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Max'ing Out Memory on the Averatec 3120V Slim Notebook

The Averatec 3120V notebook was originally a practical replacement for my Sony VAIO PCG-505TS SuperSlim notebook. The Averatec 3120V is a good replacement because it's slim. It's not as slim as the Sony SuperSlim, but it's much slimmer than any other notebooks on the market at the time. Sony at the time also couldn't make the SuperSlims any more because mobile CPU/fan have started to increase in physical size to meet performance requirements. Since then, I have passed on the Averatec 3120V notebook to my wife. And recently, the notebook had been really slow, trashing the hard disk all the time. So it's time for a memory upgrade.

Attached Image:

Averatec 3120V Notebook.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Tue, 22 May 2007 02:18:28 -0700

When I first bought the notebook, I had put a 256 MB memory upgrade into it to bring it up to 320 MB from its orignal 128 MB. I knew Windows XP is a memory hog and needed at least 256 MB to even perform basic tasks. The Averatec 3120V notebook has only a single memory expansion slot for an 144-pin PC133 SODIMM memory card. The manual had claimed that the largest memory module it supports is 256MB. But later, I found out that it would work with a 512MB memory stick,which is the largest memory card available in this form-factor.

In this article, I will present step-by-step instructions for replace the memory card in the Averatec 3120V notebook computer. Because the memory upgrade path is fairly standard on today's notebook computers, the instruction will generally work for other notebooks as well.

Attached Image:

Viking 512MB PC133 Memory.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Tue, 22 May 2007 02:21:19 -0700

Step 1: Uncover the Memory Upgrade Bay

Under the notebook, by the fan vent, there is a rectangular cover with two tiny silver screws (see photo below). That cover is the memory upgrade bay cover. Use a small Phillips screw driver to unscrew the cover.

Attached Image:

Memory Bay Access Panel.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:29:31 -0700

Using a small flat-head screwdriver, remove the memory bay cover to reveal the memory module below (see photo).

Attached Image:

Memory Bay with 256 MB of RAM.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:32:02 -0700

Step 2: Removing the Existing Memory Module

The memory module is secured with to metal clips on each side. use your fingernail to pry the two metal clips outward. The memory module will spring upward when the metal clips lose hold as shown in the photo below.

Attached Image:

Removing the Existing Memory Stick.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:34:26 -0700

Once the memory module is loose, hold the memory module at the two edge and remove it from the memory bay. You'll end up with an empty memory bay as shown in the photo below.

Attached Image:

Empty Memory Bay.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:36:13 -0700

Step 3: Installing a Bigger Memory Module

Installing the memory module is basically the reverse of removing it. Insert the memory module into the slot at an angle (see photo below). There is a notch along the memory module contact pins. Match it up with the plastic divider in the memory module accepting slot. You can only insert the memory module one way so that all of the metal contacts are touching.

Attached Image:

Inserting the 512MB Memory Stick.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:44:38 -0700

After inserting the memory stick into the slot at an angle, push the memory module down. The two metal clips will click into place when the memory module is down all the way.

Attached Image:

Viking 512MB Memory Stick Installed.jpg

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:45:15 -0700

Step 4: Re-assemble the Notebook and Boot It

Finally, replace the memory bay cover and fasten the small silver screws. Plug your notebook in and turn it on. In Windows XP, you can see how much memory is installed by right clicking on "My computer" and then select "Properties". The screen capture below shows that I have 576 MB of RAM installed. The other 64 MB of RAM is being used by the graphics adapter.

Attached Image:

576 MB of RAM.png

Chieh Cheng
Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:46:02 -0700

Thanks for posting... I wanted to be sure it would handle 512mb before I upgraded the memory in my averatec 3120. Check out my blog if your curious http://panofish.net.

Alan Lilly
Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:04:31 +0000

WoW! thanks!

I was searching to see if I could get a working battery for this laptop
I want to put linux on it.
Now I can put enough memory in it to make it useful
Not juts a learning tool.

Thank you Very Much!!!!

Laptop newb
Tue, 29 Jun 2010 01:55:40 +0000

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