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A few years ago, I wanted to add more RAM to a Lenovo laptop. I opened the thing, remove the RAM, and like a complete idiot, switched on the power without any R
by spaceman_2020 2y ago
A few years ago, I wanted to add more RAM to a Lenovo laptop. I opened the thing, remove the RAM, and like a complete idiot, switched on the power without any RAM in the slot.
The laptop refused to start.
I took it to the Lenovo center and they said about 7-10 days and a minimum of Rs 10,000 (about $150 in those days).
Since this was too much for an old laptop, I looked for alternatives. Someone suggested a repair shop in Nehru Place, New Delhi
This was tucked into the back of the basement of a big tower. A tiny 10x10 room filled with laptop parts
The guy at the counter looked at the laptop, opened it up, twisted some wires around, added another few wires, and the thing was working again
Total time: under 10 minutes.
Total cost: Rs 200 - just about $2.5 today
- einpoklum 2y agoWait, you mean the laptop refused to start after replacing the RAM? And - was the price quote you got for adding RAM, or for fixing the laptop so that it starts again (with the old RAM SODIMM)? I couldn't quite follow the example.
- spaceman_2020 2y agoI never replaced the RAM. Switched off the laptop, opened it, removed the RAM, and then accidentally switched it on again without any RAM in the slot
- glouwbug 2y agoIt was the secret button: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26932247 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=26932247
- gruez 2y ago>I opened the thing, remove the RAM, and like a complete idiot, switched on the power without any RAM in the slot. >The laptop refused to start. >I took it to the Lenovo center [...] This makes no sense. Why didn't you just replace the RAM? I seriously doubt starting the laptop without RAM bricks the laptop.
- spaceman_2020 2y agoI forgot I had no RAM in the slot and switched the laptop back on Why it refused to start after that is something that's beyond my expertise