Installing extra RAM on my Acer Travelmate 803LCi

First, I'm not an Acer representative.
* Check your warranty. Call for support.

*** Following is for information only.***
* Cnet review and specs; https://www.cnet.com/products/acer-travelmate-2413lci-15-celeron-m-370-win-xp-pro-256-mb-ram-40-gb-hdd-series/specs/
* Amazon.com; https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=acer+travelmate&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=241908514065&hvpos=1o2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12758130686864183407&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032739&hvtargid=kwd-20644680&ref=pd_sl_9bftrzarnw_b
* Installing Ram; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3-rx9nLfps
* Reset BIOS; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOCw9VGdToI&vl=en
* Bios unlock; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdnS6c7ODs8
* Manual (official) site (but unable to find model); https://www.acer.com/ac/en/MM/content/drivers
* Acer models; https://www.elektroniksc.com.pl//pliki/03/35/A1/96/0335A1965.1.pdf
* Compatibility guide; http://service1.pcconnection.com/PDF/NC1_Compatibility_Guide.pdf
* Manual (free?); https://www.novelsys.co/search/?title=acer-travelmate-2413lci-service-manual-wordpress.pdf
* Charger plug specs; http://www.ewent-online.com/media/media/manuals/K6_Acer.pdf
Note; this appears to be an outdated laptop.
Aloha, ukeboy 57

There are two memory slots on your computer, one of which is occupied by standard memory. You can upgrade memory by installing a memory module into the available slot.

Installing memory
Follow these steps to install memory:
1Turn off the computer, unplug the AC adapter (if connected) and remove the battery pack. Then turn the computer over to access its base.
2Remove the screw (a) from the memory cover; then lift up and remove the memory cover (b).
50 2 Customizing your computer
3Insert the memory module diagonally into the slot (a), then gently press it down (b) until it clicks into place.

4Replace the memory cover and secure it with the screw.

There are laptops that do not have two slots for RAM. the EEE Pc's for example only have one slot.

Download User Guide from Acer:
http://global-download.acer.com/GDFiles%5CDocument/QuickStartGuide/TM%202420%20ENG%20OLM.zip?acerid=633646649263931716&Step1=Notebook&Step2=TravelMate&Step3=TravelMate%202420&OS=X01&LC=en&SC=PA_7

Page 43 covers installing RAM

The memory is located under a small cover plate on the bottom of the unit. Remove the battery, and then take out the two screws of this cover plate, you will find your Ram located under this plate. Here is the user manual for your model notebook:

http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/manuals/acer/0000/userguides/tm420ug.pdf

Sometimes Laptops will have 1 slot internal and 1 slot on the bottom side thats readily accessible via a removable plate.

You'll be perfectly find with the 1GB internal and adding the 2GB to replace the 1GB stick on the bottom side.
Also Windows XP and VISTA 32bit can only address and use about 3.25GB of ram anyway.

Recently Microsoft released a patch that's kind of tricking consumers, People calling and complaining so much to MS and PC manufacturers about not seeing all their ram when they installed 4GB so they Released a fix that shows it as 4GB but still the 32bit OS cant use the extra over 3GB

Acer TravelMate 270 upgrades:

The official upgrade slot is located on the bottom of the laptop and is easy to find. Just unscrew the small cover and there it is.

The other slot requires you to unscrew the two screen bracket screws. Once you have done this, between ESC and F1, F4 and F5 and F12 and PrtSc there are small plastic rings. Put a biro nib into these and pull down. They will pop down. You can now remove the plastic cover.
Unscrew the two screws marked "L9" on the bottom of the laptop which are located at the top of the memory cover. Now you can remove the keyboard. Underneath the keyboard is the second RAM slot. The SiS 650 chipset supports a max of 1GB per memory slot and since this laptop has two slots that means 2GB of RAM. I've used Kingston DDR400 PC 3200 SODIMMS.

You can also upgrade the CPU - the fastest CPU available is the Pentium-M 2.6GHz. Nothing faster will work - trust me on this. It must be a Pentium 4 Northwood architecture CPU with a 400MHz FSB. Standard P4 Northwood CPUs with the metal shim won't fit - unless you know a way of removing the shim without destroying the CPU. Best to stick with a Pentium mobile (Pentium 4 M) chip. Look on Ebay for these.

Of course the hard disk can also be upgraded - a 200GB 7200RPM 2.5" drive works a treat. Non SATA of course.

You can add wireless and USB 2.0 using PCMCIA carbus cards. I use a StarTech 54mbps wireless card with the RAlink chipset and a NEC USB 2.0 card with 4 USB ports. Both cards fit in at the same time.

The laptop absolutely flies with these upgrades.

open the small horizontal panel above your keyboard with a small screwdriver (you should do it gently) > open the screw below that panel > open your keyboard (be careful not to pull your keyboard too hard because there is cables underneath your keyboard) > from there, your memory slot should accessible.

512MB (FT64MSD64V3F)
200 Pin Dimm - SDRAM - 2.5V - DDR - PC2700 (PC-333) - Non-ECC

is the correct type of RAM for your laptop.
Have you tried booting with all combinations.

512 in slot 1 --- Boots
move same dimm to slot 2 (on it's own) and try booting.
boot with 256mb in slot 1 and known to be good 512 in number 2

This laptop should allow up to 2GB RAM. So I don't belive it is an issue with the mother board not seeing the amout of RAM. I think it could either be flaky dimm or your slot 2 is damaged

Acer TravelMate 270 upgrades:

The official upgrade slot is located on the bottom of the laptop and is easy to find. Just unscrew the small cover and there it is.

The other slot requires you to unscrew the two screen bracket screws. Once you have done this, between ESC and F1, F4 and F5 and F12 and PrtSc there are small plastic rings. Put a biro nib into these and pull down. They will pop down. You can now remove the plastic cover.
Unscrew the two screws marked "L9" on the bottom of the laptop which are located at the top of the memory cover. Now you can remove the keyboard. Underneath the keyboard is the second RAM slot. The SiS 650 chipset supports a max of 1GB per memory slot and since this laptop has two slots that means 2GB of RAM. I've used Kingston DDR400 PC 3200 SODIMMS.

You can also upgrade the CPU - the fastest CPU available is the Pentium-M 2.6GHz. Nothing faster will work - trust me on this. It must be a Pentium 4 Northwood architecture CPU with a 400MHz FSB. Standard P4 Northwood CPUs with the metal shim won't fit - unless you know a way of removing the shim without destroying the CPU. Best to stick with a Pentium mobile (Pentium 4 M) chip. Look on Ebay for these.

Of course the hard disk can also be upgraded - a 200GB 7200RPM 2.5" drive works a treat. Non SATA of course.

You can add wireless and USB 2.0 using PCMCIA carbus cards. I use a StarTech 54mbps wireless card with the RAlink chipset and a NEC USB 2.0 card with 4 USB ports. Both cards fit in at the same time.

The laptop absolutely flies with these upgrades.