Hi, Really, in my experience, unless you're incredibly new to building, the only part of a system that you realisticly might damage is the CPU although you have to be a bit gentle with the stock pushpin Intel heatsyncs if you're reusing them. It's probably worth mentioning that you can pick up second hand desktops for next to nothing on eBay or for free on sites like Freecycle; I always recommend that people do this if they want to get into building as it's much easier to chalk a loss up to experience if you've broken a £30 desktop for example instead of a server. Cheers, Ben. On 10/12/15, Ben Mustill-Rose <ben@benmr.com> wrote:
Hi,
You've had some good advice here although I'd echo what John said re not inserting the RAM at an angle as this is only really applicable with laptop RAM. All Intel iMacs? use laptop RAM hence why you have to do it like that on them. A good way to tell if you've inserted it correctly before pushing down is to put a finger on each of the ends and push down on one of them. If the other end jumps up you've got it in the wrong way. NB: even if you have put it in the right way there will still be some movement, so if you're unsure, just compare the levels of movement and decide like that. As others have said the notch should always be on the bottom.
The color coding represents different channels. In a scenario where there are unpopulated slots on the board you should aim to fully populate one channel for performance reasons, although for average day to day type use I'm doubtful that you would notice a difference. The way to get round this is to simply populate every slot on the board, that way, by extention, you can be 100% certain that all channels are complete.
Lastly, I highly suggest that you don't power the server on until you have identified why some of the RAM isn't showing up, especially if you're not sure if you've installed it correctly. Parcially seating RAM then powering the system on is a great way to justify buying a new motherboard and or new RAM.
Cheers, Ben.
On 10/12/15, John G. Heim <jheim@math.wisc.edu> wrote:
The problem with touching the gold contacts is that oil from your fingers gets on the pins. It can change the resistance. There is a one in a million chance it will ever matter but it's not totally bogus to say you shouldn't touch those pins. You could just wipe them off with a terry cloth rag after you're done feeling them. I never bother to do that though.
There are a lot of myths out there. I hesitate to tell you to throw caution to the wind. There is no point in taking unnecessary chances. But I know a lot of technicians use bad logic when figuring what happened when a component goes bad. It's essentially just superstitions. a black cat crossed their path and the computer went down. The two events were not really related but you'd never convince them of that.
I can't say with absolute certainty that it is safe but I've been feeling my way around motherboards for 30 years and never hurt anything. I did break a motherboard once. It was 20 years ago and it was one of those motherboards where you put the ram in straight and bend it over to snap it into place. I broke off one of the clips and the whole motherboard had to be replaced. But one motherboard in 30 years ain't bad. I'll bet a lot of sighted people have worse records.
I am typing this message on a PC I built entirely by myself from components I bought at newegg. I installed the motherboard in the case, installed the cpu and fan, the ram, and every thing else. I haven't bought a pre-assembled PC for 20 years partly for the fun of doing it myself and partly because if I build it myself, I can get exactly what I want.
On 10/12/2015 01:52 PM, Katherine Moss wrote:
Oh. So then you can actually touch it? The notch on the slot? No wonder my friend said that ... But the situation that keeps coming back to mind was the time when I was trying to insert a card under somebody's watch, and this guy all-out yelled at me (sighted and a know-it-all), due to the simple fact that due to its closeness to the PCIe slot, I bumped the bottom of the card against a capacitor and he flipped and all but pushed me away from the server. On that model, you kind of can't avoid whacking the caps because they are so close to the card slots. The same with the ram slots. Not sure what the heck this guy's problem was, but his attitude never did anything good for my confidence. Anyway. So, considering we go by feel anyway, though oftentimes instructions will say not to touch the gold terminals on the bottom, I'd assume that as long as I have an antistatic wrist strap, which I do, I'm good?
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of John G. Heim Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 2:26 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
All this is going to be really easy once you get used to it. You won't be able to put the ram in wrong. The notch in the ram stick has to line up with a bump on the slot or it won't go in. You can tell if it kind of rocks back and forth when you line it up then the notch isn't aligned with the bump and you should swing it around 180 degrees. I do this all the time. I take a stick of ram out, set it down, and then don't know which way to put it back in. But it's easy to figure out.
Even the most experienced sighted hardware administrator occasionally has trouble getting ram lined up correctly and snapped into the slot. It's not particularly difficult for blind people because once you get the ram close to the slot, you mostly have to do it by feel anyway. What you are working through isjust normal lack of experience. It will get easier once you have done it a few times.
On 10/12/2015 12:05 PM, Katherine Moss wrote:
Indeed I did. Both sets of modules are interesting; I've got the one set of Crucial modules (on the outer edges) and the set of stock Dell modules (until I replace them with Crucial ones.) The del ones have chips only on a single side, while the crucial ones have chips on both sides. And by the way, the little notch on the bottom of the module, which side does that go on? The left or the right?
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Darragh Ó Héiligh Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 1:00 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
I think you said this was going into a Dell server? Is the RAM very thin with bumps or is it quite thick with a smooth matalic finish?
Either way it will go in more or less the same but if it has a smooth matalic finish you'll need more fource and I wouldn't worry about breaking anything. All RAM should be made like this. The stuff is practically bullet proof.
Darragh
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Katherine Moss Sent: Monday 12 October 2015 17:17 To: Blind sysadmins list <blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org> Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
I never heard that with any of them yesterday ... no wonder we've got two of them not angled correctly ... I'll try again, and this time I'll spend a bit more time rather than trying to do it in a rush.
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Jackie McBride Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 12:12 PM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
The truth is that often these memory chips make a horrible crackling sound when they seat correctly, & it scares the snot out of u, but it's what it's supposed to sound like, at least in a desktop. U don't generally want that sort of sound in a laptop lol.
Also, these chips usually need to be inserted into the slot at an angle, i.e., like 45 degrees, then pushed straight up into the slot, which is what makes that nasty sound. A wrist strap, or, conversely, touching a nonpainted metal surface in order to discharge static electricity before installing components is a good thing.
On 10/12/15, Katherine Moss <Katherine.Moss@gordon.edu> wrote:
Thanks. I'll try that. You wonder why there are so many red-letter warnings about damage when often force needs to be applied anyway to get the component to fit properly? It would be nice, for that tends to intimidate the less confident, or first-time learners.
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Mobeen Iqbal Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 11:59 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
Right. Find an existing stick in the server. At either end of the stick, you will feel a clip. Push both clips away from each other to eject the ram stick from the server. Make sure you don't flip the stick over or turn it round. Lift it out gently holding it the same way you took it out. Put another stick of ram against it and feel the bottom edge to see if the notches on both sticks match. If they are not in alinement, turn the second stick around and put it against the first stick and see if the notches match. By turning round, I mean turning it 180 degrees. If they still do not match, then the ram sticks are differing specifications. Put the first stick back in to the slot you took the ram out of, pressing down firmly so both clips come towards each other as you push the stick in to place. There should be a satisfying click assuming its in the same way you took it out. Try the same with the second stick, push both clips in the empty slot away from each other and slot the second stick in to place. If it doesn't go in 1 way, try turning it round 180 degrees and slotting it in. The edge with the notch on it will always need to be on the bottom edge. That should be about it. If when you turn the server on you have no display output or beeps, something isn't right and its either not seated properly or the server is picky about brands. As I said, if you aren't sure about any of the above, it may be best to have someone sighted show you initially. It depends how confident you are and how willing to experiment you are.
Cheers,
Mo.
Katherine Moss <Katherine.Moss@gordon.edu> wrote:
I see that, but getting a sighted person to do it for you doesn't teach you anything ... that's why I came here. I need someone to remind me how to do this as a blind person considering all last year my opportunities were sort of extinguished every time.
-----Original Message----- From: Blind-sysadmins [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf Of Mobeen Iqbal Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 11:45 AM To: Blind sysadmins list Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a blind person
If you are not sure, then don't force the stick in to the slot and obtain sighted help. Alternatively, any reputable computer shop should be able to install it for you without cost. Where abouts are you based? If you are anywhere near lincolnshire in the UK I would be happy to drop by and lend a hand.
Cheers,
Mo.
Katherine Moss <Katherine.Moss@gordon.edu> wrote:
> Thanks. Basically the issue is putting them in ... after my > ex-boyfriend touched the server and was rougher than I'd have liked > with it, I've not felt none too comfortable messing with hardware > fearing that I'll press down too hard and fry something (as > instructions often say "don't touch the components, damage can occur.") > Yet my partially blind and CompTIA certified friend says it's okay > to touch them and instruction manuals are being too cautious ... > (He needs > to be on this list as well.) Anyway, but the actual issue for me at > least is feeling for the slot, how far to push down on the module > to ensure that I do not damage either the component or the board. > > -----Original Message----- > From: Blind-sysadmins > [mailto:blind-sysadmins-bounces@lists.hodgsonfamily.org] On Behalf > Of Mobeen Iqbal > Sent: Monday, October 12, 2015 10:54 AM > To: Blind sysadmins list > Subject: Re: [Blind-sysadmins] Hardware refresher: speaking as a > blind person > > Hi. Yep unless you mix and match, you shouldn't have any issues. > Most people don't even notice to be honest, I didn't know until the > first one I started working on began beeping. I was sat there > racking my brains and the only thing that seemed different was the > brand. Best thing to do is try it if you have some spare sticks. > Some dell boards are fine some aren't which is a real shame. My > favourite boards are asus, they couldn't care less in most cases > what > brand you use. > > > All the best, > > Mo. > > > "John G. Heim" <jheim@math.wisc.edu> wrote: > >> Wow, thanks. I've been working on Dell servers for years and never > knew >> about the different slots. We almost never buy 2 different kinds >> of > ram >> for our machines so I guess it never came up before. >> >> >> >> On 10/12/2015 09:41 AM, Mobeen Iqbal wrote: >>> Hi. >>> >>> In dell machines, the sticks in the black slots have to match and > the >> ones in the white slots have to match. Make sure the ram is the >> same spec i.e ddr2, ddr3 etc. Normally the config is black white >> black white. When you say you were struggling to insert it, what >> was the problem specifically? If its not seating properly, check >> the notch and >> contacts are lining up correctly. I am totally blind and have >> seldom had any issues with ram in dell machines, but some as you >> say can be pigs to work on and can be very fiddly especially if >> there is not much >> clearance. I have also known dells to be picky about the brand of >> memory. Its also not recommended to mix ecc and non ecc ram. >>> All the best, >>> >>> Mo. >>> >>> >>> Katherine Moss <Katherine.Moss@gordon.edu> wrote: >>> >>>> Hello all, >>>> Just had a rather embarrassing moment yesterday when I attempted to >>>> insert some new ram modules into my server and then realized > shortly >>>> afterward that either, I don't know how the heck to do it >>>> anymore, >> or >>>> I'm too skittish to, due to last year's events (had a particular >> person >>>> in my life who thought he knew it all, and for him, teaching me and >>>> nurturing my tech interests was not in the cards.) Well, so as > blind >>>> individuals, how do we insert ram modules properly? (I, or >>>> rather > my >>>> father, added eight gigabytes to the existing four, though now only >> two >>>> slots appear to be filled.) They must not be seated properly, >> because >>>> he, fully sighted, was struggling with it as well. If it helps, the >>>> model server I have is a Dell PowerEdge T110, and from what I've >> heard, >>>> that board's a pain in the butt to work with. When working with ram >> as >>>> a blind person, is a motherboard a motherboard? Or are they all >>>> different? And not to mention the color codes? (this particular >> board >>>> has black and white slots.) >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>>> Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>>> https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >>> _______________________________________________ >>> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >>> Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org >>> https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> Blind-sysadmins mailing list >> Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org >> https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins > _______________________________________________ > Blind-sysadmins mailing list > Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org > https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins > > _______________________________________________ > Blind-sysadmins mailing list > Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org > https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins _______________________________________________ Blind-sysadmins mailing list Blind-sysadmins@lists.hodgsonfamily.org https://lists.hodgsonfamily.org/listinfo/blind-sysadmins
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