How to upgrade RAM in an e1705 (and many other comps with similar configurations)

I was looking through and deleting some of my old messages and found this. Figured I might as well post it so I can refer back to it. This is specifically for an e1705, but other computers with easily accessible RAM compartments follow the same basic procedure.

so here we go.

Materials:

1. New sticks of RAM
2. Static and dust free environment for the old sticks of RAM
3. Small, phillips head screwdriver (a bit bigger than eyeglasses screwdrivers)
4. Clean fingers
5. OPTIONAL: Anti-static [ESD] wrist strap. (You don't really need this, as you can ground your self manually. Personally, I made my own out of a rubberband, 10 paperclips, 2 feet of insulated copper wire, and and another, smaller paperclip.)

Procedure:
1. Power down the laptop. Simply turning it off isn't usually enough to remove all risk of electrocution. With that said, I'm not taking any responsibility for you frying/destroying/crushing/breaking/disabling or otherwise messing up your RAM, other hardware, yourself, your pets, your friends, other electronics, or anything not mentioned. To completely power down, begin by removing the battery, unplug all cords, press and hold the " on-button" several times to discharge capacitors that may still contain charge. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS SHOULD BE COMING FROM YOUR COMPUTER.

2. Flip your computer over and locate the bottom panel (centrally located) with the white M (or W depending on your perspective). There should be two small screws holding the slotted panel in place. Loosen both of those screws with the phillips head screwdriver. They won't come completely out of the plastic, as they are trapped in there so you don't lose them. They are less than 1/2 an in long.

3. Remove the panel by lifting the side that was screwed in and disengaging the "hook" thingies on the other side. Place it to the side. Its easier than I made it sound. Exposed should be the old RAM SODIMMS.

4. Now, attach your ESD wrist strap if you have one and clip the clip on to something that would serve as a ground. One of the metallic parts of the ports on the back would do or the unpainted metal surrounding the holes that your screws were in. If you don't have an ESD strap, touch the unpainted metal section or port.

5. Notice how the old RAM is situated in there now and remember how it looks. When your new RAM is in, it should look similar.

6. Remove the sticks of old RAM in there (I recommend using both hands) by pulling the clips (the thin silvery pieces running along the short sides of the RAM sticks) apart gently, but firmly. The stick of ram should pop up once it is free of the clips. Release the clips.

7. Pull the old RAM out at a 45 degree angle (the angle that it "popped" to in step 6) by pinching the edges where the clips were and pulling it firmly. Place it in a static/dustfree environment if you plan to keep it.

8. Repeat the process for the other stick of RAM, if you have one.

9. Ground yourself again if you're not attached to an ESD wrist strap, and remove the new RAM from its packaging. Locate the side with the golden contacts and find the little notch. Line up the notch with the protrusion on the "plug" you just removed the old stick from and push the new sticks of ram in at a 45 degree, downward angle(making sure to line up the little notch, its obvious, don't worry). Make sure you're holding the new stick by the edges and please note that this requires more force than one would imagine. Please use common sense.

10. When fully inserted, only an 1/8th of an inch or less of the gold "pins" should be showing. Remember how the old RAM looked before you pulled it out.

11. Push the stick downward on the corners furthest away from the "plug" and you should notice a distinct click as the clips lock into place around it. It may be necessary to push the clips out of the way with your other hand and then gently resecure them around the new RAM.

12. Repeat for the other stick, if you have one.

13. Replace the panel, and retighten the screws. Don't crack the plastic but make sure the panel is secured.

14. Reattach all cords, power supplies, etc.

15. Boot the machine.

16. A black DOS-looking screen will appear saying the amount of system memory has changed. Within a minute, a prompt will appear, with a startling beep usually. Answer appropriately (I think you just have to push a key, but it will tell you).

17. Check to make sure the RAM is recognized by going to the Control Panel-->System-->General tab and look at the bottom. It should say something close to what you installed.

18. If it says something way different, it probably means that either one of the sticks of RAM is dead or seated in the "plug" improperly. If that's the case, go back to step one and attempt to reseat the offending RAM.

19. If everything is okay, send $1000 to my Swiss bank account, spin around three times, and then play some games on your newly powerful laptop.


Feel free to PM me if you need pictures or further instructions. I'll update this post with what RAM you should buy. But after my break

 

Or you can go here.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins9400/en/sm/index.htm

JC

 

Yea, that has the pictures but lacks a bit in the description. Thanks, though.

 

I would suggest that you always do use the anti-staic strap. The cheap 3M straps used to be ALWAYS sent with ram upgrades but not any more.

Strange, static used to be the biggest killer of ram, maybe DDR has better diode gate protection or just save the $.50 for a strap?

I would also suggest not touching the gold contacts and handling sticks only by the short end edges.

This has served me well in over 100 ram upgrades

Cheers

 

Yeah I usually just keep my elbow in contact with something grounded and metal at all times, it works too. I didnt even know that anyone made something like that Hydra. Well what can I say, 3M is one of the best compaies in the world...A Minnesota company I might add They actually have a reaserch and manufacturing facility in Eagan where I live.

 

10 paper clips around a rubber band, all connected with a copper wire which is attached to another paperclip.....30 second insta ESD strap 8).

 

You trying to put 3M out of business..

We got some real fancy ones here at work, LOL.

On a desktop it gets easier, as shelf158 suggested, leave unit pluged in(off!) as the ground plug keeps you safe by touching frame before handling ram. This assumes you have a safe working ground in your home or workshop FYI, this does not apply to laptops because of the supply isolation, the DC plug is not tied to earth ground.