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
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April 24th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
For anyone haveing problems with blue screen or page file issues after upgrading your memory, confirm you page file parameters are set properly. If the page file parameters are set manually and are to small to support the installed memory, you will have issues. The minimum size for your page file must be at least a large as the installed memory in MB.
April 21st, 2010 at 7:58 am
Thanks for adding pictures. I have a little bit of CAPD so the pictures made the entire installation a breeze!
Best regards,
Ammy
Miami, Florida
April 8th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Awesome directions. I replaced my 256mg memory card with a new 1gb card and it does not work. Had to reinstall the 256 card. My HP Pavilion zv5000 laptop is supposed to support 2 1gb memory cards. I replaced the original 256 card.
Any ideas why the 1gb would not work? Don’t know if I can return it. Thanks.
April 8th, 2010 at 9:14 am
Bodo,
I don’t know exactly why the laptop will not work properly with two 1GB modules installed, even though it should support up to 2GB according the specifications.
It’s possible there is some kind of compatibility issue between the memory brand and motherboard.
I would probably try different memory brand.
April 8th, 2010 at 3:43 am
Hi,
i have a zv5000, too.
After replacing the two 256MB-modules with two 1GB-modules (DDR333U, 64M*8, SO-DIMM, PC2700) i have many diffrent problems. My notebook:
- is booting and hangin up with a bluescreen (page_fault_in_nonpaged_area) or
- does not boot, display is black and the fans are running very loud, or
- can boot in safe mode (sometimes) and hangs up after a few minutes (noting is possible any more, the fans are running, you can only switch it off), or
- is booting normally, you work some minutes and then it hangs up
I did:
- flash the bios (now version F.35)
- check the modules on another system with memtest (no errors)
- try a repair-installation of XP (fixmbr etc.)
- check the HDD (no errors)
- check the HDD for viruses
It does not work.
BUT:
If i leave only one of the new modules in the notebook (slot 0 or 1) it works without any problems. I also can combine a new 1GB module and 1 old 256MB module, this is working, too.
What can i do?
@ GUS:
You’re right, it’s fast…
April 7th, 2010 at 10:37 am
Great instructions that I was able to follow easily. Weird though, that I tried to upgrade the easy-access slot with a 1gb chip and got the blue-screen-of-death. I added the same chip under the keyboard and it worked perfectly. go figure……but you have far more info than HP is willing to provide,so that goes to show small>big.
March 20th, 2010 at 11:40 am
Thank you for all of your help. Unfortunately after about 6 years of having the laptop, my motherboard is having issues and its time to find a new laptop. Hope I find a guide to changing memory as useful for the new laptop as I did for the HP ZV5000.
March 1st, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Guys i cant believe how easy this was….i was ready to throw this laptop away…and pooof.. 2GB of Ram and this puppy is brand new…faster then my desktop.. be sure you buy the right ram
1GB SODIMM PC2700 DDR333 (mine was a generic non registered with size of 64×8 CL 2.5 unbuffered and non ECC)
Good Luck
February 8th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Arne,
You can replace RAM in one slot.
That’s strange! Looks like HP Pavilion zv series not mentioned at all!
Use Kingston: http://www.kingston.com
February 8th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
Is it advisable to replace RAM in BOTH slots rather than in just one or the other slot?
I have an HP Pavilion zv5000 laptop.
Oh yeah,how come I couldn’t find MY computer on crucial.com?
Thanks!
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:46 am
Hi,
I have some problems.
I installed 1 gb (corsair) at each module at zv5000.
My laptop recognized and booted first time.
I think installation was fine.
But it’s freezeed and not boot again., even in safe mode.
Some messages are on blue screen that bios update and cashing, ~~~
I don’t understand.(???)
What can I do?
January 29th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hello,
I tried doing this upgrade after upgrading to Windows XP SP3, and my computer won’t boot after I installed 2GB of RAM. It will run with 1GB in either slot, and Ive tested both DIMMS, so I know it’s not the RAM. My BIOS shows 2048MB of RAM, but no matter what I can’t get windows to boot. Can anyone think of a reason why??? Thanks.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:55 pm
hello, i have an hp pavilion zv5000..can you please give me an idea what are the upgrades i could do with it…memory, os, hardrive, ..etc..
thank you very much guys…God bless!
January 5th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
btw your not supposed to hold any chips (wireless card, ram, motherboard, graphics, anything that complies with computers) the oil on your fingers will ruin it.
January 4th, 2010 at 5:55 pm
This was great. I finished the upgrade to 2GB in under 15 minutes. The Laptop is running great with Windows 7.
December 21st, 2009 at 6:33 pm
Thank you SO MUCH. The photos were invaluable! Much better than what I found on the HP site!
-David
December 21st, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Lab,
Check the BIOS version installed on your laptop and find out if there is a newer version available on the HP website.
Maybe you should try updating the BIOS? Just a guess.
December 16th, 2009 at 4:55 pm
I have a problem, Installation went well. PNY PC2700 333mhz 1 gig sticks Match pair MN1024SD1-333
I have swapped them to each slot and the laptop boots up showing only 1gig of ram.
Do you know whats going on with this? I removed 2 256 MB sticks from the machine. Those show up as 512, well little less since it is shared with video card.
Email me or post here please.
im kinda upset that i paid $40.00 for each stick and can only use one.
My laptop is a zv5000. This model has the adjustable video memory for a ATI video card up to 128MB.
Thanks: Lab
December 3rd, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Hi,thanks for your guide..
I’ve a problem with mi HP ZV5000…I can’t identify the position of CMOS battery..Reading in other guide I supposed to be under the keyboard..but….where?Please help me!
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:57 am
PLEASE HELP ME SOLVE A UNIQUE PROBLEM
I have a serious problem with my hp pavilion zv5000. a few weeks ago i set it on standby mode while it was downloading some stuff by utorrent and i went to sleep.that night there was a thunder strom and very massive lightining.in the morning when i saw my laptop it was off.when i turned it on ,it started normally,after using a few minutes, i came to know that it is muted when i increased its volume from the volume icon it automatically became muted.not only this when i opened any window or page ,it was automatically closed if it was maximaized.another problem which occured was mouse pointer became hanged, inspite of moving finger on the trackpad it did not move, but the pointer automatically moved to start menu open several programs from there.this problem is persistant till now.i have installed several antiviruses but no one detected any virus.i formated the whole hard drive but i can`t get rid of this problem……….
PLEASE HELP ME OUT……….
November 17th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
GRaciassssssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 9:44 am
thanks for these directions with pictures! worked perfectly.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
Bought two 1GB modules from Newegg. Followed these directions and worked great the first time. For my wife’s zv5000. Thanks.
October 13th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
when i installed my corsair 1GB on my zv5000 i got blue screen and at bios show me teh max of memory i have and its 512mb and i have 1gb+256mb installed, can someone help me pl0x ?
October 12th, 2009 at 9:29 am
HELP! I have a zv5410 (which worked fine, just a little slow) and I tried upgrading to a 1GB module. I tried it in both slots, with and without one of the OEM 256MB’s in the other slot and it will not completely boot up. After one of the first attempts, I put both original 256’s back in and it worked just as before. But now, after trying the GB module again, the system only comes on with a black screen with various “safe mode” options. Nothing I do will get it past that screen. Has anybody seen this and/or no how to fix it?
October 10th, 2009 at 10:25 am
The instructions worked fine but unfortunately my laptop won’t take the 1GB stick of ram if placed under the keyboard. If placed there the screen stays black when the computer is turned on. It works when placed in the “upgrade slot” under the computer but the computer doess seem to get somewhat unstable (blue screens). Not entirely suitable for upgrades I’m afraid.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
neil,
Could be memory related problem. Do you have two memory modules installed in your laptop?
Try removing memory modules one at a time. Test the laptop with each memory module separately. If one of the modules is bad, the laptop should work fine with another module.
If you have only one memory module installed, try replacing it with a known good module.
September 19th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
I am having some problems with my zv5000 first everytime i load something to it , it will jus crash, i now change the hard drive the Operating system load alright but now it is unable to boot i am getting black screen. What do i do? neil
September 10th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Ken,
Did you replace memory in the internal slot? Most likely you accidentally pulled the keyboard cable from the connector. Try reconnecting the cable.
September 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Ben,
Not sure what your question is. Are you asking for help with replacing the inverter board? In one of the previous posts I published a guide for HP Pavilion dv2000 notebook. It has step-by-step inverter removal instructions. Does it help?