HomeIn this guide I’ll explain how to remove the keyboard and replace the internal memory module in a HP Compaq nc6400 series laptop.
HP Compaq nc6400 laptop has two memory slots. One of them could be easily accessed from the bottom but the second one is hidden under the keyboard. In order to replace the memory module in the internal slot you’ll have to remove the keyboard.
First of all, turn off the laptop, unplug it from the power adapter and remove the battery.
There are three screws securing the keyboard on the bottom. You can remove these screws with a #8 torx or flathead screwdriver. Remove all three screws.
There are four small latches located in the top row of keys on the keyboard. Unlock all four latches by moving them down with your fingernail.
Now you can lift up the keyboard as it shown on the picture below. Be careful, the keyboard is still attached to the motherboard.
It is possible to remove and replace the memory module in the internal slot WITHOUT disconnecting the keyboard. Carefully slide the keyboard aside and access the memory slot. I show how to disconnect and remove the keyboard only for readers replacing the keyboard.
Place the keyboard upside down on the palm rest. The keyboard is attached to the motherboard via two flat ribbon cables.
You’ll have to unlock both connectors in order to release the cables.
Each connector has a locking tab (one is white and another one is brown) witch has to be moved about 1-2 millimeters up.
Very carefully move both locking tabs up with your fingernails. Release both cables and pull them from the connectors.
Now you can remove the keyboard and replace it with a new keyboard if needed.
On the picture below you can see the hidden memory slot.
Carefully push on two latches pointed with red arrows until the memory module pops up at a 30 degree angle. Pull the memory module from the slot by the edges.
HP Compaq nc6400 laptop is upgradable to 4GB maximum. You can install up to 2GB RAM module into each slot.
Use DDR2 PC2-5300 667MHz SODIMM memory modules.
January 13th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
peili,
I’ve searched HP website for a manual for your laptop and couldn’t find any. If your laptop should have 2 RAM slots, but you can find only one on the bottom, most likely another slot is located under the keyboard.
The keyboard removal steps are the same for most HP Compaq laptops. Check out Compaq and HP laptops category on the right side of the website. I’ve published many guides for different HP laptops in there.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Your website is really very helpful. I have a better idea on accessing the internals of my own laptop.
I have a Presario X1439AP. I should have 2 RAM slots. One of the RAM slots has its own compartment and is directly accessible from outside without dismantling anything. I cannot find the other RAM slot. Is it under the keyboard? How do I get access to this? Any help is much appreciated.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Matt,
Thank you, I fixed the picture.
November 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am
This was helpful. One minor change. In the first picture you list the keyboard screws, well the rightmost screw is not correct. The circle should be around the one directly left of the one you got circled.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Emery Jordan,
You don’t have to configure the BIOS. The memory stick should be detected automatically.
Make sure the new memory module is seated properly, all the way down into the memory slot. Try reconnecting the memory module.
Also, try installing the original 512MB back and booting the laptop. It’s possible the new memory module is defective.
Most likely it’s just not seated correctly.
November 19th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Your information is clearer then the official site for HP on this issue. However, when I inserted a 1 GB stick (having replaced a 512MB stick of the same speed 5300), nothing happened when I turned the machine on–no booting up nothing.
Got any Ideas as to what happened or did not happened. I am supposed to configure the upgrade in the bios?
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:20 am
yeah thank you– a little tricky, this helped loads
October 27th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Thank you for this information. Without this information, I don’t think I’d have been able to upgrade the memory successfully.