By Wang Da-Fu
In this section, we will talk about how to replace the memory for each model of Eee PCs.
Eee PC Models
Before we get started, let’s see how to learn which kind of machine you have by the model name.
First, you can tell which display size it has from the first number—whether it has a 7-inch, 8.9-inch or 10.1-inch display. For example: Eee PC 701 4G (Eee PC 4G for short), Eee PC 701SD, Eee PC 701SDX and other 700 series have a 7 inch screen, measured diagonally; 900 series like Eee PC 900, Eee PC 900SD, Eee PC 904HA, Eee PC 901, Eee PC T91 come with a 8.9-inch diagonal display, while Eee PC 1000, Eee PC 1000HA, Eee PC 1000HE, Eee PC S101, Eee PC S101H, Eee PC 1002HA, Eee PC 1008HA and other model name starting with 10 are equipped with 10.1-inch diagonal screen.
Next, an H in the model name indicates that the Eee PC uses a hard drive (HD) for data storage instead of a solid-state drive (SSD). For example: models like Eee PC 900HA, Eee PC 900HD, Eee PC 904HA, Eee PC 1000H, Eee PC1000HE and Eee PC S101H and Eee PC 1002H use a hard drive, while those without an H such as Eee PC 4G, Eee PC 8G, Eee PC 701SD, Eee PC 701SDX, Eee PC 900, Eee PC 900SD, Eee PC 900 16G, Eee PC 901, Eee PC 1000, and Eee PC S101 use SSD.
Also, those with model name including an A come with an Intel Atom series CPU, while those with model name including a D use an Intel Dothan (Celeron M 353) series CPU.
If you cannot determine whether your Eee PC comes with a Dothan or an Atom CPU, in Windows operation system, click [Start] and then [Control Panel] with the mouse left click; click [Switch to Classic View], and then click on the [System] icon. In the window that appears, you can see the CPU type on the [General] tab in [System Properties] dialog box as seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1 [System Properties] Dialog Box Shows that this Eee PC Uses an Atom N270 CPU.
After powering on your Eee PC, press [F2] on the keyboard quickly and repeatedly until BIOS Setup main screen appears, as seen in Figure 2. In this screen, you can see this Eee PC uses an Intel Dothan (Celeron M 353) series CPU, and you can also see that it has a 1024MB (1GB) system memory in this screen.
Figure 2 In BIOS Setup Main Screen, You Can See CPU Type and System Memory Size.
Memory for Eee PCs
Most Eee PCs come with a single memory slot for 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM with size varying from 512MB, 1024MB (1GB) and 2048MB (2GB), as seen in Figure 3 and commonly used for general NBs, instead of a 240-pin Long-DIMM. If your Eee PC uses an Intel Dothan CPU, please choose the memory with max clock frequency of 533MHz, and choose the one with 667Mhz speed for Eee PCs with an Intel Atom CPU. It does not matter if the memory has a clock frequency higher than that, because Eee PC will still run at clock frequency of either 533MHz (Dothan) or 667MHz (Atom).
If there is compatibility concern for buying a memory card incompatible for your Eee PC, you may bring the Eee PC with you to the store for memory replacement, and buy the memory after talking with the vendor.
Figure 3 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM SDRAM
Get a Cruciform Screwdriver
Before you get going, have a suitable cruciform screwdriver ready to remove the access panel on the bottom of the computer, as seen in Figure 4. The tip of the screwdriver should fit snugly in the screw slot to keep from damaging them. When removing the screws, press the screwdriver down and apply pressure to turn the screw left or counter-clockwise; when putting back the screws, press down the screwdriver and apply pressure to turn the screw right or clockwise. It would be better to have a magnetic screwdriver to easily retrieve the removed small screws. Or you can get a small strong magnet to collect the screw after loosing it with a screwdriver.
Before replacing the memory or disassembling Eee PC, turn off the power and unplug the AC/DC power adapter and battery. It is also suggested that you wash your hands to discharge static and be sure to dry your hands after washing them.
Figure 4 Small Magnetic Cruciform Screwdriver
Replace Memory for Eee PC 2G, 4G, 701SD, 900, 900 16G, 900HA & 900HD
For Eee PC models including Eee PC 701 2G, 4G, 701SD, 900, 900 16G, 900HA and 900HD, replacing memory and even disassembling of the whole computer is almost identical but with minor difference.
To remove the access panel on the bottom of Eee PC, you only need to unscrew two small screws, as seen in Figure 5. One screw may be covered with an Eee PC sticker. You may worry that removing this kind of seal will void the 1-year warranty of Eee PC. Please rest assured; merely replacing the memory will not void the warranty, unless you accidentally damage your Eee PC during the replacing procedure.
Figure 5 Two Small Screws on the Bottom Access Panel of the Eee PC
After removing the two small screws, open the access panel on the bottom of your Eee PC using your fingers, as seen in Figure 6. Note that there is a small lock inside at each position marked with the small yellow rectangle as you can see in the figure.
Figure 6 The Bottom Access Panel can be Opened with Fingers Once the Screws are Removed.
You can see the DRAM after opening up the bottom access panel of Eee PC, as seen in Figure 7.
Figure 7 The DRAM can be Removed by Pulling the Clips, Marked with Red Circles, Away from the Existing Memory.
To release the DRAM you will need to push the clips that are located on both sides of the memory, as marked with red circles seen in Figure 7, away from the memory with your fingers. The DRAM will pop up and it can be removed.
Do not install your memory in backwards when putting it back. Actually, it would be quite difficult for you to install a DRAM in the wrong orientation, because the memory module is built with a fool-proof insertion design; as you can see in Figure 8, there are two rows of connecting fingers on the memory—the long end and the short end, to make sure the orientation is right in the memory socket.
Figure 8 DRAM Has a Long End of Connecting finger and a Short One.
When putting the memory back, make sure the orientation is right. Also, note that you should push the memory module down only after it is fully inserted in the socket. As seen in Figure 9, you can see the right side of the memory module is not fully inserted, so it will not properly contact the motherboard when pushed down.
Figure 9 DRAM has a Longer End of Connecting finger and a Shorter One.
Replace Memory for Eee PC 904HA, 904HD, 1000, 1000H, 1000HA, 1000HD, 1000HV & 1000HE
It actually takes a similar procedure to replace DRAM for models including Eee PC 904HA, 904HD, 901, 1000, 1000H, 1000HA, 1000HD, 1000HV and 1000HE when compared with the above-mentioned models, except that those modules have a larger access panel and different DRAM location.
In Figure 10, you can see the picture showing the bottom access panel of Eee PC 1000HE. Red circled is where the screws are located, while the yellow rectangles mark the location of the locks. After you open the access panel, you can see the DRAM, as seen in Figure 11 (marked with red rectangles).
Figure 10 1000HE Bottom Access Panel
Figure 11 Under the Bottom Access Panel of 1000HE.
Replace Memory for Eee PC S101, S101H & 1002HA(1002H)
For models like Eee PC S101, S101H and 1002HA (1002H), the location of the bottom access panel is slightly different from the above-mentioned models. Basically, the bottom access panels of these models are almost the same, while S101H has exactly the same one as 1002HA (1002H) with two screws, and they both have the locks inside the access panel in the same location, as seen in Figure 14-17; S101 only has one screw and the location of the lock is slightly different, as seen in Figure 12 and 13.
In the following pictures, red circles indicate the location of the screws, while yellow rectangles mark the location of the locks.
Figure 12 Bottom Access Panel of S101
Figure 13 Under the Bottom Access Panel of S101
Figure 14 Bottom Access Panel of S101H
Figure 15 Under the Bottom Access Panel of S101H
Figure 16 Bottom Access Panel of 1002HA (1002H)
Figure 17 Under the Bottom Access Panel of 1002HA (1002H)
It is rather easy to replace the memory, and you can do it by yourself when necessary. Also, if you enable [Boot Booster] in BIOS Setup, be sure to enter the BIOS setup menu after replacing DDR2 SDRAM 512MB/ 1GB with 2GB for your Eee PC to re-detect new hardware properly. Otherwise, the new upgraded memory may not be recognized
Just so you know, you can skip this article if you have Eee PC 701SDX and Eee PC 900SD because you cannot replace the SDRAM for the two models, and they have no access panel on the bottom that can be removed. What’s more, the SDRAM is soldered on the motherboard. Also, you can replace SDRAM for Eee PC 1008HA, but you need to disassemble the whole case rather than simply opening the bottom access panel on other models.
