Installing memory in HP m8000n

[CyberChulo]

Hey guys can someone help me?  I want to upgrade the stock 2GB of ram in my HP m8000n desktop to 4GB but when I opened the side panel, all the hard drive enclosures are blocking my access to where the ram is installed.  How do I get to it without removing pretty much taking the whole computer apart?

[1badGuard]

See:  http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph03886&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=3377257

[CyberChulo]

Thanks for the reply but unfortunately my mother board is not out in the open just by removing the side panel.  The drive bays and are covering the memory slots.  I'd have to remove all the drive bays to get clear access to the simm sockets.  If they have some tutorial like the one you posted with the animated gifs, it would be very helpful.

[bassfisher6522]

What bit is your OS, 32 or 64. If 32 bit OS, your system can only use 3.5 gigs of ram. If you buy more than that you will be wasting your money. However if its a 64 bit system then you can max out the ram to mobo specs. Here is a link to install from HP.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph03886&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=ca&lang=en&product=3377...

Here is a link from HP on specs

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/12132708-12133156-12133158-12133158-12133158-79681383-...

Here is a link from HP on technical info

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=3377257&lc=en&cc=ca&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=ca

Here is link on mobo specs

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00906129&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=ca&lang=en&product=337...

I have the HP m8300f Media edition and the towers look identical. My ram is accessible, this may be do to newer model and engineering. Can you take some pictures of what the inside looks like and post them so I can see what I can do to help guide you.

[CyberChulo]

I have a 32bit OS.  Running Vista Ultimate.  I think I've found the instructions for it.  http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00841394.pdf

If you look on page 8, it details all the steps I have to do first just to get access to the memory sockets.  Quite a pain IMHO.  lol.

[RasterBlaster · Accepted solution]

This support document should show you everything - how to remove the PMD bay and the 3.5 cage.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c00639696&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&rule=11006&...

[CyberChulo]

Thanks.  I think this will do it. 

[sblive]

I remember adding RAM to my HP m8000n a few years ago. If you can squeeze the ram and your hands through, you don't actually have to remove anything except the side door.

[ricky78]

What is no. on ram modules and do you have to remove hard drive to get modules out

ricky78