View source for Gateway LT2811u

This is a netbook I picked up for $100 on a Black Friday sale at Best Buy. It's a low-end Atom single-processor netbook. It came with 1GB RAM.

I dual-booted it and use it mostly for dedicated applications under Ubuntu 12.04LTS which runs it satisfactorily, especially since I upgraded it to 2GB RAM. 

SYNOPSIS

Opening the case is a BEAR. There is an access panel on the bottom of it, but in order to remove it, you must carefully detach the keyboard from the case while leaving the connection between keyboard and motherboard unmolested. You then remove a bunch of screws (details below are currently WRONG), and work the bottom panel off the case. Once the bottom access panel is removed, you have access to:
1) The Hard Drive
2) The WiFi Radio (add 5GHZ or Bluetooth anyone?)
3) The (single) RAM card slot

See photos (to be added soon)


UPGRADING THE RAM (Under Construction)

Yes, Martha, you CAN upgrade to 2GB, but that's it. It's a limitation of the Atom architecture in the CPU version used. There is misinformation around the Internet on this point.

1) Work on a table. If the table is on a carpeted floor, refrain from swinging your legs. Observe Anti-Static Precautions.

Anti-static considerations are not a big deal in this instance, but don't be an idiot!

There is a metal static shield under the Keyboard, and next to the Ram Memory. The Processor is under the motherboard. (To the right of the Fan Assembly, when looking down from the top)

Also, ram memory modules ('Stick') are coated with a see-through plastic coating, on the Body of the module.
(Refrain from touching the gold plated contact pins on the bottom)

I would place a clean towel on the table, to protect the table, and the Netbook, lay the closed netbook upside down on it. (Bottom side up)

2) Remove ALL power. Remove the AC adapter (Charger), and Battery.

3) Turn the netbook over, open it as far as possible.
Remove the Keyboard

4) Removing the Keyboard:

At the top of the Keyboard, (LCD screen side) there are 4 Tabs to release.
They are from Right to Left;
Above the DELete key, F12, F8, and F4 keys.

If you look close you will see four thin rectangular pieces of plastic, above the noted keys.
These are depressed down.

I c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y press down on them, with a flat tipped Jewelers screwdriver.
Start on the left side with the release tab above the F4 key.
Once depressed the Keyboard will be released from this tab.

Go to the next tab, and so on.
Once all release tabs are released, the top of the Keyboard should pop up, a little.
S-T-O-P!

The Top of the Keyboard is lifted s-l-i-g-h-t-l-y up. Do Not raise it too high.
There may be side tabs also. These will pop loose once the top of the Keyboard is raised up slightly.

There is also a Keyboard Cable attached to the Keyboard.
It is Not needed to disconnect this cable, and I STRONGLY advise against it, as the plastic tabs of the connector on the motherboard, will break VERY easily.

Leave the Keyboard Cable attached.
The Back of the Keyboard may have plastic tabs protruding from it.

This is why the Keyboard is only raised to a slight angle, also.
With the Keyboard in an approximately 45 degree position, move it forward a little, then roll it over, and lay it down.
(Top of Keyboard lays down)

The bottom of the netbook has a Door. This Door is removed for access to the Ram Memory, and Harddrive.

Keyboard removed there are 5 screws marked with Door next to them, to remove.
Push on Door Release (Pretty hard) to ease the Door out.
Then go around, and gently pry the Door off.

Each ram memory module has a spring clip on the side. Each side.
The top of the clip is gently moved to the outside, just a little.

The top of the spring clip has a 'bump', or protrusion, which fits in a Side Notch, on the Ram Memory module.
Once both spring clips are eased out, the Ram Memory module will slightly spring up.

DO NOT remove a Ram Memory module in a straight up position!
You will bend contact pins down in the ram memory slot on the netbook, and damage the contact pins on the Ram Memory module.

The Ram Memory module is brought out in a 45 degree position.
It is installed back in the same position.

Handle the Ram Memory module by the Body. The body is coated with a see-through protective plastic. (The gold plated contact pins are on the bottom, of the Ram Memory module. The rest of the module is the Body)

When the protrusions of the spring clips are fully seated in the Side Notches of the Ram Memory module, the Ram Memory module is fully seated in the ram memory slot.

(Note*
The spring clip protrusion, and the Side Notch, are not a perfect fit.
A little leeway is allowed )

The Gateway LT2811u Netbook PC uses DDR3 Sdram ram memory, that operates at a maximum frequency rate of 1066MegaHertz.
(1066MHz)
It is PC2-8500 that is SO-DIMM.

The Maximum TOTAL Amount of ram memory is 2GB.
There is 1 ram memory slot.