With DRAM SIMM how do you identify the size in mb from the code printed on them.
Also minimum total of mb's needed to run XP OS.
Thanks for any advice

Best general method for identifying RAM to do is identify the
manufacturer of the chips on the DIMM, go to their site and search for
the part number (again, of the chips).

256mb is minimum I believe.

According to M$, you can run XP with 64mb of RAM (albeit with reduced functionality) and I believe they're right. You could run XP with 64mb of ram, you just couldn't run any programs :p

To be serious though, Yoda's right, 256mb is the best number but more is always better...

:D :D Thats couse M$ don't want you to do anything with a computer but surf the web..If it were up to bill we all would have a Imac type system

128 MB will just be fine for Windows XP. Look here (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/evaluation/sysreqs.asp) for Microsoft recommended system requirements.

Agree with Gopi on this one! I am running Xp with 128mb RAM fine on my 2ndf machine.

yes in theroy 128mb will surfice but just start putting XP thru gamming or Graphics or basically anything that is intence and you will freeze up every time.More Ram is the way to go...I run 384mb and still find it difficult to get full potential from XP...just to lazy to pop in another 256

i thought the min was 128 for XP i couldn't imagine running it on 64. anywayz i reccomend 256 to run xp because anything less it will be all jerky and stuff. but if you can get more than 256 and you use your computer a lot then go for it. probably 512 will get you the most performance out of xp but i could be wrong.

Here are the system requirements for Win XP home form the MS Win XP web page

Here's What You Need to Use Windows XP Home Edition
PC with 300 megahertz (MHz) or higher processor clock speed recommended; 233-MHz minimum required;* Intel Pentium/Celeron family, AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended
128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may limit performance and some features)
1.5 gigabyte (GB) of available hard disk space.*
Super VGA (800 × 600) or higher resolution video adapter and monitor
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
Additional Items or Services Required to Use Certain Windows XP Features
For Internet access:

Some Internet functionality may require Internet access, a Microsoft. NET Passport account, and payment of a separate fee to a service provider; local and/or long-distance telephone toll charges may apply
14.4 Kbps or higher-speed modem
For networking:

Network adapter appropriate for the type of local-area, wide-area, wireless, or home network you wish to connect to, and access to an appropriate network infrastructure; access to third-party networks may require additional charges
For instant messaging, voice and video conferencing, and application sharing, both parties need:

Microsoft .NET Passport account and Internet access
For voice and video conferencing, both parties also need:

33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
Microphone and sound card with speakers or headset
For video conferencing, both parties also need:

Video conferencing camera
Windows XP
For application sharing, both parties also need:

33.6 Kbps or higher-speed modem, or a network connection
Windows XP
For remote assistance:

Both parties must be running Windows XP and be connected by a network
For sound:

Sound card and speakers or headphones
For DVD video playback:

DVD drive and DVD decoder card or DVD decoder software
8 MB of video RAM
For Windows Movie Maker:

Video capture feature requires appropriate digital or analog video capture device
400-MHz or higher processor for digital video camera capture
* Actual requirements will vary based on your system configuration and the applications and features you choose to install. Additional available hard-disk space may be required if you are installing over a network.

I'm still with yoda here...128mb WILL work, but you will see a huge performance increase going from 128mb to 256mb...

I have run XP on everything from 128mb to 1gb of ram and by far the biggest performance jump is from 128mb to 256mb.

Even the jump from 256mb to 512mb is noticeable if you run more than a couple programs at once...