I’ll post more details after I get a chance to use it more, but basically, I got a new tablet PC for work. It’s a Toshiba Portege M700. This model was just released a few months ago. I ordered mine custom-built at the end of December and it finally arrived this week.
Why I’m writing now, though, is that when building your laptop online, you have several memory options. 1 GB is standard. 2GB will cost you an extra $100. 4GB will cost you an extra $550. Rather than pay Toshiba for the RAM, I ordered the machine with the standard 1 GB and then ordered 2×2GB sticks (4GB total) from NewEgg for $88. What a bargain!
However, yesterday when I went to install my 2 new memory sticks, I found that there was only 1 slot in the bottom. I did some online research to find that the 2nd memory slot is "hidden" under the keyboard and requires a bit of disassembly to get to. However, on many forums I visited, there were several people looking for a ‘how to’ guide to finding this "hidden" slot and install RAM.
Fearless as I am, I proceeded to find this "hidden" slot and took pictures along the way. So, for those looking for a guide, here ya go:
1. Here is the keyboard. Look over on the left-hand side under the left CTRL key and you’ll see a little notch cut out of the plastic.
2. Using your fingernail or a small screwdriver, very gently pry up the corner to release the plastic clips. Proceed to carefully remove this strip of plastic from the machine. I found it easiest to pull the plastic toward the keyboard rather than straight up, as I perceived the plastic to be quite fragile and easily broken. So, again, do this slowly and carefully.
3. Removing this plastic molding reveals two small screws. Remove these to release the keyboard. Slide the keyboard toward the hand-rest about 1/4" (freeing the tabs just above the function keys), then pivot the keyboard toward you.
4. With the keyboard up, you’ll see the door under which lives the ‘primary’ memory slot.
5. Unscrew the two screws, open the door, then follow the instructions in the official Resource Guide for removing and installing your memory.
6. That’s it. Just reverse the instructions for putting it all back together.
Can confirm this method, although mine had a little catch at the very center of the keyboard that needed to be released prior to raising the base of the keyboard slightly to allow sliding out of the upper most catches above the function keys.
Thanking you soooo much
I posted pics on Flickr with my attempt at getting pics before declaring it a no go
n now it’s piece of cake.
Sweet! What memory sticks did you buy?
I got these from NewEgg -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134578
Great job, thanks for posting this tip.
Thnx. If and when I get my PC I will need your instructions, I book marked your page. Do you know anything about the turbo memory. 1GB Turbo memory from toshiba is sold only with 2GB of memory purchase. Is it worth having Turbo memory.
Do I have to unplug the battery, memory, hard drive, etc. thanx I love learning
I would play it safe and at a minimum unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery.
Excellent! Thank you so much! I was on the same page as you and got 4GB from newegg only to be confused as all get-out when I opened up the back of the laptop only to find that little sheet of black paper. Many many thanks!
Thanks for this post. I made the same discovery when trying to install the 4GB I bought (also at Newegg!) and when I called the Toshiba support line they told me opening the keyboard would void the warranty and that I had to have the memory installed at an authorized service center! This seemed really strange to me AND pissed me off as the nearest one is 35 miles from where I live and when I called them they said they charge $35 to put it in. I decided to look for some clues online before attempting it myself and found your post. Very helpful, thanks. I wanted to have the additional memory installed when I give this tablet to my daughter in a few days as a graduation gift. You’re a life saver, thanks again!
I followed your instructions and successfully installed 2ea KTT667D2/2G RAM chips(for a total of 4GB of RAM) in our computers. Right On!
I also booted up this Toshiba Portege M700-S7004X to Ubuntu 8.04 (Linux) and everything except sound worked right away(including the webcam on Ekiga).
Thanks for the awesome posting!!
Shannon VanWagner
http://healthysystem.blogspot.com
hi,
i accidentally pulled the keyboard’s ribbon cable out of it’s socket while doing this. any advice on how to put that back together?
thanks,
I’d have to take mine apart again to see how that fits, and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that.
But if the cable just came out of the socket, will it not just plug back in?