How do I upgrade RAM for a Toshiba Satellite?

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farmerjohn1324

Member
I just got a new laptop. It's a Toshiba Satellite with 2.20 GHz processor and 2.0 GB of RAM. The RAM is not enough. How do I know if I have enough slots in my motherboard to upgrade the RAM without taking the case apart. Then, how do I know what kind to buy? Is there a way to do this externally or is that just stupid?

How much RAM should I need to run all of this at once:

Google Earth
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
FireFox with 8 tabs
Avast Antivirus

... with room to spare so this should be taking up only about 50% efficiency.

Then, once I get the RAM, how do I install it? It's been a while since I've done this. Is it just as easy as plugging it in? Do I need any sort of antistatic gloves?
 
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farmerjohn1324

Member
voyagerfan99 said:
That laptop supports 8GB of RAM and takes DDR2 PC2-6400 RAM.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I just bought 4 GB of it on Amazon.

When I get it, if I just unscrew my computer and plug it in, will that work? Will I get shocked if I try this? Do I need some sort of antistatic gloves? I saw a website that said this, but I remember doing this when I was younger without gloves, but maybe I was stupid back then.
 
Punk

Punk

Moderator
Staff member
How many sticks di you buy?

Hope you got no more than two as most laptops (including yours from what I see online) support only two sticks of RAM. If so then yes, unscrew the RAM part of your laptop, then replace the two sticks already inside. Make sure yout take off the battery and unplug the cable.
 
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farmerjohn1324

Member
How do install the RAM? Where exactly should the RAM slots be? I can unscrew the computer to the point where it is held on by the keyboard only, and at that point, it feels like I'm going to break it if I try to take the thing apart any further.

Are you POSITIVE that the type of RAM listed above is the right kind? Where exactly are the RAM slots on this computer?

Toshiba Satellite L505d-s6947
 
johnb35

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Max ram is 8gb (2x4) ddr2 800mhz. Turn your laptop over and look at this image. The memory should be under the middle cover if it looks like that.memory cover.jpg
 
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farmerjohn1324

Member
Here are three pictures. I don't think the RAM fits, and I don't see any slots to put it in. I can't even figure out how to lift the latch to release the RAM that is already installed. They seem to be different sizes. Was the RAM that Voyager suggested the right kind? It seems to be twice as long.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/96twcv4dzmqv1m1/IMG_20150907_032450911.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dsteia301obnql7/IMG_20150907_032503491.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sv0qt5q77kcls6k/IMG_20150907_032514743.jpg?dl=0
 
beers

beers

Moderator
Staff member
You clearly bought desktop RAM instead of laptop RAM (known as SODIMM)....
farmerjohn1324 said:
Was the RAM that Voyager suggested the right kind?
Click to expand...

There are PC2-6400 sticks of laptop RAM, if you see the RAM that's already installed in the laptop it has those frequency specs.

MiRwsYM.png
 
voyagerfan99

voyagerfan99

Master of Turning Things Off and Back On Again
Staff member
Yeah you bought desktop RAM instead of laptop RAM.

As a side note, to remove the old sticks you just pull the tabs to the side and the RAM should pop up at an angle.
 
johnb35

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
Better to find it on ebay. Even newegg is above $70 for a 4gb stick for laptop and desktop memory.
 
porterjw

porterjw

Spaminator
Staff member
That will work.

Though I would try to find a US-sourced auction for the same type. Who knows what you'll get from Hong Kong...
 
Okedokey

Okedokey

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't worry about the brand for $20. The seller has a good rep and high count. It will be fine, however I would max it out to 8GB if you have a 64bit OS. That is going to perform much better than 4GB imho.
 
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