cannot add RAM to it? But...that's like the most basic upgrade anyone can make to their laptop...

If it's a REALLY old laptop then you probably cannot upgrade to a certain memory limit. I know older laptops may have a 1 or 1.5GB limit. Today, however, 2GB and some good custom ones can go beyond that. Plus those with 64-bit processors and hardware and OS, the motherboard on that laptop SHOULD be able to address up to 4GB.

Another thing is the size of the sticks used in each module. Some may not able to take a 1GB stick so you'd have to use 512MB. The slots and total memory size should all be proportional anyway. Ah i said too much^^;