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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.
May 4th, 2012 at 7:48 am
I’ve installed 2x 2Gb DDR2 PC2-6400, 800MHz memory in my Dell D830 Latitude and it works fine. This laptop is running Windows 7.
thanks for the advice!
March 29th, 2012 at 2:05 am
Excellent advice, under the keyboard is the last place I would have thought to look for the 2nd module
December 28th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
@ Johnny Bob,
According to Dell this model will take 4GB RAM max. I mentioned that in the post.
Latitude D830 specs says it’s DDR 2 667MHz Memory. Can it run at 800MHz, not sure. Just buy PC-6400 if in doubt.
December 28th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
Thanks for the helpful tutorial and discussion.
I managed to get my D830 taken apart and put back together without breaking anything. I didn’t know what I was doing *before* I had read your tutorial and took out the hard drive by mistake. No harm done except for a few heart palpitations. When I booted up thereafter it warned that my date and time might be incorrect and asked to run Setup or a Diagnostic. I didn’t have any idea which to select, but tried the Diagnostic then aborted because it was taking too long. I then did the bootup without running Setup, and all seems OK except the calendar date and time were wrong – easy to reset from within Windows.
I note that Dell recommends in its D830 Service Manual, as does the Crucial instructional video, that after removing the battery you press the power button to ground the motherboard before doing any work inside. I didn’t notice this fact mentioned above.
Some comments above about using more than 4G RAM (such as 8G) would only apply to a 64-bit op system. If I understand correctly a 32-bit op system cannot recognize more than 3-3.5G RAM. As for whether a 64-bit D830 could really accept and use 8G RAM seems unclear.
I chatted with a Crucial tech who said using PC2-6400 800 MHz rather than PC2-5300 667 MHz RAM would improve performance, contrary to your comment above that it will only run at 667 MHz maximum even if 800 MHz RAM is installed. Which is correct? That may determine how I decide to upgrade. I currently have 2G PC2-5300 and could buy another stick of the same kind. Alternately I could buy two sticks of 2G PC2-6400 to get the 800 MHz speed – if it really works that way(?).
Happy Holidays!
December 3rd, 2011 at 1:32 pm
Thanks for the guide. Wouldn’t have found the DIMM A slot without it.
November 20th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Thanks for the pics. Worked fine.
Regards, Marc
November 19th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
thank you so much,
Very helpful with pics and instruction,
October 29th, 2011 at 4:28 pm
Great DIYjob!!!
Very helpful. Love the graphics/pictures!
October 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am
@ tony,
Reinstalling OS shouldn’t affect memory at all.
Check out the BIOS settings. Can you see memory in there?
Did you have same XP installed before?
October 27th, 2011 at 9:31 am
recently re-installed windows XP and now my Dell D830 is not recognising the crucial 2MB ram I nstalled. Any ideas?