maximum amount of memory your system can handle. Computer memory is installed into slots on the motherboard. Laptops use SO-DIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module) slots, and desktops use DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) slots. The amount of memory slots varies from a laptop (1-2) to a desktop (2-8). High-performance motherboards, like the ones used in servers, can have 16 or more memory slots.

There are a couple of ways to find out the memory specs of your computer. The first is the tried and true method, the manufacturer's manual (either system or motherboard) and physically checking the slots in the computer (some laptops have the memory slots in two different locations). Or you can download a program like CPU-Z to find out what type of memory is in your computer. In some cases, instead of just adding more memory, you may have to replace the existing memory modules with larger ones.

Once you have found out what type of memory you need, it's time to purchase it. You can buy it online or locally. But remember, if you need to return it, it's easier to do it locally. Also, if you need two or four memory modules, many vendors offer twin and quad packs of memory for less than the individual price. Once you have your new memory, it's time to install it.

Note: Remember to disconnect the power going to the system before working on it.

• Desktops - Disconnect the power cord going to the computer
• Laptops - Disconnect the ac charger and remove the battery (if possible)

How to remove a laptop memory module from the memory slot

1. Spread apart the securing clips on each end of the memory module slot until the module pops up.
2. Remove the memory module from the memory module slot.

How to install a laptop memory module into the memory slot

1. Align the notch in the memory module with the tab in the memory module slot.
2. Slide the memory module firmly into the slot at a 45-degree angle, and press the memory module down until it clicks into place. If you do not hear the click, remove the memory module, and reinstall it.

How to remove a desktop memory module from the memory slot

1. Push the release tabs near both ends of the memory module slot until the module pops up.
2. Remove the memory module from the memory module slot.
   

How to install a desktop memory module into the memory slot

1. Align the notch in the memory module with the tab in the memory module slot.
2. Insert the memory module vertically and press down until it snaps into place.

With the release of the Windows 8.1 Update, all new users have a new group of tiles on the Start screen: This PC (My Computer), PC Settings, Documents (My Documents), and Pictures (My Pictures). If you're a Windows 8.1 existing user or still running Windows 8, you will not see these added to your established Start screen; only new profiles get these. Windows RT users only get the PC Settings tile. Here's how to create the Windows 8.1 user group of tiles on the Start screen.

1. On the Start screen, left-click on Desktop.
2. Left-click on File Explorer on the Taskbar.
   
3. Right-click on This PC and left-click on Pin to Start in the context menu.
4. Right-click on Documents and left-click on Pin to Start in the context menu.
5. Right-click on Pictures and left-click on Pin to Start in the context menu.
6. Left-click on the Start button or press the Windows logo key to bring up the Start screen.
   
7. Bring up the search charm: Windows 8 - Press the Windows logo key + F or bring up the Charms bar and select Search. Windows 8.1 - Left-click on the Search button.
8. In the Search box, type PC Settings. In the search results, right-click on PC Settings and select Pin to Start.

Microsoft recently released the Windows 8.1 Update (actual name), the latest refinement of Windows 8.1. Most of the changes are targeted at keyboard/mouse users, like me. The update comes only months (10/17/13) after the initial release of Windows 8.1 and includes user interface enhancements and security fixes. Here's a look inside Windows 8.1. Update.

The update builds on the previous Windows 8.1 changes geared towards keyboard/mouse users: the return of the Start button, smaller tile size on the Start screen, and booting directly to the Desktop. But the overall focus was still on touch-sensitive devices. The Windows 8.1 Update changes all of that.

The first thing you'll notice is the default behavior of Windows 8.1 has changed. Windows 8.1 now checks to see if there is a touch-sensitive display attached to the computer and modifies the way it runs. For example, if your computer doesn't have a touch screen, the default programs that open pictures, videos, and music files go back to the familiar Desktop apps that Windows 7 used. Here's a complete list of the changes to Windows 8.1 behavior:

New Windows 8.1 Update Start screen features

The Start screen has seen some Desktop friendly revisions too. Microsoft has finally added a Power button, so you no longer have to log-off to turn off or restart your computer. Also added are familiar Desktop style content menus for the Tile properties. There are also a new set of tiles that are added for new users; This PC, PC Settings, Documents, and Pictures. They won't appear for existing users but can easily be recreated if you want them.

New Metro app Title Bar with Minimize and Close buttons

Microsoft also made some changes to the Metro (Windows RT) interface. In an effort to make it more Desktop friendly, Metro apps now have a drop-down Title Bar on top, similar to Desktop programs, with Minimize and Close buttons. Metro apps can now be pinned to the Taskbar (the Store is automatically pinned with the update).

For more information on the Windows 8.1 Update, just follow the link below.

Exploring Windows 8.1 Update

The end of life for Windows XP has been and still is a major headache for consumers. You've got your old computer set up just the way you like it, and it's running fine. But there comes a time when you need to move to a newer and more secure operating system. Here's a couple of ways to move from Windows XP to Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1.

A screenshot of the website AmIRunningXP.com

Upgrade the operating system on your existing computer

The biggest problem with this scenario is that there is no way to do an in-place upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 or Windows 8 / 8.1. First is the different partition, folder, and file architecture. The second is that the majority of Windows XP installations in-use are 32-bit. Almost all versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8 / 8.1 in use are 64-bit. You can still get 32-bit versions of them, but with the 4GB memory limit, they are not very popular. If your computer was built within the last 5-7 years, it might be compatible with Windows 7 or Windows 8 / 8.1.

Windows 7 / Windows 8 / Windows 8.1 hardware requirements:

• Processor: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) (32-bit) or 2 GB (64-bit)
• Free hard drive space: 16 GB (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
• Graphics card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver

How to upgrade your existing computer from Windows XP to Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1

1. Download the Windows Upgrade Assistant to check to see if the hardware in your existing system meets the minimum hardware requirements.
   Windows Upgrade Assistant
2. Check your existing hard drive for errors.
   Detecting and repairing disk errors in Windows XP
3. Defragment your existing hard drive.
   Using Disk Defragmenter in Windows XP
4. Do a complete backup of your existing computer to an external hard drive or network drive.
   Using Backup in Windows XP
5. Download and install PCmover Express. Transfer all of the users' documents and settings to an external hard drive or network drive.
   PCmover Express
6. Perform a clean installation of Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, erasing the existing partition(s)
7. Set up your new user account(s) with the same name(s) as your old user account(s).
8. Attach your hardware (printers, scanners, etc.). To get the full functionality of your devices, you may have to install the manufacturer's software.
9. Install all of the programs you had installed on your previous version of Windows. This way, when you transfer your documents and settings, the file associations for your documents will be already set up.
10. Download and install PCmover Express to your new version of Windows.
    PCmover Express

Migrate from your old computer to a new computer

This, by far, is the easiest way to go. The only problem might be if your existing programs are not compatible with the version of Windows on your new computer. If you find that a program won't run right out of the box, you may be able to run it in 'Compatibility Mode' for another version of Windows.

How to migrate from Windows XP to Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1

1. Download the Windows Upgrade Assistant to check to see if the hardware attached to your existing system meets the minimum hardware requirements.
   Windows Upgrade Assistant
2. Do a complete backup of your existing computer to an external hard drive or network drive.
   Using Backup in Windows XP
3. Download and install PCmover Express. Transfer all of the users' documents and settings to an external hard drive or network drive.
   PCmover Express
4. Set up your new user account(s) with the same name(s) as your old user account(s).
5. Attach your hardware (printers, scanners, etc.). To get the full functionality of your devices, you may have to install the manufacturer's software.
6. Install all of the programs you had installed on your previous version of Windows. This way, when you transfer your documents and settings, the file associations for your documents will be already set up.
7. Download and install PCmover Express to your new version of Windows.
   PCmover Express

Also, here's a series of articles I wrote a few years ago on my personal experience upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7.

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 1)

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 2 - Drive Imaging)

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 3 - Hardware / Software Inventory)

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 4 - Windows 7 Installation)

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 5 - Applications and Settings)

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 (Part 6 - Epilogue)

If you haven't heard by now, Windows XP has come to the end of its life. After April 8th, 2014, Microsoft will no longer support Windows XP, which means no more security patches or hotfixes. Using Windows XP as a primary operating system is no longer an option. But you can still use your old version of Windows XP and the installed programs on a newer version of Windows using a Virtual Machine (VM).

A physical-to-virtual migrated version of Windows XP inside of VirtualBox running on Windows 8

The problem most people are having with going to a new version of Windows is that they have software installed on Windows XP that they cannot install or will not run on a more recent version of Windows. Either the software came pre-loaded, they lost the installation media, or the company went out of business. If you're one of these people, there is hope.

I've written a few times about using VM's to run different operating systems on the same computer. You create a virtual hard drive and install your operating system inside of it. You can also create a virtual hard drive from your physical hard drive. This way, you can upgrade to a newer version of Windows and still access your old Windows XP programs.

Note: With the change of hardware from physical-to-virtual, Windows will need to be re-activated. Physical-to-virtual hard drive migration of a Windows installation is a valid function for customers with full retail copies of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

To do this, you will need two programs, Microsoft's Windows Sysinternals Disk2vhd and Oracle's VirtualBox. Both programs are free for personal use, and the links to the software are below. The first thing to do is create a virtual hard drive from your existing physical hard drive. Startup Disk2vhd, and you get only a straightforward menu. Select 'Prepare for use in Virtual PC' and 'Use Volume Shadow Copy' and deselect 'Use Vhdx'. Next, select the location for the virtual hard drive file. For the best performance, you should create the virtual hard drive on a different physical drive (network or external).

The Disk2vhd main screen with options

Now it's time to install VirtualBox on the new system. Remember also to download and install the VirtualBox Guest Extensions. Once installed, copy over the virtual hard drive you created with Disk2vhd. Next, you create a new VM with settings (operating system, memory, etc.) based on your old computer. You then will be prompted to create a new virtual drive or use an existing one. Browse and select the virtual drive that you created.

Modified boot menu in physical to virtual migrated version of Windows XP

The first time you start the VM, it will find the new VM hardware and try to install drivers for them. If it fails to find drivers, just go to the 'Devices' tab on the top menu and select 'Insert Guest Additions CD image'. Open Windows Explorer and browse to the virtual drive named VBOXADDITIONS and run VBoxWindowsAdditions. This will install the keyboard, video, and mouse drivers. You will have to tweak the settings to get it run flawlessly. If you're migrating a version of Windows XP, I recommend disabling access to the internet since there are no longer security updates and patches for Windows XP after 4/8/14.

For more information on VirtualBox or Disk2vhd, just follow the links below.

Oracle VM VirtualBox
Sysinternals Disk2vhd