Question Can I kill my laptop when trying to change the RAM ?

[BeckyMoraes]

My laptop is Nitro AN515-52 and I bought a new 16GB RAM for it.
Had the brilliant idea of switching my current RAM to another slot so I could put the other RAM more easily when it arrived. This laptop has only one compartment for RAM so that’s the only part I opened to change it. Yes the laptop was turned off, however I did not opened it entirely so the battery was still connected.

After changing slots I tried booting the laptop. The screen was all black. Something went wrong. After some time I placed it back in the original slot and the screen finally turned on. But it was a blue screen saying there was a problem and “we’ll fix it for you”. Then it kept shutting down.

After a while the acer logo appeared and below it the message “preparing automatic repair”. It has been an hour and it’s still on that screen. My new RAM is here but I fear for my laptop’s life. I don’t know what I did wrong. With the help of a friend once I opened this laptop and cleaned it. Everything went fine.

Now I’m wondering what the heck did I do wrong. Laptop has a main RAM slot? Was trying to boot it without the RAM in the main slot the problem? If my dear laptop survives the automatic repair should I risk opening up again and putting my new RAM in the main slot? Or is it too risky?

 

[NanoSuit3]

Certain laptops yes have a main RAM slot so it's not your fault especially Acers' Nitro Brands. The only thing I would've advised is yes should've removed the battery if you could otherwise discharge or anything that get's put on it will short it in a way so be careful . . . I thought replacing my Helios 300 screen from 60hz to 120 would destroy it but after watching LTT do it I followed their steps and it worked. Always watch a video before doing anything to your tech unless you know what you're doing..................................

 

[Misgar]

If Windows fails to start on three consecutive occasions, it assumes the operating system is corrupted and invokes startup repair. This is what you triggered when you moved the RAM module back and forth between sockets.

You probably wouldn't have had this trouble if you'd simply popped the new SODIMM into the second slot when it arrived. Unlike most desktop computers, laptops can be more fussy when they find the first RAM slot is empty.

If System Repair restores normal Windows operation, fit the new RAM. If you're leaving the existing SODIMM in place, I hope the new RAM has similar (or better still identical) timings, otherwise the system might crash.

 

[BeckyMoraes]

If Windows fails to start on three consecutive occasions, it assumes the operating system is corrupted and invokes startup repair. This is what you triggered when you moved the RAM module back and forth between sockets.

You probably wouldn't have had this trouble if you'd simply popped the new SODIMM into the second slot when it arrived. Unlike most desktop computers, laptops can be more fussy when they find the first RAM slot is empty.

If System Repair restores normal Windows operation, fit the new RAM. If you're leaving the existing SODIMM in place, I hope the new RAM has similar (or better still identical) timings, otherwise the system might crash.

Hey man thanks for the explanation. Appreciate it. I had to re install windows and it worked, but for some reason it’s not reporting 24gb ram total, it's as if there’s no 8gb ram in the second slot. (all specs are identical) But it’s better with the 16gb and it’s working and I won’t open this by myself anymore. I underestimated the complexity of it all.

 

[Misgar]

Things only seem complex the first time you do them. After a while, if you repeat the task often enough, you learn what works best and what to avoid. Pleased to hear you sorted things out.