HomeHere are excellent instructions for upgrading memory on HP Pavilion zv5000 series laptops in seven relatively easy steps. I found links to the disassembly pictures while reading comments on Ask Laptop Freak site and decided to compile them into a guide. Upgrading memory on this laptop could be tricky because one of the memory expansion slots is located under the keyboard. According to HP specifications for zv5000 you can install 2 memory modules up to 1GB each. You should use PC2700 333MHz memory modules.
STEP 1.
First of all, you can add one memory module into the expansion slot on the bottom of the laptop.
STEP 2.
Remove seven screws pointed with red arrows.
STEP 3.
Carefully lift up the keyboard cover. You’ll have play with the cover in order to release plastic latches.
Enlarge image 3.
STEP 4.
Remove four screws securing the keyboard.
STEP 5.
Carefully lift up the keyboard. You don’t have to disconnect the keyboard from the motherboard in order to access the memory expansion slot. Just turn the keyboard over and place it upside down on the palm rest.
Enlarge image 5.
STEP 6.
Here’s the memory slot you are looking for.
Enlarge image 6.
STEP 7.
Spread latches on both sides of the memory module and remove the old 256MB module and install a new one.
HP Pavilion zv5000 laptops will not take more then 2GB (1GB module in each slot).
Enlarge image 7.
UPDATE: HP Pavilion zv5000 LCD removal and backlight replacement instructions
May 18th, 2009 at 9:35 am
will this make my computer run faster ??
even though my 60gig hd i only have 1 gig left of space ??
April 19th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
csm,
If the s-video out works, the video card operates properly and it’s not necessary to replace it.
Test the VGA output again. Turn off the laptop, plug in the monitor and start the laptop. If the external monitor is not detected automatically, try switching video from the internal to external modes using Fn+F4 keys. Hold down the Fn key and at the same time press on F4 key.
April 18th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Hi
Which processor can I put in the laptop? Now there is a 3200+ but I dont know if it´s clawhammer oder newark so I am unsure to buy 3700+ or 4000+. What´s the maximum I can go up to?
Anybody any ideas?
THx
April 13th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Guys,
My zv6115ea got a knock and broke the screen.
while checking it out prior to sourcing a new panel i could only get the s-video out to work.Nothing from the external vga.
I heard someone say the internal video crd can come loose,how do i get at it and can it be replaced if ness?
Thanks
April 12th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
…and it worked like a dream. Awesome!
April 12th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Thanks a lot for the instructions and pictures to go - extremely helpful for my old zx5000. Now let’s fire up this baby and see how she’ll perform…
April 7th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I’m sorry. I transposed two numbers on my model number. It is a zv5260us. The maximum memory for it is 1,280MB. The 256 MB under the keyboard and 1,024MB under the bottom panel.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Be careful about putting more memory in your machine. If you go to the manufacturers website they MUST provide the specifications to your model. Look and see how much memory it CAN have in it to run and which specific type of memory is important. They also run at different speeds. I recently upgraded my zv5620us Notebook with 1GB 2700 333Mhz of RAM. The only RAM that should be upgradeable is inside the panel on the back of the zv5000. The one under the keyboard is only replaceable with the exact same type. BE VERY CAREFUL WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR MACHINE OR IT WILL NOT WORK and you will have thrown away a whole lot of money because nobody takes returns on electronics anymore.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Rich Bingham,
You can use a hard drive imaging software. I’m using Norton Ghost 2003.
You install this software on your old hard drive. Run the program, create an image of the drive and burn it on CDs or DVDs. After that you replace the hard drive and boot from CDs/DVDs you created with Norton Ghost. Reimage the new hard drive, restart the laptop and you are ready to use it. That would be the easiest way.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I have a zv6000 with a 40gig hard drive and want to upgrade to a bigger hard drive -
What is the easiest way to copy the old one to a new one???
Is there a jig that I can plug into the hard drive slot with 2 slots so I can plug in both hard drives to copy the old to the new?
(back in 70-80’s days of being a bench tech fixing TV’s I had sets like that for modules going into a motherboard)
Thanks for the great tutorial on changing the hidden memory! - I just ordered another 1g to replace the 256 in that slot.
March 29th, 2009 at 8:22 am
In my field I re-write instruction manuals for users so they make sense. The step by step with the clear pictures (showing the screen flat is a gem)along with the clear written instructions are an example of how things should be done.
Thank you for great work.
March 20th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Great, easy way to learn, I cant upgrade this hidden memory in my computer.
March 16th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
This was a great help for me. Thank you for the posting and for the pictures. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. I believe your pictures are worth my girlfriend happiness. I just replaced her RAM. I get the credit though.
March 8th, 2009 at 2:46 am
just followed you instructions for upgrading ram on a hp pavillion 5000. so easyy to do. 15 mins in total.now running 2g. keep up the great work. going to try hard drive next.
March 7th, 2009 at 11:18 am
Graeme,
If the CMOS battery is soldered to the motherboard, it will look like one on the picture 3 here:
CMOS battery also know as RTC battery
You can solder a new battery, but you’ll have to find a replacement first. Unfortunately, HP doesn’t list this part separately. I don’t know where they sell new CMOS batteries like that. Please let me find if you can find it.
March 7th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I’m having problems with my HP NX9105 (same as a zv5000 inside) It’s losing it’s time and date settings so I’m assuming it’s the cmos battery. As someone else has mentioned though, it’s soldered to the motherboard - at least what I THINK is the cmos battery is soldered to the board! I’ve got the machine pretty much stripped into tiny pieces and what I think is the battery is a small silver disc (just slightly larger than a shirt button (half the size of a Cr2032)
It’s just to the left of the ribbon cable socket for the keyboard - looking from above the machine.
Could someone please confirm that I’ve located the right component and possibly advise a suitable replacement? It looks as if the tags could be cut but I’d need to now correct voltage and polarity for a replacement. I reckon I could run a couple of wires from something like a Cr2032 located where there is a bit more space.
Any ideas folks?
March 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Thank you for this. My laptop went dead and it turned out if was faulty memory under the keyboard. Replacing the memory fixed the problem. I really appreciate your help.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:28 am
BRAVO!
Finally a website which gives clear instruction how to change memory with easy understanding pictures.
That’s the way it should always be…
It was simple to change the memory that somthing I’m not used to do.
Keep on doing great job like that!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:22 am
sorry i meant that the original cmos battery wich is now in the motherb is smaller in size than the CR2032, wich i was told is the one needed to replace the old one, i think that is wrong cause it does not look like the original at compared to the size, probably the voltage is the same wich is 3 volt, any help is vert appreciated
February 20th, 2009 at 10:19 am
Can anyone here help me out to find the cmos(rtc) battery for an hp pavillion zv 5000? i meant where can i buy one like that ?
CR2032 looks to be compared with the original in the motherboard, any help is very appreciated
Thanks a lot
February 15th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Hi Laptop Tech, your tutorial is ok but unfortunately I ve got problem with memory. my Pc doesn’t see any of them. I ve tested a module at once with no results - it always says: 256 MB. At lest thanks to you I was able to open it and put enverything back again so I m stll using the original ones - the ones that work. I’m really disappointed by the seller. That’s the product I ve bought DC890B 1GB PC2700 SODIMM HP - I’m not an expert but it seems to me it should be o.k. Bye.
February 4th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Thanks a lot!
That’s all I needed answered
Zv6130 is a great NB (apart from the slack Chipset/Video gart controller). All it needs to work properly is a memory upgrade (A sata HDD would be great too… but that’s another whole story)
Thanks againg