[GUIDE] How to dismantle the One and install new RAM.

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Admin insert - video and another guide http://www.aspireoneuser.com/2008/08/29 ... e-netbook/

How to dismantle the One and install new RAM module

Acer Aspire One 110-AW and 110-AB comes with a 512MB mainboard-soldered RAM but it has a SODIMM slot which supports up to 1GB module RAM. (1GB, not 2GB). The maximum amount of RAM we can get is 1.5GB (512MB mainboard-soldered + 1GB in slot). Laptops , often have a "gate" to the RAM slot in the botton of the unit but this is not the case of the Aspire One. In the Aspire One we need to dismantle all the unit (Screen not included) to access the RAM slot.

To dismantle and install fresh RAM we will need:
-RAM Module: SODIMM DDR2 up to 1GB , 533Mhz (667Mhz modules also works, but not all, is better to be secure and get 533Mhz), 1.5v. Check this thread.
-Screwdriver
-An Acer Aspire One :P
-A lot of patience



Let's do it!

Put the Acer Aspire One over a table with some protective surface (the sleeve that comes in the netbook box can be used) with the bottom part exposed. Remove the battery aswell to expose more screws. Remove all the circle-red marked screws including the ones under the rubbers.



Now we must extract the keyboard because under it there are more screws to extract. We need to put attention in the front part of the keyboard (near the screen), we can see 3 small black tabs we need to press while lifting slowly the keyboard (the bars are already lift in the image) . Once the small bars were gone we need to push back the keyboard (to the screen) to remove it. Now we must disconnect the keyboard cable pushing up the brown tab.



Now that we have a keyboard-free netbook, we need to remove the screws under it. Remove the touchpad cable aswell like the keyboard one.



Now we must be careful and lift the plastic case starting in one of the sides. Lift the plastic with you hands: there are tabs in both sides and in the front. Once removed you will be very close to the RAM slot. Remove the marked screws in the exposed mainboard, remove SSD disc cable, wifi module cable and the small tricoloured cable.



Now we need to lift the mainboard in the part the wifi module was until we can see the RAM slot in the backside as show in the image. Be careful because they are components still connected in the backside. We insert our new RAM module as show in the image.



Now we will test if the RAM is correctly installed. Put back the mainboard and without connect anything except keyboard and the small tricoloured cable , connect battery or power supply and power on the netbook. When the "ACER" screen is shown , press F2 to enter CMOS BIOS Configuration menu. Once there. Press right arrow on the keyboard to get the next tab when Video memory and RAM memory are shown. If the RAM is correctly installed you will see a number bigger than 512MB (The soldered memory) indicating the total amount of the RAM including the new module you just added. If you get 512MB as memory amount, check if the module was well inserted and repeat the process. If you checked all and the memory is still 512Mb probably your memory module is not compatible. Try another and be sure to buy SODIMM DDR2 not bigger than 1GB and 533Mhz (some 667Mhz modules will work but not all) 1.5v. Check this thread.

If all is OK mount again the netbook and you are ready to go. Boosted Acer Aspire ideal for installing Windows.

P.D: Sorry for my english but im spanish :P
 
Excellent job, I've got all the pics, just didnt get round to making the guide yet.
Once you've dismantled once, you can do it with your eyes closed (I know I can)
Maybe you should mention about the different sizes of screws for un-dismantling, like how on the back there are the 5 longest scresws and 3 small ones, and small ones everywhere else...?
Just a thought
Rory
 
rory said:
Excellent job, I've got all the pics, just didnt get round to making the guide yet.
Once you've dismantled once, you can do it with your eyes closed (I know I can)
Maybe you should mention about the different sizes of screws for un-dismantling, like how on the back there are the 5 longest scresws and 3 small ones, and small ones everywhere else...?
Just a thought
Rory

Yeah i should mention that but when i dismantled the unit i put the screws in order to not get confused when i re-mount the unit :P
 
Removing that plastic/metal heatsink?

Could you go into more detail on that step after removing the keyboard? I see that metal/plastic panel, which I assume is some kind of heat sink or something like that. After removing all the screws, I can't figure out how to remove that panel safely. I've tried tugging on it, tried pushing it to one side to see if it would lift up on the other side. Obviously I don't want to try lifting it by inserting a screwdriver thru one of the holes.

Any hints or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--- Rex.
 
Re: Removing that plastic/metal heatsink?

rexworld said:
Could you go into more detail on that step after removing the keyboard? I see that metal/plastic panel, which I assume is some kind of heat sink or something like that. After removing all the screws, I can't figure out how to remove that panel safely. I've tried tugging on it, tried pushing it to one side to see if it would lift up on the other side. Obviously I don't want to try lifting it by inserting a screwdriver thru one of the holes.

Any hints or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--- Rex.

Lift the plastic with you hands: there are tabs in both sides and in the front.
 
Ah, thank you that worked. Cool, now I've got 1.5 MB RAM.

Thank you again for the help.
 
Excellent! Your English is just fine :)

This device has to be the most absurdly difficult thing I have yet seen to add RAM (or change a battery - I see the button cell to
run the system clock there, too).

2 notes:
- I had some trouble removing the keyboard figuring out how exactly to push the little tabs. It seems that they must be pushed horizontally upwards (towards the screen) about 0.7mm. Having done that, I could lift the keyboard with a fingernail under a button. The top of the keyboard must be lifted clear of the case before it can be pushed gently towards the screen to free the lower edge.
- I was stupid with the ribbon cables and took the connector apart instead of opening it. Mine are white with a black tab (not brown).
Gently flip the tab up by sliding a fingernail along the cable, then pull on edge of the tab. It should click to a vertical position.

The store I bought it from (Staples in Canada) wanted $25 to install a $50 RAM. I thought that was ridiculous, but now I'm not so sure.
Try and talk the store into selling you an Aspire with extra RAM pre-installed. Their risk.
 
adaviel said:
Excellent! Your English is just fine :)

This device has to be the most absurdly difficult thing I have yet seen to add RAM (or change a battery - I see the button cell to
run the system clock there, too).

2 notes:
- I had some trouble removing the keyboard figuring out how exactly to push the little tabs. It seems that they must be pushed horizontally upwards (towards the screen) about 0.7mm. Having done that, I could lift the keyboard with a fingernail under a button. The top of the keyboard must be lifted clear of the case before it can be pushed gently towards the screen to free the lower edge.
- I was stupid with the ribbon cables and took the connector apart instead of opening it. Mine are white with a black tab (not brown).
Gently flip the tab up by sliding a fingernail along the cable, then pull on edge of the tab. It should click to a vertical position.

The store I bought it from (Staples in Canada) wanted $25 to install a $50 RAM. I thought that was ridiculous, but now I'm not so sure.
Try and talk the store into selling you an Aspire with extra RAM pre-installed. Their risk.

It would be a good point if Acer included a plastic cover, just like the one to insert the future 3G module, instead of opening up all the netbook to install a single RAM module...
 
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