Trying to install some new RAM

[Garibaldi]

I'm helping a friend add some more RAM to his HP Pavilion 6736 Desktop. Unfortunately this task is almost completely impossible because the RAM slots are situated almost completely under the housings for the CD-ROM and Floppy drives. There is absolutely no space to maneuver in there. He had one RAM card in, a 60 MB one. Its taller than the new one that he bought, so it almost touches the bottom of the floppy housing. I finally managed to get the new 256 MB RAM installed in the 2nd slot next to the original one, and tried booting it up. The computer beeped 3 times in a row and wouldn't start. So I removed the new RAM and it booted up fine. Anyway basically what we think is the new RAM must not be the right speed or something for this computer. Also he has ME so its not a good situation. Any suggestions on how to install this RAM easier (maybe a secret trick to removing the cd and floppy housings?)?

Thanks.

[econtrerasguzman]

what you got to do is remove the 3 front screws (first you got to remove the plastic cover from the front) and then there is a screw at the top of the CD cage and a little tab you got to pull while you pull the front cage out, it will also help if you remove 2 screws and move the fan and the PSU out of the way at the back, this will give you WAY more room after, i know this cuz my friend also got a HP with windows ME

try that out it will work

[Garibaldi]

what you got to do is remove the 3 front screws (first you got to remove the plastic cover from the front) and then there is a screw at the top of the CD cage and a little tab you got to pull while you pull the front cage out, it will also help if you remove 2 screws and move the fan and the PSU out of the way at the back, this will give you WAY more room after, i know this cuz my friend also got a HP with windows ME

try that out it will work

Ok thanks alot! Does the CD cage slide out the front or what? Also will I be able to move it enough to access the RAM but still leave everything connected (IDE and powersupply)?

[ViRaL1]

On some models, you can get better access to RAM by just removing the floppy / hard drive cage which doesn't require removing the front faceplate. But you'll still have to unhook the cables before you pull it out.

[p_l]

Hi!

Here's a step-by-step guide, and here's a video that shows how.

HTH!

[Poppa_Meth]

What speed memory did you get? I just got some PC100 for an old Gateway I put Win2000 on for my mother. When I was looking into it I discovered that newer PC133 is no longer backwards compatible with systems requiring PC100.

[Garibaldi]

Hi!

Here's a step-by-step guide, and here's a video that shows how.

HTH!

Thanks alot p_l!!!! That looks like the exact same tower!!!

What speed memory did you get? I just got some PC100 for an old Gateway I put Win2000 on for my mother. When I was looking into it I discovered that newer PC133 is no longer backwards compatible with systems requiring PC100.

I'm not sure what speed he got but I believe it was PC133, which would probably mean we're having the same problem as you because the computer most likely has PC100.

[p_l]

Step 7 cracks me up. It looks like they're suggesting you hump your HP.

[montburnsy]

A mate recently told me not to mix ram of diff, makes. So i would try just taking the old one out, and putting in the new one. Boot it up to see what happens, and if it boots, you know where the problem lies.
if this solves the problem, you may want to take back the 128mb ram, and exchange it for a 512mb, or just get another 128mb and discard the 64mb one totally.
The OS(operating system) has no bearing on whether it boots or not, it is pre windows that is causing the problem. Hope this helps.

[Garibaldi]

A mate recently told me not to mix ram of diff, makes. So i would try just taking the old one out, and putting in the new one. Boot it up to see what happens, and if it boots, you know where the problem lies.
if this solves the problem, you may want to take back the 128mb ram, and exchange it for a 512mb, or just get another 128mb and discard the 64mb one totally.
The OS(operating system) has no bearing on whether it boots or not, it is pre windows that is causing the problem. Hope this helps.

Thanks, I've tried every combination, even just having the new one in like you suggested. I can't be sure that its in all the way (because I can't see or feel the other end or other tab) but when I boot it up it beeps three times in sequence and then doesn't boot. So obviously something isn't working.

[montburnsy]

OK, only other thing i can suggest, is you turn the computer off, unplug it from the power, then look for the battery on the motherboard, and take it out for around 30secs. then replace the battery, MAKE SURE THE RAM IS IN BOTH ENDS FIRST, (this is a must) then power up again.
When the battery is out, it resets the Bios, and hopefully this is what you need.

[p_l]

Don't be afraid to ram it in there good.


No, really, it often happens that the module is not inserted all the way in. It should click a little when you get it all the way in, and you should be able to click those side clips into position.

[Garibaldi]

OK, only other thing i can suggest, is you turn the computer off, unplug it from the power, then look for the battery on the motherboard, and take it out for around 30secs. then replace the battery, MAKE SURE THE RAM IS IN BOTH ENDS FIRST, (this is a must) then power up again.
When the battery is out, it resets the Bios, and hopefully this is what you need.

OK thanks that's a good idea, I'll try looking for the battery. 8)

Don't be afraid to ram it in there good.


No, really, it often happens that the module is not inserted all the way in. It should click a little when you get it all the way in, and you should be able to click those side clips into position.

I've tried ramming it in there good, but I do want to be cautious since its not my machine. Plus the big problem is I can only get a good grip on one side of the ram, so what's probably happening when I force it in there is other side is popping up, even though it seems like its in there. Unfortunately there is no way to get at it to prevent it from doing that. Also I can lock the clip on one side in but the other side the clip actually rests against the far wall and I can't reach it to close it. I can touch it just barely but I can't actually move it to close. Unfortunately the tight space is so very limiting....

[montburnsy]

"I've tried ramming it in there good, but I do want to be cautious since its not my machine. Plus the big problem is I can only get a good grip on one side of the ram, so what's probably happening when I force it in there is other side is popping up, even though it seems like its in there. Unfortunately there is no way to get at it to prevent it from doing that. Also I can lock the clip on one side in but the other side the clip actually rests against the far wall and I can't reach it to close it. I can touch it just barely but I can't actually move it to close. Unfortunately the tight space is so very limiting.... "

ok, this is not right!
the RAM should auto clip into it's hole. You're right not to force too much,(could crack the motherboard) but you shouldn't have to touch the end clips yourself. (unless you're taking it out)
when you put RAM in, the end clips close the ram in by themselves.

[Garibaldi]

"I've tried ramming it in there good, but I do want to be cautious since its not my machine. Plus the big problem is I can only get a good grip on one side of the ram, so what's probably happening when I force it in there is other side is popping up, even though it seems like its in there. Unfortunately there is no way to get at it to prevent it from doing that. Also I can lock the clip on one side in but the other side the clip actually rests against the far wall and I can't reach it to close it. I can touch it just barely but I can't actually move it to close. Unfortunately the tight space is so very limiting.... "

ok, this is not right!
the RAM should auto clip into it's hole. You're right not to force too much,(could crack the motherboard) but you shouldn't have to touch the end clips yourself. (unless you're taking it out)
when you put RAM in, the end clips close the ram in by themselves.

Ok, that is good to know. I've been closing the one on my end manually because it won't close on its own, probably because the only place where I can push the RAM into the slot is on that side, and so its at an angle. I haven't been able to get the other clip to pop in place, do they need to be on for it to work?

[montburnsy]

simply put, yes.
if the clips don't/won't close, then the ram is most likely not in properly.
can you use a pen/pencil or something else to push down the other side?

[p_l]

its at an angle. I haven't been able to get the other clip to pop in place, do they need to be on for it to work?

Yeah, they do. That's why you're hearing that beeping when you boot.

Align the memory module so the two small notches on the lower edge line up with the raised marks in the socket.



Push straight down on top ends of the memory module until the memory module is fully seated in the socket. The retaining clips on the ends of the socket lock into place when properly seated.

To get better access, have you tried sliding forward the drive housing?

[Garibaldi]

its at an angle. I haven't been able to get the other clip to pop in place, do they need to be on for it to work?

Yeah, they do. That's why you're hearing that beeping when you boot.

Align the memory module so the two small notches on the lower edge line up with the raised marks in the socket.



Push straight down on top ends of the memory module until the memory module is fully seated in the socket. The retaining clips on the ends of the socket lock into place when properly seated.

To get better access, have you tried sliding forward the drive housing?

OK well that definitely answers why it wasn't working. I have tried getting a screwdriver or pencil into the space between all of the power cords to try and push down on the other end, unfortunately it doesn't really want to budge. The problem is I cannot tell if its actually in the grove on the far end.... I'll keep trying though.

The housing won't come out the front, that's one of the things I tried today. I managed to get the front plastic face off but I can tell the cage won't slide out, the front is one solid piece, with holes only big enough for the cd/floppy drives, nothing else.

[p_l]

If it's at all like my HP, there's a semi-hidden latch near the top of the housing, facing the exterior side panel you removed. If you pull out on that latch, it releases the housing so it can slide out the front as in the above illustration.

[Garibaldi]

If it's at all like my HP, there's a semi-hidden latch near the top of the housing, facing the exterior side panel you removed. If you pull out on that latch, it releases the housing so it can slide out the front as in the above illustration.

Well we got it in. I brought another friend of mine over and he figured out that there is a way to actually remove the side that the motherboard is attached to, after that it was a piece of cake to snap it in. Of course we then lost a screw for about 10 minutes!

Thanks for all your help. 8)

[Sifaga]

nice work

I love happy endings

[p_l]