Adding memory to a notebook - void warranty?

[Mokmo418]

I have a notebook i bought 3 weeks ago. It runs nice but needs a little more memory (has 512 MB, i'd add 1GB). I've checked with the store where i bought it and their prices are way higher than what i would get online.

So my question is:

i know how to change the memory on this notebook. If i do, how will the warranty be affected ?

 

[n0cmonkey]

Read your warranty, but generally no.

 

[Brainonska511]

Adding memory does not void the warranty from what I have seen with most notebooks. Obviously if you damage something in the upgrade process, your warranty will be voided, but if is done properly, you should be fine.

 

[Mokmo418]

ok...
I just love it when i have 0 manuals with the notebook (all online)... I'll have to look it up tonight.

 

[Aluvus]

What brand?

My memory is that my laptop's warranty specifically had a clause saying I was free to add memory without voiding the warranty.

 

[corkyg]

Not only that - every notebook I have had (now on my 5th) has a very clear set of instructions in the manual telling how to upgrade memory. It is a user upgradeable item.

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

laptop warranties usually consider any item you can get to without disassembling it a "user servicable part", which means it won't be voided. This would include for the most part ram, hdd, battery, and possibly optical drive (depending on if your model lets it slide out without opening the casing).

 

[Blazkowicz]

No adding RAM doesn't void the warranty.

 

[mauiblue]

I doubled my memory on my new Toshiba Qosmio from the stock 1GB to 2GB which was fairly simple BUT if you fubar it I hope you have some sort of accidental repair coverage just in case

 

[Mokmo418]

Ok to answer your questions

- it's a HP, the warranty booklet says, on the 2nd page, that i cannot change the parts for non-HP-approved parts. If i order from where i bought the notebook, the memory will be expensive compared to online market prices, and i dont know what kind i'm getting then.
Then i could get a set of good brand memory for less.

-The other thing is, if they wouldn't want their customers to open it up for changing parts, why did they put a little ram module engraving next to three screws under the darn thing (same thing for HD). I'll try to get further into the warranty manual and get copies of those i don't have yet.

This notebooks runs rather well, 512 MB is just not enough!

 

[corkyg]

Add the memory! I have an H-P Pavilion dv100 - I added memory approved for that model from Crucial. Approved does not necessarily mean "sourced from."

The memory addition procedure is documented in the user guide.

Go for it!

 

[mikeford]

Unless you mess it up, you could always pull the memory out for any warranty repairs.

 

[Fraggable]

I don't think any manfacturer would prohibit you from changing RAM, in my experience RAM, hard drives, and optical drives can be replaced under warranty.

 

[cheesehead]

From what I recall of HP, you can add memory, but if you damage the laptop doing it (very unlikely), you're liable for damage, and they won't fix it.
EDIT:
You probbably don't actually have a HP laptop, but the point remains the same. Most manufacturers will let you. However, a few are rather cautious; for some laptops with unusual configurations (super-small tablet PC's, for example), you may run into trouble.
However, if this is a standard-issue Dell, Toshiba, Hp/Compaq, or Lenovo laptop, you should be fine.