Upgrading the Memory
My Acer Aspire One A1101 only came with 512k of RAM and while that’s probably ample for the installed version of Linux, it’s not enough for my Windows XP installation. The good news is that there’s an extra socket for a 200pin SODIMM in the Aspire One. The bad news is that you need to take most of the computer apart to access it.
As long as you’re somewhat inclined with electronics, this install isn’t too hard, but be forewarned that it will invalidate your warranty, and while I haven’t heard of anyone having problems, could mess up your computer. In total the install took me about 20 minutes and I was moving slowly and carefully. I also followed these instructions on where all of the screws are located, and how to disassemble the system:
You’ll need a couple of very small flathead screwdrivers for prying and a small and a very small phillips screwdriver (there’s one silver screw that’s smaller than the rest under the keyboard). I ended up dremeling a screwdriver to make it smaller and fit this one particular screw. Make sure you’re doing this work on a non-carpeted floor to prevent static.
The only portion that I found difficult at all was removing the keyboard. As noted in the above video, there are three tabs that need to be pushed back, while prying the keyboard up at the same time. I used two small flat head screwdrivers, one to push in the tab and the other to gently pry. Just go slowly and be carefully and everything should come out and go back together smoothly.
The 1GB SODIMM can be found for less than $20 online. You will need a DDR PC2 4200 533MHZ SODIMM (if you get something faster it should just run it at 533MHZ). I found a Kingston one from an ebay seller for $14.50 shipped so shop around for a good deal. After the RAM is installed and the computer is put back together, check the BIOS (press F2 at startup) to make sure that the computer sees the new memory.
Category: Installs, RAM 22 comments »
December 29th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I’m having a real hard time with the screws…. I eve used a little bit of oil but it didn’t work
December 30th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
You need to make sure that you’re using the proper screw driver. Standard size screw drivers are likely too big for the tiny screws (especially the small silver one underneath the keyboard). Get yourself a good set of mini screw drivers… you can get these at a hardware shop for only a few bucks. Don’t use oil, if your screwdriver has good purchase, it will be able to back out the screw.
January 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Good post. I have seen it on my computer too. An increase of memory is always good and improves the performance of other computer or laptop!
As came to this site, I saw this website below which also deals with the subject!
http://bargainhere.net/laptop-memory/
January 31st, 2009 at 10:15 pm
So i was wondering are you limited to 1 gb of ram or can you go 2 gb
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March 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 am
i search the net and i found this
Aeneon AET860SD00-30D-S 2GB 1X2GB DDR2-667 PC2-5300 CL5 200PIN SODIMM
is this possible to use at AAO?
April 9th, 2009 at 9:08 am
just wondering… can i use ddr2 here?
May 24th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
The acer aspire one has 512 megabytes of ram built into the system, and it’s not capable of handling more then two gigabytes of ram, so installing an additional 2 gigs isn’t an option, ben,
. As far as I know, it isn’t possible to remove the 512 built in. If it is, though, I’d be very interested if anyone knows how. Even if removed, I’m not sure if the ram slot can read more then 1gb. http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=037FC2B9A5CA7304 . This website states ,”PC2-5300 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.* *Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.” 
So I’d be interested to know. But, in any case, it won’t work to stick 2gb of ram in there, 
. And, prince, DDR2 should work. 
Now, if only that was the case with my desktop computer… “200-pin SODIMMs are used to provide DDR and DDR2 SDRAM memory for notebook computers. 200-pin SODIMMs are available in PC2700 DDR SDRAM, PC3200 DDR SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-6400 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-5300 SDRAM, DDR2 PC2-4200 SDRAM and DDR2 PC2-3200 SDRAM.” Same link as the one provided above.
May 24th, 2009 at 5:00 pm
Eh, small possible correction on my above comment- I’m not actually positive about whether it’s capable of handling more then 2gb of ram, or if that just has to do with the ram slot not being capable of reading more then 1gb. Again, in any case, it still won’t work to try installing a 2gb stick of ram.
May 27th, 2009 at 6:40 am
“My Acer Aspire One A1101 only came with 512k of RAM…”
You sure about that?
May 28th, 2009 at 8:40 am
Hehe, yes, I am fairly certain. Honestly, that didn’t make any sense to me. I tried googling the model with linux. Is this your model? A150-1101? It comes with 512mb of ram- it took me a few tries trying to find it on this website because the onboard memory was the first thing it shows.
that never happens! Here’s the link for it
https://www.directcanada.com/products/?sku=1014178104J&vpn=LU.S410A.029&manufacture=ACER
I didn’t actually buy one with linux, though, so feel free to correct me if I’m still wrong. I noticed that the L2 cache size was only 512kb. Maybe the specs were slightly confused? I’ve also never seen any netbook, acer or other, with less then 512 mb of ram.
May 28th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Oh! Sorry, Julian! I had thought you were saying that my comment was wrong since you were quoting the author about the ram. Totally misread. Anywho,
guess my comment was just backing yours up, then. xD . Just ignore the first line of my last comment…
June 24th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Be careful with upgrading the RAM. I used the Kingston RAM mentioned above, on my Linux AAO 110, and got both types of starting up problems. 1) Fan goes on but screen remains black, no contact with keyboard, neither F2 or F12 worked. ACER said it was no problem and sent it back to me. The machine worked for a week, then 2) the machine will only start up through Ethernet/Lan device. A number of things can bypass the problem but only temporarily, say 1-5 hours. The only solution, take ot the Kinston RAM. Which I understood why.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Hey everyone, I’m new here so I don’t know if this is an active thread. I thought I would give this a try:
I have an Acer Aspire One netbook, and it has given me tons of trouble since I bought it earlier this year. It’s the memory- if I have a program like winamp running while doing something else, I will more often than not get the blue screen.
I decided to upgrade the memory, installing a 1 gb stick. It didnt really help matters any, but the BIOS recognized the new memory and it worked as well as it did before. Then one day, from out of nowhere, the darn thing just shut off. When I tried to turn on the computer again, it would shut off shortly after windows xp had loaded. I tried turning on the computer and going straight to the BIOS menu, but it would still shut off.
It occured to me that there must be some kind of hardware conflict, because that is the only time I have ever seen something like this occur on a computer. I took out the installed memory, put it back together, and turned it on. Sure enough, the computer started and ran as well as it always had.
Fast forward maybe a month or so. It’s doing the SAME thing all over again, only this time I have nothing to take out. The only thing left is the motherboard in this machine, plus the hard drive. My thinking is that yet again, the stupid memory is the issue. As we all know, however, the memory on this thing is onboard.
So… does anyone know how to disable the onboard memory? I really don’t want this thing to become a paperweight.
July 18th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
ehh.. attractive
July 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
To comment about RAM for the Acer Netbooks, it seems there are several models and for what I have, the 8.9 inch D150-1577, I am needing help with determining if I can install a 2 gig module to replace the 1 gig that came with it. Some sites say that the memory for these netbooks have a special “chip” exclusively needed for this mobo. Has anyone upgraded my model to 2 gigs successfully? NewEgg says that 2 2gig module of DDR2-667 (PC2-5300) SO-DIMM will work. I am afraid to waste the time and money if anyone can give me input I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
June 22nd, 2010 at 10:19 am
I have the same problem as mentioned earlier. the kingston 1 gb ram was instlled but, the screen seems to be gone blank, help , what to do now. please.
March 9th, 2011 at 12:34 am
Just for the folks with blank screen on startup, this solved my problem;
http://macles.blogspot.com/2008/08/acer-aspire-one-bios-recovery.html
September 22nd, 2011 at 5:24 am
It was a great topic, i want to say that the ddr2 pc2-3500 is the valuable product and it seems it was easy to upgrade the ram into my computer, you have did a great job.
September 27th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
I’m not sure why but this site is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later and see if the problem still exists.
November 25th, 2011 at 3:04 pm
I have fitted a 2GB crucial DDR2 in the slot that says max 1Gb, this was in error not until I got the scanner from Crucial to check it did I find it says max IGb per slot. The ACRE 5315 recoignised the now 2.5Gb in the machine and it works fine perhaps time will tell
Ken
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:59 am
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