Macbook Pro RAM upgrade

[dangerplan]

I have the 2GHz Macbook Pro, so I know I can max it out at 2 gigs of RAM. I currently have the factory installed 512MB RAM. It's been a long time coming that I upgrade the RAM... I am a casual gamer and like to multitask as I do so.

Anyway, my question is whether I need to do anything with saving memory or information from my current RAM if I want to put in two new 1 gig sticks of RAM. I have never done an upgrade on a computer before, and all I know about it is when my mother was getting a new hard drive she had to go through a lot of trouble backing up the information... Basically, I don't understand whether the RAM actually contains information I need to save.

So is there anything I need to do with my 512MB RAM before I put in two new sticks? Sorry if this is a dumb question, I am one of those people who loves to use computers but has no idea what's actually going on inside

Thank you!

 

[raxafarian]

just turn it off... pop out the old ram and put in the new. It will recognize the new ram when you turn it on (as long as you put the correct type of ram in).

The hard disk stores everything (that's why it had to be backed up before removal/replacement). The RAM temporarily stores running programs, etc 'from' the harddrive because the computer can read/write from/to the RAM MUCH faster than from/to the hard drive. When you turn off the power the RAM loses everything that was in it (by design).

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-Duo/RAM/85/3/Page-1