Upgrading RAM on T400

I'm beefing up a recently purchased T400. I've already added a larger hard drive and am now ready to upgrade the RAM.

I assumed it would have been like other laptop memory upgrades: undo one or two screws, pull back a small plate, revealing the memory module sockets, and replace. Looking at the bottom of the laptop, however, I don't see such a compartment.

I see some labels to the screws, but they're a bit cryptic, and I can't quite figure out what they're for. It appears to me that I have to take the entire bottom casing off. Does that sound right?!

I looked at the hardware service manual, and it shows the memory chip as buried in the middle of a ridiculously complex disassembly. That got me worried.

Can anyone give me some help on how I can do this upgrade?

 

Unfortunately, it's not that simple on the T400. The memory modules are located under the touchpad, which requires you to pop off the palmrest. Check the sticky for the T400's Hardware Maintenace Manual, which will show you how to do it. I'm sure there's a video there too as well.

 

It looks a lot like how you install ram for the t61 series. Granted its not as easy as opening a plate and replacing the ram, but its not as bad as it looks.

If I remember correctly, just take out the screws they tell you to take out, and then you just pop off the palmrest. You just need to be careful since theres a ribbon/wire connecting the touchpad to the mobo. Just don't break it (i.e. move the palmrest off slowly and not too far). Other than that, the memory modules should be right there.

And only the palmrest comes off, not the bottom of the laptop.

 

You have to removed 4 screws, and then according to the manual, the front piece should kind of slide off. Then, the memory slots should be right there. You will have to disconnect a cable for fingerprint reader if your laptop has it. To be honest, I'm a bit nervous about adding RAM later on to my T500 as well.

 

I've already opened up the palm rest twice to get to the keyboard. The memory is easily accessible once the palm rest is off, and it only takes four screws as MidnightSun said.

 

Hi gang,
Thanks for the help. I'm happy to report that the RAM upgrade went smoothly.

There were no videos for the T400, as far as I could find. Maybe it's similar to a different model?

Anyway, with what you suggested, I removed four screws on the bottom of the laptop. The way they are labeled now makes sense: they have a keyboard and circuit board chip icon next to the screw to indicate (I assume) that those screws are the ones you need to remove to get at the memory modules and the keyboard. The screws are located in approximately a straight line, starting at the corner of the hard drive compartment cover, and more or less equally spaced to other side of the laptop.

After removing those screws and turning the laptop over, it was relatively easy to pop the palm rest bezel off. As mentioned, be careful not to pull on the bezel too much, as you could break the ribbon. Just under the bezel is the memory module socket.

Out with the old, in with the new. Bam.

Thanks again!