Upgrading Ram on a laptop question...

plowexvii

New Member
Hey Guys,

I'm very limited on my knowledge of laptops, so please take it easy on me :). Anyway, I've decided not to build a desktop, and just keep the laptop I currently have. Right now I have 512mb of ram, but am really interested in upgrading to a gig. Is there anything special i need to know before upgrading? I know its going to be difficult to get inside the laptop, but i think i can do it. Also, are there any specific brands you recommend? I have a compaq Evo N610c. And where would you go to buy laptop ram? Would eBay be okay? I greatly appreciate your time guys! Thanks,
Phillip
 
Phillip,
Adding memory is very easy, refer to your owners manual.
(If you don't have it, see page 133: http://h200005.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00091009/c00091009.pdf )

That laptop comes with 256 Mb, so it probably has 2 256 Mb Ram modules... To upgrade to 1 Gb Ram, you will have to replace both of them with 512 Mb Ram modules.

I did a quick search on part no. 238879-001 and found 1 auction on ebay ($224 ea.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=11172&item=6721941941&rd=1&ssPageName=WD1V

Kingston.com has their equivalent module for $172 ea. :

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=12094&distributor=0&submit1=Search

Kingston gives you 5 choices for online vendors, the one with the cheapest freight will get 2 of these to you for a total of $342.38.

Just saw your location is China... The freight above is for US only...

Hope this helps.
 
Hi LANrackGUY, all this information helps me greatly. Thanks so much! I have another quesiton though, is that part no. the only one that will fit inside my compaq laptop? Could i get this from new egg:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=20-145-540&DEPA=0 ?
I really appreciate the time and your help you've put into my situation :).

Oh and Super Nova, yes, i know its under the keyboard. I've opened it up before, it is a pain :(.

Thanks again guys!
Phill
 
Right now I have 512mb of ram, but am really interested in upgrading to a gig. Is there anything special I need to know before upgrading
1. If you have a free slot or not. If you have a free one then you dont have too much to worry. if not, then you'll have to swap the sticks

2. What the maximum capacity of the mobo is :)

3. What the maximum capactity of the slot is
 
I looked at the newegg link, and that one is for PC-3200...
you need PC-2100 try this one:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-223-019&depa=0 (even cheaper)
I don't know neweggs return policy, but you should check it out first.
If they don't work, and you can return them, then you will only be out the
freight.

I stopped using cheap memory and try to only get the exact ram needed,
but that's based on a couple of bad experiences - I fix pc's for a living, and
there is nothing worse than ordering ram for someone, only to finally get it
and find out it doesn't work... then you have to call your customer, quote a
higher price, and tell them they have to wait a few more days.
Or, even worse, drop shipping the memory directly to a customer, and then
they call to say it doesn't work... what a pain.

You, however, have the luxury of time since it is your own laptop.

If newegg will let you return it without a restock fee, I would definitely try it.
Their freight is only $4. And is shouldn't cost more than $5 to send it back.
So, for less than $10... to possibly save $200+ - sounds like a no-brainer.

Ok, I just checked their return policy - 15%. It would cost you about $23 to
return them (+ the freight charges, of course) if they didn't work.

Good luck, let us know what you do.
 
I'd offer to do it for you but you're "way over there!" :D

Laptops can be a pain though. Get this. I use to work on Toshibas. And some models have a small modem card that goes on the bottom of the system board which can not be inserted or removed from the outside because it has no door on the case. There have been times when I have gone to replace a system board on these models and get the whole thing back together and realize I've left this modem card on the old system board and I had to take the whole thing apart again to put the modem in. You can imagine my frustration!

:)
 
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yeah, it is alot of work.

Anyway, I've decided to order it off newegg.com. I'll keep you guys posted on how everything goes. Thanks again for all the help LANrackGUY and Super Nova :) :) :)

Phill
 
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