How do i install RAM in V2000z?

Could someone explain to me how do intall a stick of ram into an empty slot inthe v2000z Turion?

Im getting it with only 256 and will order aftermarket a stick of either 512 or 1 gb.

I need to know which manufactures to get and if its just better for the laptop to get it all at once from hp?

If i get one stick aftermarket does it incur any problems? any changes i need to make in the laptop?

Thanks for ur advice in advance.

 

I have this notebook and also got it with the stock 256mb first then added an extra 512mb PC3200 corsair stick. Upgrading outside of HP is the cheapest route to go. A CTO V2000Z will charge +$50 to add an additional 256mb stick of memory to your notebook. You can easily find name brand memory at $50 or less for 512mb stick and $100 or less for 1gb. Plus most memory carries a lifetime warrenty and is returnable if you're not satisfied. Unless you can beat these prices by ordering with HP... it's not worth it at all.

Picking memory is a bit tricky for this notebook (so I hear) because some memory may be incompatible due to the 200m using it for it's dedicated memory. I'd say go with some big names like Crucial, Corsair, Kingston, etc and either get PC3200 or PC2700 sodimm notebook memory.

The installed memory is PC2700, so if you were to install a PC3200 stick, the notebook will run both sticks of memory only as fast as it's slowest stick (PC2700). If you were to have only PC3200 memory, it'll run 400mhz pending you have the newest bios. The reason I got PC3200 is because it only cost $2 more.

To install memory, flip the notebook over, and unscrew the two screws holding the square peice of plastic covering the memory (the two screws do NOT come off of the plastic, just unscrew it until it unlocks the square plastic peice from the notebook). It's the square box directly in the middle. Once you take off the cover, you'll see a stick of memory in there already in Slot 1. Slot 2 should be empty. I have heard the video card draws memory from slot 2 (don't know what to base this on) so lots of people have had sucess taking the original memory out of Slot 1, and putting the upgrade memory in it's place and putting the orginal memory in Slot 2.

Taking memory out and in isn't two hard, just lightly pull apart the two hinges on each side of the memory stick until the memory pops out a little and then pull it out. To insert memory, make sure the connections at the bottom where the memory goes in lines up with the connections on the notebook, push it down into the slot and apply a little pressure downwards to pop it into place (not too hard but not too light... you should hear a click).

Once you're done, screw back on the cover and start up your notebook. You should not have to change any settings on your notebook's software. It will automatically detect the new stick and you can see the total memory on your system by right clicking "My Computer" on Windows XP and going to "Properties".

To make sure there's no issues with the new memory, try running Memtest and a Stress test (like prime95). A google search should direct you to more information about the software. Play around with the computer a bit making sure there's no blue screens or other lockups. If there are, the new memory chip probably is conflicting with your hardware and you should try another chip

 

You know you can edit you message instead of deleting it.

 

Sorry about that =)

 

Hey breezi!
thanks for your info!

Question for ya - how did your memory change go? did you have any problems?

Also - did you end up removing the stock memory since as you said it would lower the aftermarket speed? or did u just put in the new one and let it run lower?

Could you send me a link to the right memory for the v2000z - im still not sure what kind i should use.

Also how are u liking the v2000z? Any complaints/regrets/or good comments?

Im looking to get:
v2000z
turion ml30
60GB 5400rpm
256 Ram + aftermarket
12 cell battery


thankss

 

I kept the stock memory because without it, I'd only have one stick of 512mb memory. Running it at 160mhz vs 200mhz won't make much of a difference in speed because on one hand you can have a faster bus speed, and on the other you can have a slightly slower bus speed with 256mb+ of memory.

I got the Corsair PC3200 512mb from Frys (I went there and pricematched monarch computer's price and got it for about $50 even). They also have this same memory at newegg.

Corsair in PC3200 (400mhz)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145506

Corsair and in PC2700 (333mhz)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145484

PQI in PC2700 (333mhz) <-read reviews, several v2000z users got this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141207

Like I said before, other brands (crucial, kingston, PQI, muskin) "should" work as well and all come with lifetime warrenties. The reason I bought it instore was so that if by chance there was a memory conflict (which isn't rare with this notebook), I could swap it out with another brand or chip right away w/o worrying about re-shipping fees.

Good comments are same as everyone..
-Great screen
-Fast
-Good battery life with 12 cell (5+ hours)
-Bluetooth works nice (i like the bluetooth mouse im using with it)
-Decent audio quality
-200m video card isn't too shabby (even though I set the memory used for it to 64mb instead of the default 128mb)
-Comfortable keyboard to type with
-Best bang for buck
-Etc

My personal complaints
-The fan turns on a lot BUT its really quiet - all in all it's my biggest complaint
-The extended battery IS very ugly (IMO) even though I don't mind the feel of it- this is basically just a complaint about the appearance
-The top black lid gets dirty easily... fingerprint and smudges every where
-The lid doesnt close very tightly.. seems cheap but the rest of the laptop seems fairly well built
-This computer heats up like crazy! the keyboard and mousepad are super warm

I have no regrets b/c with the budget I was willing to spend on a notebook, this one out performed all of them. If I had more money ($1200-1500) I probably would of got a nice Thinkpad (high end one) or a Sony Vaio S series.