RAM Upgrade

Guide Information
Guide Title: How To Disassemble The "Shadow Case" and upgrade the internal RAM slot

Created by: Compman55

Contact: compman55@aol.com

Summary
How to upgrade the internal RAM in your laptop.

Applies to
 * Arima: W730-K8 based laptops
 * eMachines: m2350, m2352, m68xx, m64xx
 * Gateway: m520, 74xx, 72xx
 * Targa: Visionary 811
 * Voodoo: Envy M:860, and many other models not listed here.

Tools Needed


 * 1) #1 magnetic Phillips screw driver
 * 2) Small flat head screw drivers
 * 3) Credit card or other type of stiff card
 * 4) Small flashlight, LED works the best
 * 5) (2) Desktop PCI slot covers
 * 6) Cardboard to make template
 * 7) Towels or other soft cloths
 * 8) Rubber surgical gloves, wash after putting on!!!
 * 9) Black Electric Tape

Before Getting Started
Tampering with any internal components excluding, external ram slot, DVD drive, and hard drive will void your warranty. So you will be taking a moderate risk. There are ways the manufacture can identify if you have been inside. Hopefully this guide will help reduce this risk. The tools listed above are mandatory to do the procedure correctly.

Procedure

 * 1) Test each RAM module in the external slot to make sure it is not faulty. Download memtest86 from http://www.memtest86.com
 * 2) Make certain environment is very clean, and free of static.
 * 3) Remove battery, and ac power source from laptop.



























After it is evenly seated, and ONLY after you make 100% sure, press the module down until it clicks. Using a flashlight make sure it is still even. Next cover the exposed circuits with a cloth paying attention not to jam the cloth in the cooling fans, and then set keyboard upright. Then plug in your AC power source and power on the laptop. Enter the system bios and verify the ram is registering correctly, and if so, power off and reverse procedure to assemble. Now is a good time to blow out the system with compressed air, or canned air. Oh and BTW, did you know that canned air is nothing more than r134a refrigerant used in 1994 and up automobiles?



Conclusion
This guide was designed for the average user with basic computer skills for the purposes of upgrading and maintenance. The two most popular upgrades are a 7200RPM hard drive, and 2GB or RAM. Feel free to email me with any questions you may have. Feedback is always appreciated, any of your ideas are also welcome.

Photo Sources

http://www.ebcym.com/laptop/laptop.html

http://www.wereshark.com/m6805/

And of course some of my own.