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In this post I explain how to replace or upgrade memory (aka RAM) in a Dell Latitude D830 notebook. Also, these instructions should work for a Dell Latitude D820 notebooks and maybe some other models. Please mention you notebook model in the comments if this guide works for you.
You can check the amount of installed memory in the BIOS setup menu. As you see, in my laptop I have 1024MB (or 1GB) memory installed.
Dell Latitude D830 notebook requires DDR2 memory modules. You should use PC2-5300 SODIMM memory which runs at 667MHz.You can use same memory type for a Latitude D820 notebook too.
Dell Latitude D820/D830 can take up to 4GB memory total. You can install up to 2GB memory in each slot (there are two slots available).
Now the tricky part.
If you remove the memory slot cover from the bottom of the notebook, you’ll find only one slot – DIMM B. Where’s the first slot – DIMM A?
It’s hidden under the keyboard. Yep, in order to access the first memory slot we’ll have to remove the keyboard.
Before you start, please turn off the laptop, unplug the AC power adapter and remove the battery.
STEP 1.
Lift up one side of the keyboard cover with a small flat head screwdriver.
STEP 2.
Remove the keyboard cover.
STEP 3.
Remove three screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 4.
Lift up the keyboard and placed it on the display panel or palm rest, so you can access the memory slot A. Be careful, the keyboard is attached to the motherboard via a flat ribbon cable. Are you replacing the keyboard? You can get a new one here.
STEP 5.
The memory slot A is located just above the touch pad buttons.
In order to remove the existing memory module carefully spread latches on both sides of the memory slot.
The memory module will pop up at a 30 degree angle.
Pull the memory module from the slot A by the edges.
The slot DIMM A is empty and you can install a new RAM module in there.
In this notebook memory can run in dual-channel mode which doubles the amount of available memory bandwidth and improves the notebook performance.
In order to run your notebook dual-channel mode you must have two identical memory modules in slots A and B.
For example, if you have a 1GB module installed into the slot A, you have to install an identical 1GB module into the slot B. In this case the total amount of memory installed into the notebook will be 2GB and will run in dual-channel mode.
Here’s another example. You have a 1GB module in the slot A and install a 2GB module into the slot B. In this case the total amount of memory installed into the notebook will be 3GB but it will run in regular mode, not dual-channel mode.
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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April 26th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Thank you!
Your instructions help a lot. I just ordered 4GB memory kit for my laptop.
April 27th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
[...] just added detailed instruction for updating RAM in a Dell Latitude D830 which is very similar to Latitude D820. [...]
May 15th, 2009 at 1:35 am
Excellent and very helpful guide. I recently bought two memory modules – when I opened the slot at the rear of my laptop I was confronted by only one memory slot and wondered what on earth to do with my second memory module! Now I know – thank you!
May 18th, 2009 at 10:33 am
I have a Dell latitude d610 It doesn´t work, I bought the AC power adapter for It , but the jack have 5 holes I wasnt to know, where can I see whas kind of plug need my laptop or how can I replace the jack
Thank you
July 6th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I followed directions and replaced 2-1GB Memory modules with 2-2GB Crucial Kit on my Dell Latitude D810 [4GB max]. Upon startup, I received a message recognizing a change to memory but also stating to reseat memory. After about 30 seconds of nothing more, another message popped up with options to enter Setup or onboard diagnostics. I opted for Setup. Bios recognized only one of the 2 modules so I reseated both. My system recognizes B module but reports A is empty. Any ideas on how to mitigate? I’m thinking I will swap modules and clean contacts on modules and if this results in “B is empty”, then I might have a bad module. How do I get back to onboard diagnositcs or otherwise check for a bad module?
July 6th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
RON LUCERO,
That’s exactly what you should do.
Swap memory modules. Test both memory modules in both slots. If the same module fails in both slots, apparently the module is bad.
July 7th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Many thanks……it turns out that module in A was not snapped into place properly [despite deliberate 'snapping' into place the first time]. Now, system reports 4GB RAM but unfortunately only 3GB is functional because of reserves. I ran the free tests offered by PC Pitstop and it reports [as before] that RAM is not as fast as its “peers” in Pitstop’s database. I was hoping for some improvement, but background software and/or hardware configuration must be the culprits – my next endeavor.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
According to Dell, A 64bit operating system is required to utilize 4GB of RAM or more. A 32bit operating system with Latitude D830 will recognize 3-3.8GB
August 4th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
thanks for the step by step. BTW, its a horrible way to get to slot A …left a couple dents at the edge!
Once upgraded it only show 3.49GB .. Windows XP SP3 .. is that normal?
August 6th, 2009 at 3:26 am
Thank you so much ! It took me less than 5 minutes thanks to you !
August 29th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Awesome! Thanks so much
This worked perfectly on my Latitude D810. Thanks for this very helpful post.
September 7th, 2009 at 5:49 am
J. Taylor: thats normal with 32-bit operating systems.
they can only adress 4GB of memory (this includes your videocard memory and all other internal memory too)
you can solve this by using a 64-bit OS
September 29th, 2009 at 11:34 am
The Intel Core 2 Duo T7300 processor in my Dell Latitude D830 is very fast.
Here is a discussion of the performance: http://bit.ly/1UbiZb
October 1st, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Mahalo, you just saved me so much money, I do have to let the geeks do it…
October 15th, 2009 at 10:21 am
Thanks a lot! These instructions work perfectly for a Latitude 620 as well.
November 1st, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Apparently D830 supports 8gb ram with latest bios update, and 6gb without update (2+4gb). Might be true for other models with same intel chipset.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
many thanks. upgrading my d820 was much less painful than my first thoughts. can’t say as i agree with putting dimm a under the keyboard; what a pain to get at!!
November 15th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
Thanks for this info, it was very helpful and i managed to install my 2 x 2GB memory modules without breaking the computer or damaging it.
Just a question about the dual channels, does it matter if i install 1 module 2GB Samsumg and 1 module 2GB Hynix?
November 15th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
viosabio,
I believe they recommend installing the same brand in both slots, but if you have two identical modules (size and speed), you should be fine.