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.
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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.
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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.
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STEP 6.
Here’s the memory slot you are looking for.
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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
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.