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    Instructions for adding ram to notebook?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by markr, May 3, 2006.

  1. markr

    markr Notebook Enthusiast

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    Based on advice from members of this forum, I just purchased a Compaq Presario V2000z with 256MB ram installed, plus an additional 512MB ram from newegg. Where can I find instructions on-line for adding the ram? Also, I was quite surprised when I powered up the laptop at how slow it is. Obviously, it's brand new, so the only s/w on it is what it came with (which includes quite a few programs). Is it normal for a brand new laptop with only 256MB and the standard assortment of pre-installed s/w to be slow? Is adding the additional 512MB likely to solve the problem. If not, are there other suggestions? Thanks and regards.
     
    markr, May 3, 2006
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  2. markr

    markr Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay, well a quick Google search turned up instructions on how to install ram. But I'm still curious about how darn slow my brand new out of the box laptop is.
     
    markr, May 3, 2006
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  3. RogueMonk

    RogueMonk Notebook Deity

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    It should be fairly simple. There is a compartment on the bottom of your machine. Unplug your AC and remove your battery. Then open the ram compartment by remove the two (or one) screw off the cover. Remove the over and add the ram to the empty ram slot. Replace the cover. Put battery in and plug in the AC. It should work just like that.
     
    RogueMonk, May 3, 2006
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  4. miner

    miner Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    HP should have the service manual contining the exact instructions to upgrade the RAM.

    256MB is considered bare minimum to run Win XP. Although MS says 128MB will be fine, in most cases with the additional software installed there wont be enough memory. Also the V2000Z has integrated graphics meaning that some amount of that memory is taken away for use by the graphicscard. So in reality you would start with most probably on 192MB ro so of memory and Windows will take the eat up the rest pretty quickly.

    Upgrding to 512MB would be the cheapest route to see some benefits but investing in 1GB is ideal.
     
    miner, May 3, 2006
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  5. markr

    markr Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks for the response. One more quick question: do I need to worry about the compatibility of the ram? Like I said, I bought it on newegg and was given the impression that it was compatible with my laptop. It's OCZ PC 2700 SODIMM. I checked the HP website, but their "Memory Finder" returned "No records found" for "Presario."
     
    markr, May 3, 2006
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  6. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Yeah ram is pretty easy to install. Just look under the laptop until you see a compartment that shows what looks to be a stick of ram. Open it up and replace. :) I did it without a manual and it turned out okay. Now I got 2 GB of ram. :D
    Tim
     
    Tim, May 3, 2006
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