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This guide explains how to access both RAM sockets and replace memory in a Dell Latitude D630 laptop. This set of instructions is very similar to the memory upgrade tutorial I just posted for a Latitude D610 laptop.
How much memory can you install into a Dell Latitude D630?
According to the Dell specifications this laptop will take up to 8GB RAM total. You can install up to 4GB RAM into each socket. 4GB RAM modules are not available at the time of writing this post. At this time you can install maximum 2GB module into each socket. I was wrong, I found a 4GB RAM module made by Kingston (part number: KTT667D2/4G) but it’s only $395. LOL.
There are two sockets in this computer available for memory upgrades.
Socket B can be accessed through the hatch on the bottom.
Socket A is hidden under the keyboard. Yes, you’ll have to remove the keyboard in order to access this socket.
What memory type should you use?
You should use DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) SODIMM modules for notebook computers.
Can you install different size RAM modules into the laptop?
Yes, you can. For example, you can have a 1GB module in the socket A and install a 2GB module into the socket B. Your laptop will see 3GB total.
But if you want your memory to operate in dual-channel mode (better performance), you’ll have to install identical size and type memory modules into both sockets.
Static electricity can kill your laptop. I recommend wearing an anti-static wrist strap while working with internal parts of your laptop.
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November 13th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Just a small error in your details regarding the DEll Latitude D630. You can install a maximum of 4 gig and not 8 gig RAM as stated. Also for some peculiar reason the Dell machine decides to take 0.5 gig itself which means your machine will only show 3.5 gig actually available as RAM. This is based on the 4 gig RAM being installed.
November 13th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Sudhir Singh,
It says in the official user’s guide that Dell Latitude D630 is 8GB capable.
I believe it’s not your Dell laptop limitations, it’s Vista 32bit OS limitations. Even if your laptop can see 4GB RAM in the BIOS, Vista cannot handle it properly.
Check out this article about Vista OS and 4GB RAM published on Microsoft Help and Support site.
November 29th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Directions were right on the money. I put two new 2GB sticks in my D630 without problem. Like Laptop Tech said, it only show 3.5GB actually available. I picked up the ram cheap from micron, definitely worth the 5 minutes it took to install.
Thanks again for the great instructions.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Can somebody please give a definitive answer on this based on experience. Has anyone been successful in installing 8GB of RAM into a D630 and then had that 8GB recognized by an operating system such as XP 64 bit or Vista 64 bit.
I am planning such an upgrade and would appreciate your experience stating either that this does or does not work. Thank you everyone.
January 5th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Thanks for the post. I just order 2x – 2GB memory for my system and I thought I should see where the modules are located. Your step by step helps a lot thank you!
– Samson
March 11th, 2009 at 11:44 am
For clarity:
WinXP and WinVista 32-Bit can only address 4GB of memory total. So if you laptop has 4GB installed and your on-board video card is using say 128MB, then windows will only see the difference. The limitation is in the OS, not the laptop.
WinXP 64-Bit can address 16GB RAM.
WinVista 64-Bit can address as follows:
Home Basic: 8GB
Home Premium: 16GB
Utimate: 128GB
Business: 128GB
Enterprise: 128GB
So if you put 4GB in 64-Bit Vista, the OS will see all of it regardless of how much video memory you have.
March 13th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
thanks for all ,my question is where can i found the eprom of this laptop d630 , i want the serie number or location of this eeprom, plaise help me to remove password in this laptop
March 17th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
To answer JohnBs question. I have successfully installed 8GB of RAM in a D630 and have Windows Vista Ultimate 64 running on it like a top. I use it for VMWware Workstation testing. Just flash the BIOS the latest version before putting the memory in. Hope that helps!
May 24th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
I put in 2x 4GB RAM sticks in a D630 running Ubuntu Linux 64 bit and it recognizes all of it. So it is possible. I am not sure about Windows but if it is 64 bit Windows I would guess it would recognize it too.
May 24th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Gary,
You are correct. It’s limitation of Windows OS.
June 13th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Based on experience, here’s the deal on PC ram memory in summary,
1) Windows 32 bit can address a max of 3.5 GB (approx) due to the operating syst’s addressing
limitation. It may show 8 gb, but cannot access it.
2) Windows 64 bit can see up to 8 GB and beyond.
Bottom line is:
Ram memory over 3.5 GB is overkill unless you are running some really big applications.
Comments?
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 am
Yep, overkill unless you need it and have the OS to address it. For the current £/GB you’ve got to really want/need it. I’ve just put 8GB in my D630, formatted to Vista64, and it works like a charm (I have a need to run some throwaway VM’s so 8GB really helps) but at £230 it’s way more than the £40 that would have got me 4GB.
My only gotcha was a lack of touchpad driver from Dell for Vista64 (and I *really* like the scrolly up and down at the side of the touchpad) but a quick search and the drivers for the D830 restored this functionality.
Now to persuade the boss for a bigger, faster hard disk
July 28th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Anyone know how much memory Windows 7 will need to run well? I have 2 GB memory on my D630 running Vista Business and i already find that quite slow at times
August 27th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Windows 7 runs faster than Vista. Where vista is very sluggish on 1 gig windows 7 is acceptable. 2gig is what I run with it and I even run a VM on top of that sometimes and it’s still ok.
August 28th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Great instructions, thanks a million!
November 6th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Not sure if the 2GB memory I just bought is bad… but my Dell Latitude D630 would not boot after installing it in slot B.
Do I have to do anything special to the bios before installing the new memory?
Thanks in advance,