DIY: How to upgrade RAM in Aluminum MB and MBP

Colton · 03-09-2009, 11:49 AM

Hi all, as you might have already seen my "how to upgrade the HDD" thread, so now I'll make a guide on how to upgrade RAM in the Aluminum MB and MBP's. Upgrading of the RAM is a bit more difficult, therefore it might be more helpful. You will be needing a Phillips 000 screwdriver, PC-8500 DDR3 1066MHz RAM, up to 4GB. I have yet to upgrade this yet, just waiting on the RAM from Newegg.

So here is a step-by-step guide on how to replace you RAM in your Uni-body MB and MBP.

Step 1: You are going to turn your computer completely off to replace RAM.

Step 2: Make sure you have data backed up, just to be on the safe side. You don't want a bad ram module to lose some of your data. Some people don't do a backup before a ram upgrade, but I do.

Step 3: You are then going to flip the notebook over. Be sure to have a cloth or towel on the surface you're laying to notebook on, to prevent any scratches.

Step 4: No you are going to flip up the tab, just as you would do in changing the battery or HDD. After the tab has been flipped up, take the back battery cover off. The battery and HDD will be exposed at this point. Take the battery out.

Step 5: Now you are going to unscrew the 8 screws around the frame of the computer. There will be 4 short screws, 1 medium length screw, and 3 longer screws. Make sure you have a cup or dish of some-sort, so you don't loose your screws or get them mixed up.

Then when you have your screws off, carefully take the bottom shell of the notebook off. Be very careful, and you might have to wiggle it if it doesn't want to budge. The notebook will now look like this when you are done taking the cover off.

Step 6: You now want to locate where the RAM modules are. They will be right above the battery. In the next picture, the part circled are the old ram modules that came with your computer. The circles show the approximate point where the screws are for the previous step.

Step 7: Now you are going to take the old ram out. To do this, you push the ejection levers off the side of the memory module, therefore releasing the top module. It will come up at an angle. Make sure you are able to see the half-circle levers before you take it out. If you don't, push the ejection levers again until you see it. Always hold a memory module by it's notches, or corners, so you don't touch the gold connectors.

Step 8: Gently put the new memory in, but if it needs a good push to get it in, do it. Be careful not to jam it though. Put it in just like you got it out; at an angle. Put the bottom card in first, and make sure that stays down and doesn't pop back up. Next you are going to put the top one back in; at an angle. Now you can carefully push down on it, to make sure it's connected. But I can't say this enough; don't touch the gold connectors!

Step 9: Now take the back cover, and line up the screw holes with the screw holes on the body. Take the screws you took out of it earlier, and put them in the exact same spot as you took them out. Now you can put the battery back in, and re-attach the battery cover. Make sure the cover is flush against the rest of the body, and it might take a couple minutes to get it the way you want it.

Step 10: Flip the notebook back over, and boot up. If the computer makes a beeping sound or has a blank screen, then you want to go back in the machine and make sure the ram modules are seated correctly, and make sure they are in the slots good. If everything is good, then congrats.

Step 11: Once everything has booted up and works, then you are going to want to see if all the ram has registered with the system. You now want to go to the Apple in the top left hand of the screen > About this Mac > and you will see beside memory that it now has all of the new ram you put in.

Hope this helps somebody out! Enjoy!