How to increase the amount of RAM in the Asus Eee PC

Want to squeeze a little more out of your Asus Eee PC? Replace its native 512MB RAM with a 1GB or 2GB module. This is a quick and easy guide on how to replace the RAM in your Eee PC 700 series (4G or 8G).

Steps

Step 1. Purchase the right memory

Standards-based, DDR2 RAM modules for notebooks (not for desktop PCs) with a 200-pin connector. Choose which memory stick you want: 1GB or 2GB, 553MHz or 667MHz. Also, the last characteristic can be indicated in the form of marks PC-4200 or PC-5300, respectively. When choosing a manufacturer, do not limit yourself to such popular brands as Kingston, Corsair, Patriot, and Viking.

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

Also disconnect the power supply from it.

Step 3. Prepare your Eee PC by placing it upside down on a flat, slightly bouncy surface

Keep the laptop facing you. The Eee PC must lie on its cover when replacing the memory, so use a non-abrasive surface. For example, you can use a large mouse pad, foam pad, cloth, or even carpet. Make sure the surface is not electrifying.

Step 4. Remove the battery

This will prevent the possibility of a short circuit on your motherboard during the process. To remove the battery:

1. Use your left thumb to open and hold the left latch holding the battery.
2. Also move and hold the right latch with your right hand.
3. Gently pull the battery out of the laptop with your right hand. Press lightly on the latches on both sides. Newer models may feel "tighter" when removing the battery.

4. 

   Step 5. Remove the cover on the back of the Eee PC that covers the RAM module

   1. If there is a sticker, remove it from the place where it covers the screw.
   2. Loosen all screws completely with a Philips # 0 Jewelry Screwdriver.
   3. Remove the screws and set them aside.
   4. Pry off the front of the cover with your finger and / or fingernail. There must be a special connector for this.
   5. Raise it smoothly until you hear the sound of the latches. Now remove the cover and set it aside.

   6. 

      Step 6. Remove the memory module already present there

      The front of the laptop should be facing you, that is, the empty space behind the memory module should be in the direction away from you. The module is secured with two metal clips on both sides.

      1. With your fingers, open the clamps outward at the same time. There will be a springy feeling when pulled out. When the latches are fully open, the module will be pushed out by the springs and will be at an angle to its previous position.
      2. With the latches open, gently grasp the edge of the memory module and remove it at the angle it is at. Most often this is 15-25 degrees relative to the plane of the laptop.
      3. Set the module aside in a safe, static-free location.

      4. 

         Step 7. Remove the new module from the package

         Most often it is a hard transparent plastic. Gently pull the memory module out of it by pushing down on the plastic side. Avoid the possibility of bending the module or applying force to it.

         

         Step 8. Installing a new module

         Now everything needs to be done in the reverse order.

         1. At the same angle as before, insert the new memory module into the vacant slot on your laptop. Make sure that the module is inserted all the way so that the contacts on the module are not visible or difficult to see. It is worth being gentle and careful here.
         2. Press down on the module to press it against the plane of the laptop. Now you can close the latches back.

         3. 

            Step 9. Make sure your Eee PC recognizes the new memory module

            Before replacing the cover that covers the memory module, it can be helpful to check if the laptop and the operating system recognize the new module.

            1. Reinsert the battery carefully
            2. Turn the laptop over and turn it on.
            3. In Xandros (pre-installed Linux distribution by default) - click on the "Settings" tab.
            4. Next, click on "System info" and check that the "Memory size" column shows "1024MB" (1GB).
            5. For 2GB modules, click on "Diagnostic Tools" in the same place and check the "* RAM Size" column, it should be "2048MB" (2GB).

            6. 

               Step 10. Replace the cover that covers the memory module by slamming it shut and tightening the screws

               If you've installed a 2GB memory module in your Eee PC running Xandros Linux, now is the time to recompile the kernel. This will allow the operating system to use all 2GB of RAM.

               

               Step 11. Let your Xandros operating system use 2GB of memory

               Follow the further instructions in the "Installing a New Kernel" section below.

               Method 1 of 1: Installing a New Kernel

               So, if you have Xandros:

               Step 1. Use "Rescue Mode" in Xandros

               This is a convenient way to boot your Eee PC as root, from the command line you can modify system files. It is imperative to follow up. Step 2. Download a pre-compiled kernel for the custom distribution of your Eee PC, Xandros, which supports 2GB of RAM.

               See the list of sources and citations below for a list of websites where you can find it. Step 3. Save and rename the downloaded file.

               It should be saved in your home directory, which is usually located at / home / user /.

               Give the file a suitable name (i.e. vmlinux-2.6.21.4-eeepc-2GB):

               1. In the "Work" tab, open "File Manager".
               2. Make sure the location "My Home" is selected, now click once on the downloaded file to select it.

               3. Press F2 to rename the file, when finished - ENTER. Step 4. Reboot your Eee PC.

                  This time, you must select Safe Mode to boot. After you see the first screen, press F9 several times, then select "Rescue Mode". Step 5. Enter these commands after the # sign, pressing ENTER after each one.

                  For the following commands, remember the name of the file you renamed:

                  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. Start vi to edit the GRUB boot loader menu to add a boot point for the new kernel.

                  Type the command below and hit Enter after it:

                  vi /mnt-system/boot/grub/menu.lst Step 7. Use vi to add new content.

                  Vi is not as intuitive to use as Notepad, Wordpad, or Word on Microsoft Windows. It is very powerful, multifunctional, but at the same time very difficult to learn. For now, follow the next steps to edit the above file.

                  1. Use the cursor keys to navigate down to the first "Normal Boot" entry. Place the cursor on the first line of this section.
                  2. Copy the section using the following keys. This will copy 5 lines down, starting from where the cursor is: "5" "Y" "Y"
                  3. Move the cursor down to an empty line below this section. Paste the previously copied section using: P

                  4. In a new section line that starts with "kernel" (ie: kernel /boot/vmlinuz-2.6.21.4-eeepc quiet rw vga = 785 irqpoll root = / dev / sda1), change the old kernel name (vmlinuz) to the new one. For example:

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

                     To do this, press "i" To switch vi to input mode, move the cursor to the desired location and enter text. To delete text, use "backspace", just don't use "delete".

                  5. Rename the title of this new section to your liking.
                  6. It is also desirable to change the "fallback", "timeout", and "default" parameters. Each boot record (partition) is numbered in order. The first entry is 0, the second is 1, the third is 2, and so on. Assign the "default" parameter the number of the partition you added (that is, 1), and the "fallback" parameter, the number of the "Normal boot" partition (that is ie 0), and give the "timeout" parameter 5 seconds, or a value of your choice. The "timeout" value is the number of seconds that grub gives you to choose the boot record at boot time, by default the cursor is on the one you selected.
                  7. If you like, you can add a # sign to the beginning of the line labeled "hiddenmenu" so that the boot menu is shown every time you boot. Otherwise, in order to get into this menu, you will need to hold down "f9" while booting the system.
                  8. To exit vi editing mode, and return to command mode, press escape.

                  9. To save the change, press "colon" "w" "q". To exit without saving, press colon "q" "exclamation". Step 8. Reboot your laptop when you return to the command prompt.

                     To do this, press the key combination "control" "d" twice (sometimes three times) to see the message "Press [Enter] to restart", or press until the Eee PC reboots itself. If you have followed all the above points, then by default the operating system will be loaded with a new kernel. Step 9. Test the new kernel When Xandros has loaded the desktop, click on the "Settings" tab and run "System info".

                     The "Memoty Size" column should indicate "2048MB"

                     Advice

                     • The above steps may vary if your Eee PC was preinstalled with Microsoft Windows XP. Open "Start" → "Control Panel" → "System" to check the amount of used RAM.
                     • Upgrading to 2GB is only possible with a recompiled Xandros Linux kernel. The default kernel can only detect 1GB of RAM.
                     • Use the packaging from the new memory module to store the old 512MB module.
                     • When working with electronics, always use an environment where static electricity is not possible or nearly impossible. If possible, use a grounding pad or wrist strap. Otherwise, make sure you are well grounded before touching the memory module.

                     Warnings

                     • Make sure the RAM strip is firmly in place. Otherwise, knocking or bumping the laptop could potentially momentarily knock the memory module out of the socket, which could damage your files and damage the module itself. Even if the latches on the module make the right click, this does not mean that the module is installed correctly.
                     • Do not use brute force. Each step of this process requires gentleness and minimal force.
                     • It will not work on the Eee PC 2G Surf. This is a low-end model and has no memory slot. That is, the memory module is soldered to the motherboard. But you can solder another RAM module if the motherboard supports it. This modification is only suitable for the most stubborn Eee PC owners who wish to do so despite the loss of warranty and serious risk of damage to the device.
                     • Carpets are known to electrify, so be vigilant when doing this on the floor. If you choose this route, then the use of a grounding strap is highly recommended.