Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

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minime2
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Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Is it still possible to buy extra RAM for a Mint Box Mini 2? If so, what memory cards are compatible? Thanks.
Last edited by LockBot on Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
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RIH
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by RIH »

Maybe this will help..
viewtopic.php?t=351892
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minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Thanks!
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

The reply in that thread suggests there is just one slot for RAM, so I have to replace the existing 4 GB card with a larger one?
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

I can't even run PyCharm on the Mint Box Mini 2 - it crashes. Oh well, I guess it was just a toy - I just thought it would be a better toy. :(
RIH
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by RIH »

Well PyCharm does say..
System requirements
GNOME or KDE desktop
2 GB RAM minimum, 8 GB RAM recommended
2.5 GB hard disk space, SSD recommended
1024x768 minimum screen resolution
Python 2.7, or Python 3.5 or newer
Even with 4GB RAM I would have thought that most Mint requirements would have worked well..
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minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Yes, I saw that. But all I did was try to install numpy and it crashed. I considered adding RAM, but now I question whether that would even solve the problem.
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

I think the solution is that I don't really need PyCharm. A lightweight code editor should be fine.
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absque fenestris
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by absque fenestris »

Just out of curiosity, was this whole question about "extra RAM..." somehow serious?
Since you apparently have such a Mint Box, you only need to use a screwdriver to answer the question about available RAM slots.

This question
The reply in that thread suggests there is just one slot for RAM, so I have to replace the existing 4 GB card with a larger one?
has caused quite some concern for me...

I mean, how else are you going to propagate an existing RAM stick? By using divining rods and Linux magic?
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

I have never installed RAM in my life. I don't even know what "propagate an existing RAM stick" means. If I open the box, I don't even know if I would be able to tell where the RAM slots are. So I thought I would ask. But perhaps this was the wrong place to ask this question.
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absque fenestris
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by absque fenestris »

minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Thank you.
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absque fenestris
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by absque fenestris »

And even more documentation from the manufacturer itself:

https://fit-iot.com/web/product/mbm2/
https://fit-iot.com/web/products/mbm2/m ... fications/
https://fit-iot.com/web/products/mbm2/mbm2-gallery/
https://fit-iot.com/web/products/mbm2/mbm2-qa/

If you are interested in a RAM upgrade, here would be a product from Crucial: https://www.crucial.com/memory/ddr3/ct102464bf160b

There are cheaper RAM suppliers, but I've had good experiences with Crucial (paired RAM upgrades for MacBooks, for example).
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Thanks - I ordered the Crucial product.
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absque fenestris
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by absque fenestris »

Here are some practical hints for handling RAM modules in general: https://eshop.macsales.com/blog/47916- ... n-upgrade/
If you have pets, consider a temporary room ban - one of my cats was extremely interested in either stealing the screwdriver or wiping screws off the table ...
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

Thanks
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

When I open the box, the RAM card is horizontal - not at a 45 degree angle, as shown in the picture. Do I just push something to move the card to a 45 degree angle? And then just pull out the card? Use a pair of pliers? I could play around with it until I broke it, but that doesn't seem very constructive.

Replacing the RAM is not described in the Mint Box doc. I guess it's assumed that anyone doing this has removed hundreds of RAM cards in the past, but I'm not in that category. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
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absque fenestris
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by absque fenestris »

When installed, the RAM module lies horizontally and is fixed in the notches on the left and right with springs.
Push the springs on the left and right a bit to the side by hand and the RAM jumps into an inclined position (above the springs, like in the picture) and you can pull it out of the slot.
You also place the replacement RAM at an angle in the slot, press it in firmly and push it down until the springs on the left and right snap back into the notch.

The only problem is inserting the RAM sideways. At the bottom, by the gold teeth, the RAM has an asymmetrically offset notch that has its counterpart in the slot.
Thus, the RAM can only be inserted in one way.

Don't worry, the RAM modules can withstand quite a bit - it won't break in your fingers.
minime2
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by minime2 »

I thought those springs had something to do with it - I just didn't know which way to push them, and didn't want to break them. Thanks!
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Keith2021
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Re: Extra RAM for Mint Box Mini 2

Post by Keith2021 »

I have never heard of a Mint Box Mini 2 so I guess we both have something in common. I have to check it out. :D :D
Linux mint 20.2-Mate, Linux Mint 21-Cinnamon, Zorin 16 Pro
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