Upgrade Memory in an Asus Eee PC

Do you want to get a little more out of your Install KDE on an ASUS Eee PC? Upgrade that stock 512MB memory module with a 1 or 2GB module.

Here's a quick and easy guide on how to upgrade the memory inside your 700 series (4G or 8G) Create a Rescue Mode for an Asus Eee PC.

Steps

  1. Purchase the right memory. Search for standard, DDR2 laptop memory modules (not desktop memory), which will have 200-pin edge connectors. Select either a 1GB or 2GB DDR2 memory module of either 533 or 667MHz speeds. These may be referenced as PC-4200 or PC-5300, respectively. Recommended brands include, but are not limited to, Kingston, Corsair, Patriot, and Viking.
  2. Power off your Eee PC if it's on. Also, unplug the AC power adapter.
  3. Prepare your Eee PC by placing it upside-down on a flat surface with some form of padding. Keep the front of the laptop facing you. The Eee PC will need to rest on its top cover to replace the memory, so use a non-abrasive surface. For example, an over-sized mouse pad on your desk, a large piece of foam, or a clean, carpeted floor will work. Be sure to ground yourself or some surfaces may cause static to short a component.
  4. Remove the battery. This will prevent you from accidentally shorting anything on the system board during this process. To remove the battery:
    1. Use your left thumb to press and hold the left-most battery lock switch to the unlock position.
    2. Use your right hand to click over the right-most battery lock switch to the unlock position.
    3. Use your right hand to gently push the battery away from the laptop. Push a little at a time, alternating on each side. Newer Eee PCs and batteries may be a little tight at first.
  5. Open the memory cover on the back of the Eee PC.
    1. If it exists, remove the Eee PC sticker covering one screw.
    2. Completely loosen both screws with a Phillips #0 jeweler's screwdriver.
    3. Remove the screws with your fingers and set them aside.
    4. Use your finger and/or fingernail to pull up at the front of the cover. There should be a small slot here in the case to give you room to pry it open.
    5. Keep pulling until the cover clicks open, then set it aside for now.
  6. Remove the existing module. This should be towards the front of the laptop, with empty space towards the back. It is held in with two metal clips on each side.
    1. Use both of your thumbnails at the same time to press outward on the clips. The module will have a mild spring-loaded feeling to it. When the clips have been completely depressed on both sides, the module will push itself up at an angle.
    2. Once the module is free of the clips, gently grasp the edge of it and pull out along the same angle in which it is resting. This is approximately a 15 to 25 degree angle to the laptop.
    3. Put the module aside, in a safe, static-free location.
  7. Unwrap the new module from its packaging. Most memory will be sold in a piece of hard, clear plastic. Gently remove it from the packaging by pressing on it from the plastic side. Avoid bending the module or applying too much force to the packaging.
  8. Install the new module. Use your removal process as a guide in reverse for this installation.
    1. At the same angle as before, insert the new memory module into the laptop's memory slot. Make sure it fits all the way down until the contacts are either no longer visible, or difficult to see. This requires almost no force, so be gentle.
    2. Press down on the module to align it so that it is parallel with the laptop. The memory slot clips will click shut when the module is fully seated.
  9. Verify the memory is recognized by your Eee PC. Before closing up the memory cover, it is helpful to verify the memory is recognized by your laptop and its operating system.
    1. Gently re-insert the battery
    2. Flip over the laptop and power it on.
    3. With Xandros — the default Linux distribution — click on the "Settings" tab.
    4. Click on "System info" and verify "Memory size" reports "1024 MB" (1GB).
    5. For 2GB modules, click on "Diagnostic Tools" instead and verify "* RAM Size" reports "2048 MB" (2GB).
  10. Replace the memory cover by snapping it into place and reinserting the screws. If you've installed 2GB of RAM into an Eee PC running the default Xandros Linux operating system, now is the time to rebuild the kernel. This will get it to recognize the full 2GB of system memory.
  11. Get your Xandros operating system to utilize 2GB of memory. Continue with the "Install a New Kernel" section below for instructions.



Install a New Kernel

If you have Xandros:

  1. Create a Rescue Mode for an Asus Eee PC for Xandros. This is a convenient way to boot your Eee PC into a root privilege, command-line mode that will allow you to modify system files. It is crucial to performing the following steps.
  2. Download a pre-compiled kernel for the Eee PC's special Xandros distribution that supports 2GB of memory. See Sources and Citations below for a list of websites where you may be able to find it.
  3. Save and rename the downloaded file. It should be saved to your home folder, which is typically /home/user/. Rename the file to something appropriate (ie: vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc-2GB):

    1. From the "Work" tab, open the "File Manager".
    2. Make sure "My Home" is selected, then click on the downloaded file once to highlight it.
    3. Press to rename the file, then press when done.
  4. Restart your Eee PC. Make sure you enter the "Rescue Mode" this time. Repeatedly press after seeing the first screen, then select "Rescue Mode" or the name you selected in the first step.
  5. Type these commands at the pound # sign prompt, pressing after each one. Remember to use the file name you selected for the last command:





  6. Launch vi to edit the grub boot loader menu to add a new entry for this kernel. Type the following command and press after it:

  7. Use vi to add your new entry. The vi editor is not intuitive for those familiar with more graphical editors such as Notepad, Wordpad, or Word on Microsoft Windows. It is very powerful, but at the same time, very complicated and difficult to learn. For now, follow the steps below to edit this file.

    1. Use the cursor keys to move down to the first entry (paragraph) for "Normal Boot". Place the cursor on the first line of this section.
    2. Copy the section by using the following keystrokes. This will copy five lines from where the cursor is located:
    3. Move the cursor down below this section to the next blank line. Paste our previously copied text by using:
    4. For the line of this new entry starting with "kernel" (ie: kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc quiet rw vga=785 irqpoll root=/dev/sda1), change the zmlinuz name here to our new kernel file's name. For example:



      To do this, press to switch vi into insert mode, move the cursor to this location, and insert text. To remove text, use only; do not use .
    5. Rename the title of this new entry to anything you desire.
    6. It is advisable at this point to change both your "fallback", "timeout", and "default" values. Each option (paragraph section) is reference by the order they're listed. The first one is 0, the second one is 1, third one is 2, etc. Set your default to the new entry you added (ie: 1), the fallback to the Normal Boot entry (ie: 0), and the timeout in seconds to 5 or any value of your preference. The timeout is how long the grub boot menu will appear until it automatically makes the default selection for you.
    7. If desired, add a pound # sign in front of the line that had "hiddenmenu" to make sure the menu is shown each time you boot. Otherwise, you'll have to keep pressing when the system boots to get back into this menu.
    8. To get out of vi's insert mode, and back into command mode, press .
    9. Save your file by pressing . To exit vi without saving, press .
  8. Reboot the PC when back at the command prompt. Do this by pressing twice (possibly three times) until you either see a message that states "Press [Enter] to restart", or the until the Eee PC restarts on its own. If you followed all of the examples above, the default boot selection should be the new kernel.
  9. Test the new kernel by clicking on the "Settings" tab and launching "System info" once Xandros boots to the desktop. The system should report 2048 MB for the "Memory size".

Tips

  • Use the packaging of your new memory module to store the existing, stock 512MB module.
  • Always work on electronics in a static-free or low-static environment. If possible, use a grounded work pad or grounded wrist strap. Otherwise, be sure to ground yourself on a known, good ground before handling the memory module.
  • The steps above for verifying memory on an Eee PC with Customize Your Microsoft Windows XP Computer installed by default will vary. Open "Start" -> "Control Panel" -> "System" to verify that your new memory is recognized.
  • Upgrading to 2GB is only possible with a rebuild of the Xandros Linux kernel. The default install of Xandros will only recognize a maximum of 1GB of RAM.

Warnings

  • This will not work on the Eee PC 2G Surf. This low-end model does not have any memory slots. Instead, the RAM is soldered to the system board. It is possible to solder in additional memory, as the system board will recognize larger-sized memory. This type of upgrade is only for die-hard modders who don't mind voiding their Asus warranties and risking damage to their Eee PC.
  • Make sure the RAM is in very tightly. If not, a knock or bump to the laptop may loosen it for a second, which has the potential to corrupt files and damage the memory module. Even if the memory retention clips click when the module is inserted, this isn't a guarantee that the module is inserted all the way.
  • Carpets are known for creating static electricity, so be very cautious if you have chosen to work on the floor. If you decided to work here, using a grounding wrist strap is recommended.
  • Do not force anything. Every step within this process requires a light touch and minimal force.

Things You'll Need

  • Asus Eee PC, models 4G Surf, 4G, or 8G ($350 to $500 USD)
  • 1 or 2GB, DDR2-667 or DDR2-533, memory module, of any latency ($35 to $40 USD)
  • Phillips #0 screwdriver (jeweler's screwdriver)

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