Problems installing ram upgrade on Acer Aspire 3003LCi Laptop

My computer will upgrade to a total of 2GB using two 1GB sticks. I found the first slot and upgraded it from 256MB to 1GB but the second 256MB card is housed seperatly & I am not finding a tutorial for my model. I did read that the second stick for aspire 3000 series where under the keyboard but I am not for sure. Can anyone tell me how to replace the second one?

JaySee,

It is possible that the RAM Sticks are "hinged" and stacked on top of each other. You probably had to pivot one upwards to change it out.
Is there another one "under" the first?.
So from glancing at their manual pictorial, I would first look to see if both slots exist from underneath the base access plate

📎Acer_base_view_from_Manual.jpg

You can download the.pdf form of the manual that covers the 3000 series in general, from here. Look at pages #5 & #6.
http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/por…s=&areaid=7

If that is not "precisely" your machine, you may have to contact Acer directly.
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I notice that you also posted the same question over at TomsHardware.
If this manual link that I have posted, is the right one for your machine, then it would be a kindness for you to post back into your own Thread(s) wherever else you may have asked this question to let others know the answer to your problem.

If this link doesn't help, please let us know so that we can continue to search/help as necessary.

Remember, Google is your friend for questions like this one.

Best Regards

Here's a better picture
📎Acer_base_view_from_Manua_2.jpg

Found here:

http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/por…s=&areaid=7

hmmmm. Reading your post over at TomsHardware, neither of the above pictures may represent your machine. Will you please confirm the exact model of your laptop. From what I read, you are not "seeing" what is depicted in these pictures. More information from you may help. Best Regards P.S. Here's what appears to be the Acer Support site for your machine. Lot's of good stuff there, …. if it is referring to your machine?

The user manual picture from the your second post is my computer. Acer Aspire 3003LCi. When I replaced the ram I only saw one stick there. It did pivot as you say. I only have these two posts going & will be sure to let everyone know of my progress. Thank You for helping!

If the second image is your machine, then it appears that the RAM sticks are inserted side by each. You may have only had one stick installed. Have another look to see if there is a second empty module right next to the first. No harm in asking around. It happens all the time, really. But I try to always go back and post my solution so that others can either stop researching, or learn from what help I may have received elsewhere. Thank you for understanding.

Hi Doug. I am sorry it is not your second post that shows my computer it is the first. I go to post a reply and they are displayed from last to first. My computer is the 12:56AM post. The slots are not side to side but I did notice that on top of the one I replaced a little offset to the side it looks as though a stick could maybee go there.But what about the other 256MB stick? I my user manual it says my computer is upgradable to 1GB using two soDIMM modules, a total of 2GB so I was thinking that if I where able to install my other stick right there with the first one where there was only one 256MB stick, then my machine would be over the limit of 2GB because I did not replace the other stick? Maybee that is what I am suppose to do? So do you think I may only have one removable stick? I am new to computers & this is my first ram upgrade. Thank YOU for your help and patients Doug !

JaySee.

Since I don't have an Acer Aspire 3003LCi here at my desk, I am using the Online Acer Support/Solution references supplied here:
http://www.acerpanam.com/synapse/forms/por…s=&areaid=7

The manuals and solutions seem to be applicable to all Acer "3000" series machines.
The manuals and illustrations clearly indicate that the Memory (RAM) is accessed from the bottom (base) with the removal of only 2 phillips-head screws. The pictures illustrate that the RAM modules are located side by side.

I have found no mention of a separate location for RAM (for instance, you mention you read that a second chip might be under the keyboard)

I suppose your machine could be different.
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A few possibilities come to mind:

Your machine originally had only one of two RAM module slots filled when new.
You may have missed a second RAM stick in a second module slot that you overlooked close to the one you found.
There may be a second mysterious location for a second RAM module under the Keyboard.
This "under the keyboard" location was used in some laptops that I've seen, but not of your Acer Model.
I suppose it is possible, but not likely. But that is only my opinion from limited experience with Acer Laptops.
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What to do?
Open the RAM compartment as indicated in the illustration from your manual.
Carefully inspect the physical appearance of RAM module slot(s) in hopes of identifying the second location close to the first.
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What to do?

Since your machine does not require "matching pairs" of RAM sticks, you could close up the compartment and Boot your machine.
If your system information indicates that you now have 1024mb RAM, then you probably have replaced the only stick that existed when new.
If your system information indicates 1024mb + 256mb then there is another RAM stick…. somewhere.

The online manual for your machine indicates access to RAM only from the compartment in the base and does not discuss removing Keyboard to replace a second Ram stick….. Therefore I am most inclined to have you carefully inspect the compartment in the base.
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Did you purchase your soDimm RAM sticks from a local Retailer?
If so, you could always resort to taking the machine to the Retailer and asking them to insert the RAM.
Many/most Retailers will do so at no-charge or minimal charge.
_________________________

It is possible that one of our talented Techs will be reading this Thread and can provide additional information.

Best Regards

THANK YOU DOUG !!! My ram is installed!!! You where rite. They both go in the same place. There is only one 256MB stick to be removed & it is on the bottem slot. The other slot is offset a little bit on top of the first slot so that when both sticks are in place you can only see about half of the bottem stick. I do have another question? The Systems properties General tab reads 1.93GB of RAM. I have a free program called System Information for Wind ows & it says I have a total of 1983MB & I thought it should say 2048MB? SIW does show both sticks in slot 1 & 2 with 1024MB each.

The most frequent cause of the "discrepency" between physically installed RAM and Window system Reported physical RAM is that the MotherBoard has an onboard graphics adapter solution that is "borrowing" memory from RAM.

That's "most likely" what is happening.

Jump over to http://www.PCPitstop.com and run the Full Tests, then post back here with your TechExpress Results link
We can review it any you will probably get a better overview of how your machine is functioning.

Congrats on getting the RAM installed.
I'll bet you can already feel the improvement.

Doug

And many thanks for your kind words over at TomsHardware.