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.
Enlarge image 1.
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
October 16th, 2008 at 6:34 am
I tried to use all three memories (256K-512K-1G) one at a time and at one slot at a time. The problem remains. However at the setup every time I see the corresponding memory size. Does this mean that the problem has nothing to do with any of the memories?
To go ahead with the hard drive test, it seems that I need a diskette? But my PC has not floppy drive. Or did I understand wrong?
October 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Tony,
Try installing memory modules one at a time so only one slot is occupied. Try different modules in each memory slot. It’s possible that one of the slots has a damaged pin inside. Take look inside the memory slots, maybe you can see something.
Try cleaning contacts on the memory module with pen eraser, maybe they got oxidized.
Also, run hard drive test. Maybe the hard drive is going bad and it’s just a coincidence that it failed when you replaced memory. Try Hitachi’s drive fitness test. I lined to this utility in “Useful Links” in the right sidebar.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:46 am
One more thing which I guess it is a bit stupid but I will mention. I have taken the battery off because it only lasts 1-2min, but it shouldn’t affect anything. I have it forgotten somewhere else at the moment.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Exactly the same problem when I use the two original memories and at their original slot (at the setup now it shows 640M which makes sense again for 512K+256K).
BTW, when I got the new memory, first thing I did was to change the 512K with the 1GB. I had the same problem and after trying many different things at the startup of Windows at some point I managed to make it work. To be honest I am not sure what I did, that made it work. Then I thought…why should I have the 512 out and not replace the 256. So then I got to the same problem. I am guessing that it can not be the memory after all these…
October 13th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Tony,
Maybe the new 1GB memory module is bad. Did you try removing the 1GB stick and testing the laptop with the original 256MB module?
October 13th, 2008 at 1:36 am
I replaced the 256Mb memory at the bottom with 1GB and I can not start windows (getting the options below). After trying many things, I reformatted and installed Win XP SP2 again and it worked. But the next time I turned it on, I had the same problem. I get the following options when I turn it on:
1) Safe mode (OR safe mode with Networking OR safe mode with command prompt)
2) Last known good configuration (your most recent settings that worked
3) Start windows normally
whatever I try, Windows try to start and they just hang…
In the setup I can see that there is 1408Mb memory which sounds right.
October 12th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Carolyn,
Nope, you will not lose anything. All your data is stored on the hard drive.
This laptop has two memory slots. On on the bottom and the second one under the keyboard.
October 12th, 2008 at 9:54 am
This is a completely novice question but.. If I remove one of the 256 memory modules and replace it with a 1gb will I lose programs or files on my computer? I used the instructions to replace my keyboard btw and it works wonderful. Now I would just like to replace or upgrade the memory but I dont want to do anything until I know I wont mess something up. The instructions seem to indicate that there is an empty slot somewhere? Both of mine have a 256 in them.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Keith,
Make sure the new memory module is installed correctly. Try reseating it.
Also, it’s possible that your new memory module is defective, try installing the old one.
If your laptop works with the old memory module but will not start with the new one, your new module could be bad.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:44 am
After going through a “dry run” of upgrading memory for laptop, the lcd screen stays black. I also noticed that the wireless button does not light up anymore. All of these worked fine prior to walking through the steps. Any suggestions as to what might be going on?
Keith