Memory

[nadarm]

If I install Ubuntu on my laptop which has 2gig of memory, when I put more memory in the laptop, does Ubuntu recognize the additional memory automatically or do you have to modify a file to tell the system the total memory it has?

[synapsys]

It's automatic. Memory is recognized by your BIOS then the BIOS tells the OS how much memory you have.

[raymondh]

limiting factor will be either 32-bit or 64-bit .... depending on how much RAM you add.

[synapsys]

Also, make sure your motherboard supports the type of ram you buy. Check to see that 2GB is not the max memory your motherboard can handle.

[Mark Phelps]

If you're running 32-bit OS, your machine will only recognize about 3.5GB of memory regardless of the amount you install. This is a limitation of 32-bit OSs, not of Ubuntu specifically.