Opening side. I am trying to upgrade the memory in my 3000 but I can't get the side open. is their a latch?

I happened to find a PDF on compaq's support site: if you use Ctrl+F in your web browser and put in DC5100MT it will take you down to the right place. Simply open this PDF if your favorite viewer and there's a whole series of images explaining how to take the panel off (page 4).

A tool-free side panel slides open easily to reveal a roomy interior with two free PCI slots. ... The Dell Dimension 3000 is an affordable computer designed to handle essential multimedia demands for the home user. The Dimension 3000 comes with the latest processor and memory technology, and won't break your budget.

Lay your computer on its side with the computer cover facing up.
If your computer cover has a cover latch, slide and hold the cover latch.

Grip the indents on the computer cover, and slide the computer cover toward the back of the computer.



Place the computer cover on a level surface.


see the link for more info

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/cvrop.htm#wp1076111

Go here:

http://support.us.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/cvrop.htm#wp1076111

On my model, there is a broad recessed area on the top of the case.

On the left-hand side of this area (as you face the front), there is a 3-inch-wide, grooved-surfaced latch that must be pressed inward (to your left) to free the left panel. If you are facing the left side of the unit, pressing this latch inward by grabbing the top of the panel as if you were going to pull it off by force naturally presses in the latch, opening the case.

If you're not seeing the latch, note that the top half of the front can be covered by a rotating cover that covers the drive bays. When it is not covering the front, this rotating cover flips up and around, coming to rest on the top of the unit in the broad recessed area.

When this cover is flipped up and stored at the top of the unit, the case latch is hidden and not pressable. Flip the cover back down so that it's covering the drives, and you're good to go.

Usually there is a latch at the bottom where the memory chips go. Sometimes they are situated under the keyboard...

Make sure the printer has no power before changing memory. Turn off printer, unplug printer and disconnect from computer. It is also a good idea to leave with power off up to 24 hours drain capacitor power as a added precaution.

Try raising the top of the printer up. ( There is a small handle underneath the front that you squeeze which releases the top latch, while lifting up.)

On the right side on top there is a metal bar with a blue sticker next to the print ID. (Push this lever down to release the latch which opens the right side panel.)

Inside you will see the memory slots. (Two running horizontally on top left of control panel and two more running vertically down from top left side of control panel.) ( This is the older type that interlocks with a clip, just lift up from the control panel and then pull out of slot.) (Align the memory to be installed, slide into slot and push toward control panel to lock in place.)

I can send you a picture if you like.

Go to http://www.kingston.com and look up your model there, and find out what memory is available. Not all computers can take 4 GB of memory.

To access the RAM, you need to power down the machine, and open the case. RAM sits in DIMM slots on the motherboard.

To remove RAM, there are small latches on each side of the slot, open them carefully so they don't break. Lift the memory stick out gently.

If you break the latches (happens to all of us!) just make sure the memory is seated firmly in the slot. The computer will still run.

To insert RAM, notice that there is a small notch along the bottom of the stick, it needs to line up with the corresponding bump in the slot. Push the stick in gently but firmly until it locks in place.

Go slow, have plenty of light available, and you should be able to make this upgrade yourself.

If I've solved your issue, please mark this problem as "Fixya", if not please let me know what else I can do for you with a comment.

Good Luck,
Airoff

open the side pannel then you will see the ram installed in slot, just put the ram module into the empty slot and gently push it, the latch in the side of the slot will close with a click sound

They are usually in a plastic caady which has a latch on it find the latch and release the caddy hope this helps