Hello There!
Well, nothing is stored in your RAM. RAM stands for Random Access Memory and it is like temporary work spaces. It is where the Operating Systems is stored when you power on. . .and all the programs and processes that are loaded at 'boot up' are also stored there. . .that is why the Booting Up process takes so long.
Also, when you start a program, most of the program is loaded into RAM while you are using it.
When you are on the internet, your browser is actually working right from RAM, just to give you an example. When you are working on a Word Processing Document, that program and your document are in RAM, and if the power were to fail, you would lose your work if you hadn't saved it, because nothing in RAM is saved until YOU save to disk.
Now, that is just so you understand how RAM works for you.. . the next issue is more serious. RAM is extremely vunerable to static electricity. And even Static Electricity that you can't see or feel, can wipe out your RAM banks ability to function. So, you just cannot take out the RAM and bring it to the store without risking damaging the RAM you have.
You must be carefull or you will ruin the RAM you have. So, go to this website and follow the instructions to the letter. It isn't hard, but there are things you should know and do.
http://www.canadaram.com/InstallingRAM.pdf
PLEASE KNOW that RAM must be stored in a Farraday Cage BAG. That is the SILVER BAG that some electronic equipment is shipped in. Not the pinkish one. Ask around among your friends or ask at the computer store before you take the RAM out. Otherwise an undetectable Static Electric Charge will zap your RAM and ruin it! Walking across a carpeted floor holding your RAM could ruin it!
Make sure that the Silver Pouch (Farraday Cage) that you use doesn't have any pin holes in it from being used for electronic parts that have solder points on the bottom.
I know that people just think that they can remove RAM, and bring it out on a day trip to the store. . but this is not the truth! And DON'T TOUCH THE CONTACTS on the bottom of your RAM. Hold it by the side edges ONLY.
I sure hope this helps. It isn't as hard as it seems in my answer, but I would hate for you to damage the RAM that you have and I have seen it happen.