How to Upgrade Memory in an Asus Eee PC

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Want to get more out of your Asus Eee PC? Replace the 512MB memory module with a 1 or 2GB memory module. Here is a quick and easy guide on how to upgrade the memory inside your 4 or 8 G Eee PC 700 series.

Steps

Step 1. Buy the right memory

Look for standard DDR2 laptop (not desktop) memory modules with 200-pin connectors. Select a 1 or 2 GB DDR2 memory module at 533 or 667 MHz frequency. This can be the PC-4200 or PC-5300 modules, respectively. Among the recommended brands: Kingston, Corsair, Patriot, Viking and others.

Step 2. Turn off your Eee PC if it is turned on

Also unplug the AC adapter.

Step 3. Prepare your Eee PC by placing it upside down on a flat surface with some form of padding

Keep the front of the laptop facing up. The Eee PC will need to be placed on its top cover to replace the memory, so you will need to use a non-abrasive surface. For example, a large mouse pad on your desk, a large piece of rubber, or a clean carpeted floor will do. Be sure to discharge yourself to ground, otherwise some surfaces may cause a component to short out.

Step 4. Remove the battery

This will prevent you from accidentally shorting something on the system board during this process. To remove the battery:

1. Use your left thumb to press and hold the battery lock switch, placing it further to the left in the unlocked position.
2. Use your right hand to click over the battery lock switch and place it further to the right in the unlocked position.

3. Use your right hand to gently pull the battery away from the laptop. Push a little at a time, alternating on each side. The new Eee PCs and batteries can feel a little too tight at first.

   

   Step 5. Open the memory cover on the back of the Eee PC

   1. If present, remove the Eee PC adhesive that covers only one screw.
   2. Unscrew both screws completely with a Phillips # 0 jeweler screwdriver.
   3. Remove the screws with your fingers and set them aside.
   4. Use your finger and / or fingernail to pull up the front of the lid. There should be a small slot here to give you room to pry.

   5. Keep it pulled until the lid opens, then set it aside for now.

      

      Step 6. Remove the existing module

      It should be located towards the front of the laptop, with the empty space towards the back. It is held by two metal forks on each side.

      1. Use both thumb nails at the same time to press outward on the forks. The form will give you a slight spring feeling. When the forks have been fully pressed on both sides, the module will position itself at an angle.
      2. Once the module is released from the forks, gently grab it by the edge and pull it out at the same angle it is at rest. This is an angle of approximately 15-25 degrees to the laptop.

      3. Set the module aside, in a safe place, free from electrostatic charges.

         

         Step 7. Unpack the new module

         Most of the memory will be sold in a rigid, transparent piece of plastic. Gently remove it from the packaging by pressing on it from the plastic side. Avoid bending the module or applying too much force to the package.

         

         Step 8. Install the new module

         Use the removal process as a backwards guide for this installation.

         1. At the same angle as before, insert the new memory module into the laptop's dedicated slot. Make sure it fits all the way until your contacts are no longer visible or difficult to see. Don't use force, but press gently.

         2. Press the module to align it so that it is parallel to the laptop. The memory slot forks will click closed when the module is inserted correctly.

            

            Step 9. Verify that the memory is recognized by your Eee PC

            Before closing the memory cover, it is useful to verify that it is recognized by the laptop and its operating system.

            1. Gently reinsert the battery.
            2. Turn the laptop over and turn it on.
            3. With Xandros - Default Linux Distribution - Click on the "Settings" tab.
            4. Click on "System Information" and verify that the "Memory Size" is "1024 MB" (1 GB).

            5. For 2GB modules, click on "Diagnostic Tools" instead and check that "RAM Size" shows "2048 MB" (2GB).

               

               Step 10. Replace the memory cover by snapping it closed and reinserting the screws

               If you have installed 2GB of RAM on an Eee PC that has the Xandros Linux operating system by default, now is the time to recompile the kernel. This will allow it to recognize the full 2GB of system memory.

               

               Step 11. Put the Xandros OS to use 2GB of memory

               Continue with the "Installing a New Kernel" section to read the instructions.

               Method 1 of 1: Install a New Kernel

               If you have Xandros:

               Step 1. Create a "Recovery Mode" for Xandros

               This is a convenient way to start the Eee PC with a root privilege, in command line mode which will allow you to modify system files. It is essential to do the following.

               Step 2. Download a pre-compiled kernel for the Eee PC specific Xandros distribution that supports 2GB of memory

               Look at Sources and Citations below to see a list of sites where you can find it.

               Step 3. Save and rename the downloaded file

               It should be saved in your home folder, which typically is / home / user /. Rename the file to something appropriate (for example, vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc-2GB):

               1. From the "Work" tab, open the "File Manager".
               2. Make sure "My Home" is selected, then click once on the downloaded file to highlight it.

               3. Awards

                  

                  to rename the file, after which press

                  

                  when you're done.

                  Step 4. Restart your Eee PC

                  Make sure you enter "Recovery Mode" this time. Press repeatedly

                  

                  after seeing the first screen, then select "Recovery Mode" or the name you selected in the first step.

                  Step 5. Type these commands at the # prompt, by pressing

                  

                  after each of them.

                  Remember to use the file name selected for the last command:

                  mount / dev / sda1 mnt-system

                  mount / dev / sda2 mnt-user

                  cp / mnt-user / home / user / vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc-2GB / mnt-system / boot

                  Step 6. Run vi to edit the Grub boot loader menu to add a new entry to this kernel

                  Type the following command and press

                  

                  after it:

                  vi / mnt-system / boot / grub / menu.lst

                  Step 7. Use vi to add the new entry

                  The vi editor is not intuitive for those familiar with multi-graphic editors such as Microsoft Windows Notepad, Wordpad, or Word. It is very powerful, but at the same time, very complicated and difficult to learn. For now, follow these steps to edit this file.

                  1. Use the cursor keys to move down the first item (paragraph) for "Normal Startup". Place the cursor on the first line of this section.

                  2. Copy the section using the following key sequence. This will copy five lines from where the cursor is:

                     

                     

                     

                  3. Move the cursor down below this section to the next blank line. Paste our text previously copied via:

                     

                  4. For the line of this new entry starting with "kernel" (that is: kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc quiet rw vga = 785 irqpoll root = / dev / sda1), change the name of zmlinuz to the name of your new kernel file. Eg:

                     kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc-2GB quiet rw vga785 irqpoll root = / dev / sda1

                     To do this, press

                     

                     to switch vi to insert mode, move the cursor to this position and enter text. To remove text, use only

                     

                     Do not use

                     

                  5. Rename this new entry as you like.
                  6. It is advisable at this point to change the values of "fallback", "timeout" and "default". Each option (paragraph section) is written in the order in which they are listed. The first value is 0, the second is 1, the third is 2, etc. Default the newly added entry (ie 1), the fallback to the normal Boot entry (ie 0) and the timeout in seconds to 5 or any value of your preference. The timeout is how long the Grub Start Menu must remain until it automatically takes the default selection you have chosen.

                  7. If you wish, add a hash # to the front of the line it had "Hiddenmenu" to make sure the menu appears every time it starts up. If not, you'll have to hold down

                     

                     at system startup to return to this menu.

                  8. To exit vi input mode and return to command mode, you must press

                     

                  9. Save the file by pressing

                     

                     

                     

                     To exit vi without saving, you must press

                     

                     

                     

                     Step 8. Restart your PC when it returns to the command prompt

                     Do this by pressing

                     

                     

                     twice (maybe three times) until you see a message stating "Press [Enter] to restart" or until the Eee PC restarts by itself. If you have followed all the examples above, the default boot selection should be the new kernel.

                     Step 9. Test the new kernel by clicking on the "Settings" tab and launching "System Information" once Xandros boots the desktop

                     The system should report 2048 MB as "memory size".

                     Advice

                     • Upgrading to 2GB is only possible with a recompile of the Xandros Linux kernel. The default installation of Xandros will only recognize a maximum of 1GB of RAM.
                     • The previous steps to check the memory on an Eee PC with Microsoft Windows XP installed by default will vary. Open "Start" -> "Control Panel" -> "System" to check that the new memory is recognized.
                     • Use the packaging of your new memory module to keep the existing 512MB module.
                     • Always work on electronic components in an environment that is almost free from static electricity. If possible, use a vented work seat or grounded wrist strap. If not, be sure to dump yourself where you are sure you can before handling the memory module.

                     Warnings

                     • Check that the RAM is inserted very tightly. If not, a blow or bump to the laptop could loosen it for a second, which has the potential to corrupt files and damage the memory module. Even if the memory retention fork clicked when the module was inserted, it is not a guarantee that the module was fully inserted.
                     • Don't force anything. Each step within this process requires a light touch and minimal force.
                     • This procedure will not work on the Eee 2G Surf model. This low-end model has no memory slots, but the RAM is soldered to the system board. Additional memory can be soldered as the system board will recognize large memory. This type of upgrade is only for diehard schemers who don't mind losing their Asus warranties and risking damaging their Eee PC.
                     • Carpets are known to create static electricity, so be very careful if you choose to work on the floor. If you have decided to work on it anyway, it is advisable to use a grounding wrist strap.