How to open my Dell Dimension 4600 to install two
1) Computer off, and disconnected from power.
2) Disconnect all cables leading to your computer.
3) Lay your computer down on a table. Lay the right side towards table.
(I like to lay a clean, static free towel down on the table first, to prevent scratching the computer, or the table)
4) You are now looking at the back of the computer, with the power supply fan to the Left side.
Look underneath, along the top edge of the computer case. There is a computer case cover release latch, on the Right side. Pull the Cover Latch to the Right.
Now pull the side cover towards you. (Towards the back of the computer.
Lay the side cover aside.
5) IMPERATIVE!
BEFORE you reach inside, or take the new Ram Memory sticks out of their protective, anti-static bags, TOUCH the metal frame of the computer case!
Your body carries Static electricity. Static can fry out your computer hardware components.
Touching the metal frame of the open computer case, will relieve your body of Static.
Should you get up, walk away, then return, TOUCH the metal frame again.
Refrain from handling Ram Memory sticks by their gold plated contact pins. (Bottom of ram stick)
You can handle the ram stick anywhere else, as the body of the ram stick is coated with a see-through plastic.
6) Dell Support > Dell Dimension 4600 Series > Manuals > Service Manual,
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600/en/4600i/sm/index.htm
A) Left-click on - Removing the Computer Cover
B) Go back to this main menu, and Left-click on -
Removing and Installing Parts
Now Left-click on Memory.
Not trying to insult your intelligence, but if you have never installed Ram Memory before:
Your computer uses DDR Sdram ram memory modules, ('Sticks')
(Double Data Rate - Synchronous Dynamic Ram Access Memory)
A DDR Sdram module has on Notch on the bottom.
The Notch looks to be centered upon a cursory glance.
It is Not.
The Notch is over to one side a little.
(Actually a DDR Sdram ram memory module has 184 contact pins on the bottom.
92 on each side.
The Notch is located in-between Pins 40 and 41.
40 pins on one side of the Notch, 52 on the other side)
The Notch must be lined up correctly with the Locating Lug, in the bottom of the ram memory slot. The ram stick only goes in, in one direction.
There is a lock on each side of the ram slot. White in color, looks like an 'Ear'.
Dell's reference to a lock is 'Securing Clip'.
Put your thumbs on the top of each lock on a ram slot, and gently push down, and out.
The lock pivots to the outside.
When the locks pivot, the ram stick is raised up out of the ram slot.
Upon closer examination, you will note a small slot at the bottom of each lock.
The bottom corners of the ram stick, fit down in these slots.
Set the ram stick down in the slots of the locks, Notch lined up with the Locating Lug.
Push down on the outside top corners of the ram stick.
When the ram stick is fully seated, the contact pins will be down in the ram slot, and the locks will be seated against the sides of the ram stick.
You will notice that each lock has a 'Bump' on it. This Bump lines up with a Notch on the side of the ram stick.
The bump must be in the notch, for the ram stick to be fully seated.
Usually you will hear a satisfying 'Click - click', as the lock's bumps click into the notches.
IF, the ram memory slots that you are installing ram memory in, have never been used before, they may be tight.
You are installing new ram memory modules.
Makes the fit even tighter.
Sometimes it's a 'Pee Picker,' to get those ram memory modules to go in.
Makes beads of sweat pop out of your forehead!
Other times they slip right in with No problem.
Thought I would warn you in advance.
If I understand correctly, do I understand you are installing TWO - 1GB sticks of DDR Sdram?
[DDR Sdram at 333MHz {PC2700}, or DDR Sdram at 400MegaHertz?
{PC3200}
1) If the ram memory modules that you are installing, are larger than the ones already installed, install the 1GB ram modules in DIMM 1, and DIMM 2, ram memory slots.
DIMM 1 is Slot 1.
Slot is the ram memory slot that is closest to the Processor.
The Processor reads Slot 1, First.
DIMM 1, and DIMM 2, (Slot 1 and Slot 2), are a matched pair of ram memory slots.
They are in the same Channel.
