Upgrading Memory In Laptop

sassybird

I have a laptop which has been running like a slug after a beer!

I looked at the memory and realised that it had a total of 256mb. I have been on critical.com and scanned the laptop and it states that I can upgrade to 2GB (2 x 1GB modules). I have ordered a 1GB upgrade because one slot is empty and easily accessible.

However, I have to remove the existing 256mb to enable me to fit another 1GB memory. Although I do fancy doing this - I am really not sure how easy this will be. The laptop is a HP Compaq Presario R3212EA.

Has anybody done an upgrade like this? - my hubby is fine with electronics - but we are a little unsure on this one.

Any advice gratefully received.

Mags

BritBrat

Most important part is make sure you remove the battery before you do anything. (no power to the motherboard)

Why do you have to remove the other chip?

If you can just leave it in and you will have 1.25mb of memory then.

sassybird

Thanks for your tip on the battery.

I know that the 1gb plus 256mb of memory would probably be fine. However, as I am trying to get this laptop running at optimum speed and the critical site said that the most I could upgrade to is 2gb - that would be ideal - as long as I can find where the original 256mb module is placed.

Cheers.

BritBrat

Oh I see you dont know where it is.

It will be under the bottom and in a flap with one or 2 screws holding it in place.

I will try and find a picture, but do you have a manual you could look at.

BritBrat

SOURCE: http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c01138825.pdf

You may only have one slot and if that is the case you will have to remove the other chip.

Here are some generale instructions: http://www.crucial.com/uk/install/sodimm.aspx

Donnie

I'm sure that you mean Crucial. Just out of interest, what are Crucial charging for a 1GB stick of PC2700 SoDimm?

£45-50? If so, that is going to be £100 to get to your goal.

I would have gone for 2 x 512MB at £32.

spud17

I know that the 1gb plus 256mb of memory would probably be fine. However, as I am trying to get this laptop running at optimum speed and the critical site said that the most I could upgrade to is 2gb - that would be ideal - as long as I can find where the original 256mb module is placed.

I still don't see why you cannot leave the 256mb, your post implies the new memory is 1x 1gb.

1gb + 256mb =less than 2gb

Or does the memory have to be a matching pair? i.e 2x 512mb

sassybird

Thanks for bearing with me on this one.

I have a manual for the laptop. Under 'Bottom Components' it shows what all the various flaps are hiding.

The Memory Compartment is located direct centre under the machine and it states (I quote) -

"Contains 2 memory slots, one of which is accessible for an optional upgrade. As shipped, the memory slot might be filled with a replaceable memory module, or it might be vacant, depending on the notebook module."


This lends me to believe that, although there is 2 memory slots, only one is available for an upgrade. However, on the critical.com site, it does say that the 256mb module can be removed to enable a further 1gb upgrade to take the laptop to 2gb.

I don't want to spend a fortune on somebody else doing a quick swap from 256 to 1gb on that particular slot - but if it was a fairly easy swop - I would like to give it a go.

I suppose an option may be to get in touch with critical and see if they can throw any light on it.

Why go for an easy option when it can obviously be made so much harder?? :eek:

Best regards.
Mags

espresso

Take the memory expansion cover off and see what if anything is in there. I believe that some models have 256MB onboard with slots accessible under the cover so that more can be added.

BritBrat

1gig or 1.25 gig will be fine for most people.

If you have a spare slot just put the new one in it, if you only have one slot you will have to remove the one in there and put the new one in it's place.

If it has two slots do what I said and it will have a total of 1.25Gig then later if you feel you need 2Gig you remove the 250mb and fit anothet 1Gig in that slot. But my guess is you never will.

sassybird

Thanks for your help/comments on this one guys.

I wasn't so much asking what upgrade I could do and in what configuration - but only where the 256mb module was to be found in this laptop.

I have already had the cover off the memory compartment and there is only one slot in there (and it is empty).

I have ordered a 1gb upgrade already, and can see where this one will slot in so that is no problem at all.

My original query was where could I find the 256mb module?

The crucial.com site has scanned the laptop and said came up with a 2gb memory upgrade possible (2 x 1gb modules), but it did state that the 256mb memory would need to be removed. However, I cannot find the 256mb module to upgrade this particular module.

I will upgrade to 1.25gb and if I think it needs a further upgrade - will contact crucial to see if they can throw a light on where the 256mb module lives.

Ta