Q) Whats the difference between memory and storage.

A) All computers come with two types of memory. A hard disk drive and RAM. The hard drive is used to store your applications and documents while you are not using them. The RAM is used when you actually want to work on a document or use an application.

Think of the hard drive as a filing cabinet. It stores the documents when you are not using them. The RAM can be thought of as your desk.

Q) Why do I need more RAM?

A) Going back to the filing cabinet and desk example from above (your hard drive is like the filing cabinet, the RAM is like your desk) If you have a small desk, you will always be going back to the filing cabinet ans putting one document back while you get out another one. If you have a large desk you will be able to work with more things at the same time, and have things like pictures of your loved ones, a clock, desk lamp etc on there as well. So having more RAM in your computer will allow for more things to be on the desk at the same time.

 

Q) Why is my internet slow?

A) There are a couple of things that could cause this. Do you have enough RAM in your computer? See the question above. If you do then the speed of the internet is dependent on a few things outside of your control. Think of the internet as a road network. Some roads are really fast, like motorways, some are a little slower, like roads through the town. Some are thin and very windy and full of pot holes like farm tracks. Depending on what sort of road you are trying to travel depends on how fast you can go.

The internet is the same. But the size of the road is dependent on how far you are from the local telephone exchange (if you are using a BT phone line based internet connection). People that are more than 2.5 miles from your local telephone exchange then the speed you can get from your connection is reduced dramatically.

 

More FAQ will be added here over time. Why not check out our How tos for an indepth look at some areas.