Is there a method I can use to check how many ram slots I have left, what kind of ram to get, and so on? Yes, I am that much of a nub. :P
you open your box and look for these



usually theres 4 like that but seems like ive seen it with only 2 before. anyway if theres only 2 slots just buy 2 2gig memory sticks and take out the old ones, and if theres 4 slots you could buy 4 1 gig sticks and replace the old ones. although if only 2 of the 4 slots are being used you only need to buy 2 1gig sticks. that looks confusing but its really just common sense so i think you can figure it out.