Memory Upgrade – RAM Upgrade

Posted on May 14, 2010

How to upgrade RAM in a laptop?

Laptop memory upgrade is pretty simple. You can do it yourself too. You just need to follow a few simple steps. There are however certain precautions that you should take. They are listed below as well.

Precautions:-

  • Every laptop has a limit on the memory capacity that it can support. You need to find the maximum memory your laptop can hold. This should be mentioned in the manuals that came with the laptop. You might also find these manuals stored in your hard disc in the form of pdf files.
  • Ensure that your laptop is not already built-in with this maximum memory. If it is, then an upgrade will not be possible. In-order to find this out, check the System Properties as follows:- For Windows XP – Click Start, Run. Type sysdm.cpl . The window that appears, should tell you the size of RAM installed. For Windows Vista/7 – Click Start. In the search box, type system . From the list under Programs, click on System. A window will appear where you should be able to see the RAM installed in your laptop.
  • Get a memory module that will be compatible with your laptop. Certain websites (like http://www.crucial.com/store/drammemory.aspx) give you details about memory modules that will suit your laptop, when you enter its make and model in them.
  • Memory modules should be handled with great care. Touching them with bare hands can cause damage due to static electricity in your body. Therefore, touch some metal object, before you hold the module.
  • When you open out your laptop, if there is no free slot available to place the memory module, you might need to get a higher capacity memory module and replace an existing one.

What you need:-
Compatible memory module with the right capacity.
Tools to open your laptop.

How to upgrade laptop memory…

  1. Step
    1

    Shut down your laptop and unplug the cables from the mains.

  1. Step
    2

    Place the closed laptop upside down. For most laptops, the memory modules are located below the battery panel. But for some, there might be a separate flap on the lower side to access the memory. You could refer the manuals for getting more details on where the memory modules are situated in your laptop. In this article, we consider the case where the memory module is located below the battery panel. Therefore, first remove this panel.

  1. Step
    3

    Use the tools to remove the screws and open the memory flap beneath.

  1. Step
    4

    Place the memory module carefully in a free slot, aligning the pins properly. Push it into place steadily but gently.

  1. Step
    5

    Fix the flap and battery panel back into their places.

  1. Step
    6

    Start your laptop. Check your System Properties to see if the upgrading has been recognised. If not, you might not have placed the memory module properly in the slot. You might have to repeat the process again. Also note that, the laptop will not recognise an incompatible memory module.

Filed under How To

Comments

One Response to “Memory Upgrade – RAM Upgrade”
  1. TOMMY95215 says:
    December 7, 2010 at 4:10 pm

    Sure, no prob. Well, for my CPU, the fan comes on more often than it used to, and its? a bit louder. The Fan usually comes on if the computer needs to cool off, so that means it would get warmer if your computer can't handle it. If your CPU was meant to handle 1 G, and you put in 2 G's, you should be ok.

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