22.5.

2010

How to Upgrade and Install RAM Mem

HP Customer Care

> HP Pavilion ze4900 CTO Notebook PC

How to Upgrade and Install RAM Memory

Support details
One of the easiest ways to improve the performance of a computer is to increase the amount of
RAM memory. Different computer models can support different amounts of RAM memory.
Use the table below to determine the amount of RAM memory that is supported on your HP
notebook PC.
Operating System
Windows XP

Amount of RAM memory supported

1-2 GB

Windows 7 and Windows Vista 32-bit 2-4 GB (Only about 3 GB will be used by the operating system)
Windows 7 and Windows Vista 64-bit Any amount of RAM is supported by the operating system.

Information you need for upgrading your RAM memory

This document provides instructions about how to find the information that you will need when you
upgrade RAM memory in your HP notebook PC. To upgrade the RAM memory, you need to know
the following:
Model number of the HP notebook PC
Amount of installed RAM memory
Number of RAM memory slots that are available and in use
Maximum amount of supported RAM memory
Type of RAM memory
You can find information about RAM memory that is specific to your particular HP notebook PC
model by reading the User Guide for the model, reading the Product Specification sheet for the
model, or by opening the RAM memory access panel and looking at the RAM memory that is
installed.
NOTE:

The type, speed, and amount of RAM memory that is used in every model is different
and cannot be mixed.

How to locate the Model Number of an HP Notebook PC

To order replacement internal components, i.e. RAM memory, you must know the exact model
number of the computer. The model number and serial number are printed on the outside of the
shipping box that you received when you purchased the computer. On all HP Pavilion and Compaq
Presario Vista-capable notebook PCs, the model number, and serial number, is printed on a serial
tag label on the bottom of the computer.
For more assistance locating the model number see HP Notebook PCs - Locate the Notebook
Product Number or Model Number .
Figure 1: Sample Model Number for HP Notebook PC

The series number of the computer may be imprinted on the case near the keyboard or on the
frame around the display screen. This series number is a generalized identification of the computer
and does NOT provide sufficient information for ordering replacement parts.
In the unlikely event that the service tag label was removed, do the following to locate the model
number.
1. Click Start , Help & Support , and then System Information .
2. On the System Information window, under Basic information, click Hewlett Packard (or
Compaq) to display the model number and the serial number.
3. For older computers, visit the HP web site for documents on locating the model number.

Locating your User Guide and Product Specification sheet

A copy of the User Guide is stored on the hard drive, and is also available for download from the HP
web site.

Locating your User Guide on the hard drive

To locate your User Guide on the hard drive, follow the steps below.
1. Click Start , then Help & Support .

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2. On the Help & Support home page, click User Guides .

Locating your User Guide and Product Specification sheet on

the HP web site
To locate your User Guide and Product Specification sheet on the HP web site, follow the
steps below.
1. Open a browser and go to the hp.com home page.
2. On the HP home page, click Support & Troubleshooting .
3. Type the model number of your computer in the for Product: search field and then
press enter .
4. Select your model from the Product search results list.
5. On the product page, select Product information .
6. On the Product information page, select Manuals from either the list of
documents, or from the list in the left column.
In the User Guide, search for the Replacing a memory module
topic. The article contains pictures showing how to remove and install
RAM memory in the specific computer model.
7. On the Product information page, select Product Specification from the list of
documents. In the Product Specification sheet, search for the Memory Max topic.

Determining where your RAM memory is located

RAM memory is installed inside of the memory module compartment, which is located on the
bottom of the computer on most HP notebook PCs. Some HP notebook PCs are designed with the
memory module compartment under the keyboard. If the memory module compartment for your
particular notebook PC is under the keyboard, HP recommends that you contact an HP-authorized
support or repair facility for assistance in ordering and replacing the RAM memory.

Determining how much RAM memory is installed in your

computer
Prior to upgrading RAM, you need to determine how much RAM memory you have to decide if it's
helpful to upgrade your RAM memory. It may be that you have 2 GB of RAM installed and the
capacity for your particular computer model is 4 GBin which case, it may be advisable for you to
upgrade your RAM memory. However, if you have 4 GB of RAM memory already installed and the
capacity for your particular computer model is also 4 GB, it is not be helpful for you to upgrade your
RAM memory.
You can upgrade the amount of RAM memory that is installed in your computer by adding a RAM
memory module to the vacant expansion memory module slot, if available, and/or by upgrading the
existing memory module in the primary memory module slot.

Determining how much RAM memory is installed in your

computer while the computer is turned on
To determine how much RAM memory is installed in your computer while it is turned on,
follow the steps below.
1. Click Start , Help & Support , and then System Information .
2. Under Hardware, click Memory (RAM) to display the Memory Configuration for the
computer, including the number of modules and the size of each module.

Determining how much RAM memory is installed in your

computer while the computer is turned off
To determine how much RAM memory is installed in your computer while it is turned off,
follow the steps below.
1. Verify the computer is turned off, not simply in the hibernate mode.
2. Disconnect the A/C power adapter.
3. Turn the notebook over and place it on a firm surface.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the cover on the memory module
compartment. (See the User's Guide for instructions on how to remove the RAM
memory for the specific computer.)

6. With the cover removed, and before you touch the RAM memory, ground yourself

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to discharge any static electricity.
NOTE: To ground yourself, and discharge and static electricity, place one hand
on the case of the computer and touch the other hand to a metal surface
or grounded object, such as the metal part of a lamp.

7. Look at the RAM memory to determine the number of available memory module
slots, and the number of slots that are already in use.

8. Release the side catches, and hold the edges to remove the RAM memory.
NOTE: Do not touch the gold connectors where the module is inserted into the
holder. Touching the connectors can damage the existing RAM memory.

9. Look on the RAM memory for stickers that display replacement part numbers and
product information.

The product information on RAM memory may include: Size (256 MB or 512 MB or
1024 MB), Type (DDR or DDR2), Speed (333 Mhz or 533 Mhz), and PC2 class
(4200 or 5300). A manufacturer or supplier may provide additional information.
TIP: If there are two slots and two small (256 MB) modules, consider replacing them with
two 1 GB modules. If there are two slots and only one 512 MB module, consider purchasing
one additional 1 GB module.

Ordering replacement RAM memory

HP recommends purchasing RAM memory directly from HP, an authorized HP dealer, or from a
reputable computer parts supplier.
NOTE:

As stated earlier, before you can order internal replacement components, i.e. RAM
memory, you must know the exact model number of the computer.

Click "how to buy" on this page to purchase accessories from HP .

Search online for suppliers and compare prices and shipping services.
The prices of modules vary with each parts manufacturer and supplier.

Installing RAM memory

Notebooks are designed so that additional RAM memory can be added using a simple Phillips
screwdriver. After reviewing the following steps, if you are not confident in performing the installation
yourself, contact an HP authorized distributor for technical assistance.
NOTE:

If someone other than HP installs or upgrades the RAM memory, any damage caused
by the RAM memory and/or by a person trying to install or upgrade the RAM memory is
excluded from coverage under the product warranty. The customer assumes all risk and
liability for damages for any such installation or upgrade.

1. Verify the computer is turned off, not simply in the hibernate mode.
2. Disconnect the A/C power adapter.
3. Turn the notebook over and place it on a firm surface.
4. Remove the battery.
5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the cover on the memory module compartment. (See
the User's Guide for instructions on how to remove the RAM memory for the specific
computer.)
6. With the cover removed, and before you touch the RAM memory, ground yourself to
discharge any static electricity.
NOTE:

To ground yourself, and discharge and static electricity, place one hand on the
case of the computer and touch the other hand to a metal surface or grounded
object, such as the metal part of a lamp.

7. To release the RAM memory, use a small wooden tool, or fingernail, to spread the clips
holding the ends of the RAM memory in place.

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One side of the RAM memory will rise when the clips are released.
Remove the RAM memory and place it in an anti-static bag.

8. Remove the new RAM memory from the protective anti-static bag and hold the RAM
memory by the ends.
9. Place the gold contacts into the connector (bracket) and gently, but firmly, press the RAM
memory into place. The clips will click when the RAM memory is properly seated.
10. Replace the cover and tighten the restraining screw.
11. Replace the battery and A/C power.
12. Turn on the computer and allow it to reconfigure and recognize the additional RAM
memory and improve performance.
If the computer does not start properly after replacing the RAM memory (the screen will remain
black and the computer will turn itself off within a few seconds), disconnect the power, and then
remove and reinsert the RAM memory.
If the computer still does not restart properly, remove the replacement RAM memory, reinstall the
original RAM memory, and verify that the computer can operate in its original configuration.

See also
HP Notebook PCs - Locate the Notebook Product Number or Model Number

Other solutions customers found helpful

HP Notebook PCs -- Hard Drive and Memory (RAM) Verification
HP Notebook PCs -- Locate the Notebook Product Number or Model Number
HP Notebook PCs -- Order Recovery Discs for Windows 7, Vista, or XP
HP Notebook PCs -- Windows 7 Upgrade Options for Notebook PCs
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