Upgrade Memory on 6130HS

If you're going to be using a powerful puter, you might as well deck it out with more memory. Right? So, last night I decided to checkout the underside of the 6130. Here are the details.

(1) According to the documentation, the 6130HS can be upgraded with a standard portable DIMM memory module with a capacity of 128, 256, 512, or 1024 meg of SDRAM. In the case of the 6130 with a front-side bus (FSB) of 800mHz, it needs to a 200-pin, DDR 2700 and rated at 2.5 volts.

(2) I picked up a 512meg Corsair module at Micro Center for $120. Not a bad price.

(3) This is obvious, but be sure that the puter is powered off and the AC adapter is not plugged in.

(4) Be sure an discharge any static electricity by touching a water pipe or other 'grounded' object.

(5) Averatec recommends you open the laptop and fully extend the screen before turning it over for the dissection procedure. I chose to keep it closed, and instead I laid the puter on a soft, but thick towel.

(6) Next you remove the System Device Cover - as Averatec calls it. There are 11 tiny screws that need to be removed. Be sure and use an appropriate size phillips-head screw driver.

(7) After removing the cover, you will notice the memory modules and sockets in the middle of the area to the left. These are typical sockets used in notebook puters.

(8) On each side of the socket are short metal tabs that need to be gently pulled to the side to free the DIMM. It will spring up angle at about 30 degrees. Simple with gentle, but firm presure pull the module straight out, NOT up, but out from the socket. This is a single 256meg DIMM module you are removing.

(9) You will notice that the 6130 also includes a second socket under, but offset to the right of the top socket. I did not investigate it, but it appears this module could be removed as well.

(10) Next rotate the laptop on the towel 90 degrees to the left. This orientation will leave the memory socket parallel to you. Making it much easier to apply the inward pressure in seating the memory module pins in the socket. You will want to do this on about a 30 degree angle, just the reverse of how you removed it.

(11) Once the pins are fully seated in the socket(you should not be able to see any of the copper pins of the DIMM), firmly and gentle from both sides of the DIMM push the back of the module downward until it snaps into place. When it does, it should be horizontal to the base of the puter.

(12)That's it! There's no BIOS setting that needs changing. Simply turn the machine on and notice during the POST (Power On Self Test) cycle, that the memory amount has been increased in the amount of the module size you installed. Mine powered up showing 768megs, so I knew everything worked.

(13) Replace the cover, the 11 screws and you should be in business with your additional memory.

Enjoy the added performance...

redjr..

 

Nicely done. I'm sure others will appreciate the step-by-step.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

So... according to documentation, the unit can be upgraded w/ 1gb chips? What's the max you can install? I think I remember reading somewhere 1gb total, but if there's two sockets...

 

michael,

I did some more investigating last night, and there are 2 sockets in the 6130. I decided to reverse the two sticks I had installed (256 & 512), to see if there were any restrictions, and apparently not. It worked perfectly. I believe you could install 2, 1 gig sticks and it will work fine. I read another post where someone confimed this with an Averatec support tech. I'm seriously considering installing another 512 stick to bring the total up to 1 gig. Presently, I have 768megs. 1 gig stick are expensive, although someone did mention in this forum about a vendor selling 1 gig stick for $158. Alas, I couldn't find the post so I can't be sure, or who the vendor was.

regards,
redjr..