Gateway m405 User Manual

							15
231
Upgrading Your
Gateway M405
This chapter provides information about adding hardware 
devices to your notebook. Read this chapter to learn 
how to:
■Add and remove PC Cards
■Add and replace memory
■Replace the hard drive 
						

							232
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M405
www.gateway.com
Adding and removing a PC Card
Your notebook has a PC Card slot (also known as a PCMCIA card slot). This 
slot accepts one Type II or Type III card.
You do not need to restart your notebook when changing most cards because 
your notebook supports hot-swapping. Hot-swapping means that you can insert 
a PC Card while your notebook is running. If your PC Card does not work after 
hot-swapping, see the PC Card manufacturer’s documentation for further 
information.
To insert a PC Card:
■Push the card firmly into the PC Card slot label-side up until the outer edge 
of the card is flush with the side of your notebook. 
						

							233
Adding and removing a PC Card
www.gateway.com
To remove a PC Card:
1Click the remove hardware icon in the taskbar, the PC Card name, then 
click
Stop.
-OR-
Turn off your notebook.
2Press the PC Card eject button once to release the eject button.
3Press the PC Card eject button again to eject the PC Card.
ImportantIf the remove hardware icon does not appear on the 
taskbar, click the show hidden icons button. 
						

							234
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M405
www.gateway.com
Preventing static electricity 
discharge
The components inside your notebook are extremely sensitive to static 
electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Before installing memory or replacing the hard drive, follow these guidelines:
■Turn off your notebook.
■Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and 
attach it to a bare metal part of your workbench or other grounded 
connection.
■Touch a bare metal surface on your workbench or other grounded object.
■Unplug the power cord and the modem and network cables.
■Remove the battery. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on 
page 143.
■Disconnect all peripheral devices and remove any PC Cards.
WarningESD can permanently damage electrostatic 
discharge-sensitive components in your notebook. 
Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every 
time you install memory or replace the hard drive.
WarningTo avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and 
moving parts, turn off your notebook and unplug the power 
cord and modem and network cables before opening the 
case.
WarningTo prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object 
into the vent holes of your notebook. 
						

							235
Adding or replacing memory
www.gateway.com
Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:
■Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing 
foam.
■Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready 
to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags 
because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.
■Always hold components by their edges. Avoid touching the edge 
connectors. Never slide components over any surface.
Adding or replacing memory
Your notebook uses memory modules called SO-DIMMs (Small Outline Dual 
Inline Memory Modules). The modules are available in various capacities and 
any module can be placed in any available slot. Use only memory modules 
designed for the Gateway M405 for upgrading your memory.
Memory 
bay 
						

							236
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M405
www.gateway.com
To add or replace memory modules:
1Follow the instructions under “Preventing static electricity discharge” on 
page 234.
2Turn off your notebook and disconnect the AC adapter and modem and 
network cables.
3Disconnect your notebook from the optional port replicator (see 
“Disconnecting from the port replicator” on page 251).
4Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up.
5Remove the battery. For more information, see “Replacing the battery” on 
page 143.
6Loosen the memory bay cover screw, then remove the memory bay cover.
7If you are removing a module, gently press outward on the clip at each 
end of the memory module until the module tilts upward. 
						

							237
Adding or replacing memory
www.gateway.com
8Pull the memory module out of the slot.
9Hold the new or replacement module at a 30-degree angle and press it into 
the empty memory slot. This module is keyed so it can only be inserted 
in one direction. If the module does not fit, make sure that the notch in 
the module lines up with the tab in the memory bay. 
						

							238
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M405
www.gateway.com
10Gently push the module down until it clicks in place.
11Replace the memory bay cover and tighten the cover screw.
12Insert the battery, then turn your notebook over.
13Reattach the optional port replicator.
14Connect the power adapter and modem and network cables, then turn on 
your notebook.
ImportantUse only memory modules designed for the 
Gateway M405. 
						

							239
Replacing the hard drive kit
www.gateway.com
Replacing the hard drive kit
If you would like more hard drive capacity, you can replace your original drive 
with a higher-capacity drive.
To replace the hard drive kit:
1Back up any data you want to transfer to the new hard drive. For more 
information, see “Backing up files” on page 215.
2Follow the instructions under “Preventing static electricity discharge” on 
page 234.
3Turn off your notebook and disconnect the AC adapter and modem and 
network cables.
4Disconnect your notebook from the optional port replicator (see 
“Disconnecting from the port replicator” on page 251).
5Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up.
Hard drive 
						

							240
Chapter 15: Upgrading Your Gateway M405
www.gateway.com
6Remove the battery. For more information, see “Replacing the battery” on 
page 143.
7Remove the two hard drive kit screws.
Tips & TricksUse a magnetic screwdriver or turn the notebook over to 
remove the screws.
Screws