Issues with RAM upgrade on HP Elitebook 860 G9

[David88100]

Meanwhile I compared the user manuals of Elitebook 860 vs 865 which is the same type but just with AMD CPU instead of Intel CPU. In the 860 user manual is only written that memory can be replaced by customer but there is no decription of this step, while in the User manual of 865 is written that memory can be only replaced by authorized service. This is definitely a big communication mistake done by HP as it is impossible to have two completely different way of servicing of the same laptop type. My try with 860 confirms that it is wrong communicated as this is defenitely not possible to replace by customer!!! Reallly HP?!

What does it mean that something can be service/replace only by an "authorized service"? Means sending to HP and pay it or does the 3y HP Care Pack covers things like this? I am incredibely disappointed!

[TzortzisG]

You seem to have found the solution by yourself David88100.

If you take a look at the datasheets of 860 g9 and 865 g9

https://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c08114573

https://www8.hp.com/h20195/v2/GetDocument.aspx?docname=c08158350

you'll see that they are missing the line:

"Both slots are customer accessible/upgradeable" that is in datasheets of 640 g9 650 g9 for example

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c08119579.pdf

https://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/GetPDF.aspx/c08119580.pdf

It appears that the inconsistency between manual 860 and 865 is indeed just a (copy/paste) mistake.

These are truly sad times for users when laptop manufacturers try to completely lock down their computers.

In my opinion you should return these machines right away. This is totally unacceptable, especially for the business sector. Ever since laptops have an internal battery, there is no problem returning an opened machine, since there are all sorts of legit reasons to do so (for example boot stuck and the power button won't turn it off-you have to take out battery to reset, etc,etc).

I still, for the life of me, can't understand how it's technically possible to limit a laptop to particular modules of ram though.....

[TzortzisG]

Update/correction

Several first reports of successful RAM upgrades on the elitebook g9 series, but only on the AMD flavours (845, 865).

Which is actually quite paradoxical since the INTEL ones have the line: "Two customer-accessible memory module slots" while the AMD ones the line: "Two memory module slots " in their respective manuals.

[David88100]

Lol and wow, why I always the first one who figure out everything 😂

Where do you have this information from? Any source?

This should be then officially reporter also to intel to provide a fix.

[TzortzisG]

Hi David88100,

my sources are the washington post and the new york times 🤣

[Content Removed] by MarcusC (thanks for that by the way, I really needed that) 

Successful Ram upgrade on 845 within HPforums :

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Boot-and-Lockup/elitebook-845-g9-cold-boot-requires-double-pr... 

[Nater41]

We got 64gb of Crucial RAM installed on Elitebook 860 and 840 G9 just fine.  Just let it sit on the blank screen and high fan for 5ish mins or so.  Then you get the prompt saying RAM size is different.  Then it boots just fine. 

[paulg1234]

Just added a Crucial 16GB module to an Elitebook 860 G9 that came with 16GB.  Took about 2 minutes of high fan/blank screen before it detected it, then booted OK.