dragon9

hi

i got a hp ze4210 notebook which i just bought a stick of 256mb ddr for last nite. i had a hard time tryin to install it because the slot lays totally flat, meaning its not upright so i can just push it in.

anyway, while trying to push it into the slot with a screwdriver and napkin, i accidently hit a tiny chip on the stick of ram, which broke off and fell into the laptop.

i cant see where the tiny chip fell into so i can't fish it out. so i am really scared that if that tiny chip gets in contact with the rest of the motherboard or other parts, it could cause damage to my laptop.

is this a big problem? what should i do?

Joshua

Yeah, I'd do my best to try getting that thing out. I once dropped a screw in my machine and couldn't find it until it made its way into my Power Supply. It then created a really pretty but scary blue electric light show followed by smoke and **POOF** Dead PS.

Good luck..

I'd also assume that the RAM is prolly toast.

__________________
The Apexer formerly known as SnotRocket.

"Like I ****ing said, "Ok, so I hear it may be a repost. Blah But I had never seen it, so..." **** you Canta." -Jenny 12/4/2003

dragon9

i tried to open the laptop but didnt get too far because i was scared i would screw it up somehow if i messed around with it. i wasnt able to lift the cover off the bottom of the laptop because somehow the motherboard is attached to the bottom cover. i would really have to tear everything apart, i dont think i want to do that.

i turned on the laptop and everything was working fine(b4 i read these postings). but i dont know if later down the road, it could short something in there.

anybody else have any suggestions or comments? also what is the easiest way to install the ram?

i dont know exactly how to do it besides tryin to push it into the socket without any kind of leverage.

reycer94587

I dropped a tiny screw from my Sony Clie in my Gateway Solo 9550 once (don't ask). I was like oh $h!T! After a lot of jiggling to make the screw loose (listen for a rattle), I turned it back rightside-up and just raised and lowered the corners of the laptop til it came out. Took me bout 20 minutes of flipping, shaking, jiggling, and dropping..whoops. Anyway just remember if it rattles, it's loose. Just don't shake it too hard!

Joshua

Sorry dude, I tried looking up the info on HP's website... They don't have Sh1t!

Here's the generic install guide from Crucial:

http://www.crucial.com/install/sodimm2.asp

dragon9

i tried jiggling it around, but i dont hear the chip. although i do hear other parts making some kind of sound, but i dont think it's the chip.

i tried for about 3 hours shaking the thing out, but no luck. i can't take the laptop completely apart neither. i can't seem to pry the two halves apart.

dragon9

thanks very much snotrocket.

it will be very helpful if i ever get the chip out and install my ram.

i feel like such an idiot for not knowing how to install the ram and screwing up such a simple task.

Grimm

Did you check out around your work area? The chip could have ricoched off and be anywhere in the room.

dragon9

ya i did look around the room to make sure it didnt fall out on the floor. its not on the floor and i can't hear it inside the laptop either.

i havent used my laptop since the incident.

thanks