How to Install RAM on a Sony Vaio Laptop

The RAM in Sony Vaio laptops is located beneath the keyboard.

Random access memory is crucial to your computer's overall performance. Insufficient RAM can cause your Sony Vaio to run slow. Upgrading RAM is among the fastest ways to boost your computer's performance. The amount of RAM each Sony Vaio can handle varies. Vaio laptops can handle anywhere from 512 megabytes to 4 gigabytes of RAM. The limit largely depends on laptop model and design.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-head screwdriver

1. Shut down your laptop and disconnect the AC adapter. Close the LCD screen, and flip the laptop over. Position the laptop so the front opening is facing upward. Locate your battery. It will either be located in the upper left or right corner depending on your laptop. Press on the battery's release button, and then lift the battery out of its compartment. Let your computer cool down for about 20 minutes.

2. Flip the laptop over and open it. Determine how the laptop bezel is attached to the laptop. The bezel is a thin strip of plastic situated just above the top row of keyboard keys. If there are any retaining Phillips-head screws on either side of the laptop, the bezel will slide off. If not, you will have to gently pry it off with a flat-head screwdriver.

3. Remove the Phillips-head screws from behind the keyboard's top row of keys. Grasp the top edge of the keyboard, lift it out of its compartment slightly. Do not try to remove the keyboard. It is still connected to the motherboard by a delicate ribbon cable. Place the keyboard face down over the trackpad.

4. Locate the RAM inside the keyboard compartment. It will either be located in the upper-left, or right corner of the keyboard compartment. Spread the white latches on either side of the RAM. Tilt the RAM at an angle and then slide it out of its compartment.

5. Tilt the replacement RAM at an angle and align the notches on the RAM with the notches inside the empty compartment. Push the RAM inside the compartment until the latches snap the RAM into place. Repeat this step for each RAM module installed.

6. Replace the keyboard and its retaining screws. Replace the keyboard bezel, and any retaining screws, as necessary.

7. Re-attach the battery and reconnect the AC power adapter.

Tips & Warnings

• Most Vaio laptops have two memory slots, though older Vaio laptops have a single slot for RAM. If your laptop has two memory slots, you can upgrade by leaving the original RAM module in and adding a second one.

References

• Hardware Secrets: Upgrade Your Notebook Memory
• Divided By 0: How to upgrade a Sony VAIO PCG-F280
• DougPile: Upgrading the Sony Vaio PCG-Z505

Resources

• Sony Vaio Laptops
• Memory Ten