thinkpad t42 memory install

[lhuber]

hey everyone.. i bought a thinkpad 2378FVU with 256mb ram, and i bought my own 1gb sodimm for 250 bucks at oempcworld.com..

i know *how* to install ram.. but i opened it up and was about to stick it in the connection.. and it seemed really hard to push in.. like i know its the right chip and all.. but i dont know how much is the right amount of pressure to apply.. it seemed like i needed to push really hard.. but i done want to break the chip or damage the connection...

so could someone give me step by step instructions on how to do this..
am i supposed to push it all the way in at a 20 degree angle... and then tilt it down flat? what the ?? !! hahah.. im afraid to damage my $250 investment.. help me!

Thanks

Leslie

[ian]

You're right, there is an angle (is it 20°) to slide the card in at, then it folds back flat and the two clips hold it in place.

As for using undue force, check (obviously) that the slot in the card matches the guide on the memory slot - you'll find a little resistance as the contacts on the memory slot have to give ways as the card goes in, after all there are 200 of 'em ! You'll also find that when the card is correctly in place that the gold contacts are almost completely covered - so you do have to push it in a few millimetres before it's seated correctly.

[Paul Unger]

My heart was in my throat too (but probably not as high as yours, since I was only installing 512MB ) I found it to be a harder than necessary 'push' to get the memory module seated . . . But if you have your ThinkPad setup sheet handy, there's a section dedicated to "Installing Optional Memory" with a blow-up picture of the retaining tabs (just below step 7). I used something to ease those a bit further back and the memory module slipped right into place. And my memory works! Good luck,

Paul