Laptop HDD and RAM upgrade

K

kage

New Member
Hello,

I have an HP Pavilion dv8309.

I want to add a hard drive and a stick of RAM (there is an extra slot for both.) Is there any reason my computer wouldn't immediately recognize the hard drive and RAM if I simply plug it in the same way I would a desktop?

I've already checked that I need IDE and not SATA, and I've researched the correct speed of RAM as well (just to verify, PC2700 is 333Mhz correct?)
 
For laptops I know Dell and likely HP as well carry modules that are used inplace of the optical drive in laptops. The memory increase would be seen immediately while a new bare drive will need to be partitioned and formatted in order to be ready for use. That will then be seen in MyComputer as a new logical drive added there.
 
How would I go about formatting and partitioning it without having to reinstall Windows or something? Would Windows recognize it unformatted so I could format it using Windows?
 
In XP and Vista alike the Disk Management tool can easily be used for creating and formatting new partitions on a bare drive. Personally I use a free Linux tool for creating partitions and then simply right click on them in the DM to see them formatted.

PC2700 memory is referred to as DDR333 memory there to answer the question on what speed that is. There are two models of the 8309 to choose from. DV8309us and DV8309tx. The specifications for the DV8309us show DDR333 PC2700 memory at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...s&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3192906&dlc=en&lang=en

The same came out on the tx number while no specific page was seen except for downloads at http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?product=3195784&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us

Since the additional drive or even a second partition is still separate from the one Windows is installed to you wouldn't have to see Windows reinstalled for this. The DM tool is run from within Windows itself by going into the "Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management>Storage" section. Once there you double clcik on Storage to see the Disk Management listed there. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308424
 
That's pretty much all I needed to know. I was a bit hesitant to work on my laptop as it cost me quite a bit but now that I know it's that easy (plus the RAM and HDD are just right on the bottom) it'll save me about $100 because I won't have to pay for work or the extra price of buying their stuff (v.s. online).

Thanks a lot! :)
 
I've been asked to select items like a larger drive, more memory, and an OEM disk for XP since someone insists on a totally new copy of Windows. The laptop comes with a 60gb drive that won't be enough for two people to share it between spead sheet apps and games.

A 120gb sata will be installed along with seeing 256mb replaced with 2gb of DDR2 533 memory there. But the owner is paying out for a service tag with a local business to see that one upgraded.
 
assuming you don't have a spare OS disk or image lying around before sticking in that new drive make sure you have hp's copy of the OS.

some companies make you burn your own recovery disks.... like sony and some high end toshibas
 
dznutz said:
assuming you don't have a spare OS disk or image lying around before sticking in that new drive make sure you have hp's copy of the OS.

some companies make you burn your own recovery disks.... like sony and some high end toshibas
Click to expand...

With a second drive being added in rather then seeing the original replaced there won't be a need for reinstalling Windows. If the original was however then you would need a full install copy of Windows since the original recovery information stored on the first drive wouldn't be there for the new one.

I'll be doing that here for someone as soon as they can order a new full version disk, larger drive, and memory for seeing that done. For kage the need for a mounting kit or hard drive module for seeing the second drive added will be needed. From there basic partitioning and formatting of the new drive will see a new logical drive letter appear in MyComputer and W.Explorer.
 
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