Increase Laptop Memory
Your laptop comes with a nominal amount of memory to handle today's Windows operating system but you have found a need to increase the amount of memory. How do you upgrade the memory in your laptop?
Contents
Steps
- Discover how much memory you already have in your laptop by right clicking on "computer" or "my computer" (depending on OS version) and selecting properties. You can also click the start button > control panel > system, and the same screen will come up. Under the second section called "system" you will see how much installed memory (ram) is in your machine. Make a note of this.
- Use software by a company with a free utility that determines what kind and how much ram you have as well as how much the maximum your machine can hold physically. The results tell you the kind of memory that is installed by model, style and memory size in each memory bank and then suggests your options and some pricing information.
- Now that you are armed with the information you need, proceed to purchase memory from your favorite retailer or order from online.
- Once you have your new memory modules in hand, you can add, or replace, your memory modules by opening the memory compartment on the bottom of your laptop. Check your laptop's documentation for the compartment that holds your ram modules, typically a small access panel that is screwed shut with 1 or 2 screws on the bottom of your laptop.
- Turn off your laptop and unplug from power source and remove battery.
- Remove memory access panel.
- Memory modules are held into place by spring or wedge style clamps on each side of the modules. Open these before you attempt to pull the existing modules out (if any are to be removed).
- Carefully line the new modules up to their slot as accurately as possible for the gold fingers on the module to match and slide easily into the slotted connector.
- Securely clamp your modules in place with the existing clamps.
- Close and secure the memory access panel.
- Reinstall the battery.
- Plug in and turn on laptop.
- Your computer will automatically recognize and utilize the new memory installed.
- Click on start button > control panel > system, and verify the new memory is recognized and identified properly.
Tips
- DO NOT mix and match (1 gigabyte ram module in one slot with a 2 gigabyte ram module in another).
- Always use memory slots/banks with equal size ram modules in each slot/bank.
- Do not mix ECC with non-ECC modules.
- Do not over tighten screws.
- Do not mix speeds (i.e. 60 nanoseconds with 70 nanoseconds, 70 with 80, etc).
- If you are installing additional ram modules to existing ones, be sure the style and type match. Brand matching is important but not imperative.
- Do not touch the gold edge as it may damage it.
Warnings
- Never remove modules from packaging without being properly static grounded.
- Always be sure to be static electricity grounded before working on sensitive electronic equipment.
- Never allow moisture (sweat, water, etc) into the laptop electronics.
- Always remove power sources such as batteries and unplugging before working on powered equipment.
