How difficult to Install memory on a DV65xx/DV66xx Laptop?

How difficult is it to to install more memory on a DV65xx/DV66xx Laptop? Eg. Open the cover and pop in the memory or perform brain surgery?

Thanks

 

You have to check your manual to see if the memory is underneath the keyboard. If it's not, then it's as simple as taking off the cover and popping in the new memory. Whole process should take you less than 5 minutes.

If it's under the keyboard, it might take 10-15 minutes depending on how hard it is to take the keyboard off. But it's still not very complicated.

 

It is really really easy to replace the RAM in all the pavilion models. There is a compartment that you unscrew on the bottom of the laptop in order to access the memory. Once you have that off you will see the RAM. On each side of the RAM there are metal brackets, you need to pull those brackets outwards, and the RAM will lift up a bit, then you pull the RAM out the direction it is pointing from. It is very straightforward, and even if I didn't explain it so you can understand you'll be able to figure it out once you open open up the bottom panel.

 

I looked at the online manual and I could not tell if the laptop took 1 or 2 sticks of mem. Eg. if the laptop has 1meg. of memory, can I add one additional stick?

 

Unplug, remove the battery, pop the memory access hatch, swap SODIMMs, reverse. Easy. Just remember to remove the battery, lots of people forget to do that.

There should be a pair of SODIMMs to support dual-channel memory access. You'll want to buy a pair of DDR2-667 SODIMMs. I like Crucial.

 

Does adding more ram void your warranty?

 

Just put in the old memory when you send it in. The laptop has no stickers or anything that will let HP know you changed the RAM. The only reason I'm telling you to change the RAM back to normal when you send it in, is so that they don't change it back out if the RAM goes bad. Every laptop from HP has 2 memory slots. If you got 1GB of RAM it is 2x 512MB sticks, if you got 2GB of RAM it is 2x 1GB sticks, and if you got 4GB of RAM it is 2x 2GB sticks. The best way to do is to get the exact same RAM, this will allow it to run in dual channel which will increase performance.

 

So will 3gb (2gbx1gb) any good or do i have to get 2x2gb for it to work well? I only want to max out the 3gb that Vista32 can support.

 

Look at it this way, if you upgrade to 64 bit in the future, wouldn't it have been better if you just went with the 2x 2GB now? Its only a couple more dollars and it'll be worth it in the long haul, at least thats my opinion. Even though 32 bit OS won't see the full 4GB, it should still run in dual channel (please someone correct me if I'm wrong). It won't run in dual channel if you get the 2GB and 1GB stick. Just go with the 4GB, you won't have any regrets in the future then.

 

woah really? i never popped under my dv6500 before.
i really want to get up to 3GB of ram from my 2GB i have on it right now on vista home premium.

Does that mean i will have to go out and find one 2GB ram stick along with one 1GB that came with my laptop from HP?

 

A matched pair of 2GB SODIMMs would be better, as Envision says, but one 2GB and one 1GB stick will work if you don't mind sacrificing dual channel memory access. It's best to buy two 2GB sticks from the get-go, even though 32-bit Vista won't be able to access all of it.

 

Just go to www.newegg.com and purchase 2x 2GB sticks of RAM. Remember, that HP laptops can only support upto 667Mhz RAM, so buying the 800Mhz is a waste because it will only run at 667Mhz speed. If you get the 2x 2GB like I stated in my previous post, the RAM will run in dual channel mode which increases performance. While your computer will only be able to see and use 3.2GB, you will still gain the performance, and you never know if you'll upgrade to 64-bit in the future.

 

What brand of memory works best in the HP laptops? I'm thinking of getting 4GB, but I don't know which manufacturer is best. Crucial has 2GBx2 for $249.99 and NewEgg has Mushkin for $184.99.

Does the manufacturer matter much? I'd sure rather buy from someone other than HP. They charge too much of a premium.

Thanks