Installing memory cards

If you unplugged any of the power or data cords on your machine to get better access to the RAM slots, plug them back in now. Replace the access panel and screw it back down on the rear of the machine. Take your machine back to its usual spot and plug everything back in. Ultralight laptops almost never have user-accessible memory. Most laptops that allow user-accessible memory upgrades to do so either through a small access panel on the bottom of the case, or by performing some level of disassembly sometimes by removing the entire bottom, sometimes by removing the keyboard, sometimes a combination.

My ThinkPad Ts is pretty middle-of-the-road here: it requires me to remove the battery, take out eight different screws, and pop off the metal bottom to access the RAM.

Other designs only require you to remove a single screw, then take off a sectional cover. I only have access to one DIMM slot, the other is soldered to the motherboard. In this position, simply grip the card gently and pull it out of the slot. Be careful not to touch the electrical contacts, and set the module aside.

To insert the new module, go in at the same angle. The module should sit in the slot evenly, with no electrical contacts still visible. The pressure should make the clips clamp down on the module automatically, locking it into place. Then, you put everything back together. To solve this, simply go back and double-check that all the modules are fully inserted into their slots.

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Step 1 - Gathering Supplies. Memory installation supplies. Step 3 - Unplug the Power Cable. This includes any cables and accessories plugged into the computer. This discharges any residual electricity still in the system. Step 5 - Open the Case. Open computer case. Step 6 - Ground Yourself! Ground yourself. Step 7 - Remove Existing Memory Modules. Computer memory removal.

Start by toggling the plastic retention clips at either end of the memory slots so you can pull out the old RAM. Make sure the memory module is correctly oriented: The notch in the bottom edge of the RAM must match up with the rise in the memory slot.

Placing RAM in the incorrect slots could result in some performance degradation. Make sure the notch in the bottom edge of your RAM modules match up with the rises in the memory channel on your motherboard.

Finally, close up your computer case, plug everything back in, and turn on your computer. Let it run for a few minutes, then restart it and everything will be back to normal. Mentioned in this article.