Is it possible to fix laptop memory slot failure with a guitar pick? Yes, it is. You will not fix the memory slot itself, but you can work around the problem. 
Today I received a Toshiba Satellite Pro 4600 laptop with the following complaint:
The laptop starts and works properly, but recognizes only one of the two memory modules installed. The laptop has two 256MB RAM modules installed, but registers only 256MB.
First of all, I removed the memory cover to find out if both memory modules are installed correctly. The laptop had two 256MB Kingston modules installed and they were seated properly.
When I started the laptop and entered the BIOS setup menu, I found that only one of the two memory modules is detected and the laptop registers only 256MB (262144KB) of RAM instead of 512MB (524288KB).
Just a side note. In the computer world 1MB=1024KB. That’s why 256MB=262144KB and 512MB=524288KB.
I tried reseating both memory modules but it didn’t help.
After that I tried installing both memory modules in both memory slots one by one and here’s what I found. The laptop worked absolutely fine when both memory modules were installed into the slot A, but failed to boot with both memory modules installed into the slot B.
Apparently, there is nothing wrong with the memory modules and the laptop has a faulty memory slot B. The memory slot is permanently soldered on the motherboard. If one of the slots fails you’ll have to replace the whole motherboard or use the laptop with only one working slot.
Buying a new motherboard for this older laptop wouldn’t make any sense because it’s too expensive, but the laptop is still in a good working condition except the faulty memory slot B, so I continued playing with that trying to find the solution.
I noticed that the laptop start normally with the memory module installed into the faulty slot if I slightly press on the module with my thumb. And this gave me an idea.
This guitar pick is going to fix my laptop.
I installed both RAM modules back into the slots and then placed the guitar pick over the module in the slot B as it shown on the picture.
I thought if I close the RAM door it will press on the guitar pick/memory module and it will have the same effect as pressing on the module with my thumb. And it worked!
Both memory modules were detected properly and the laptop registered all 512MB. After “the fix” I tested memory with Memtest86+ and the laptop passed the test.
I wouldn’t call it the best solution for fixing a faulty memory slot but in some cases it will work.
By the way, I didn’t charge the customer for this “repair”, he knows what is going on and how I “fixed” his problem.
If you find this article useful, please consider making a donation to the author. Thank you!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:45 am
yes very glad to find this.
satellite p105,
it doesnt boot at all.
going thru yr memory slot thing. opened the memory.
the side of the slot (white plastic with tiny metal tab, “flange”. on one side of the top slot (there are 2 folded slots), has cracked and now spread doesnt clamp the module.
sure i could have done that when i spread the sides.
but i think i used so little pressure that it was already cracked.
either way, problem is the same.
but…i don’t know if this is the problem.
i have tried booting with and without 2 modules, change them from slots.
still no boot. but i will have to address this to move on, right?
your advice and comments have given me a few ideas of how to go.
however i’d really like your opinion about efficient procedure here. would really appreciate it.
i could just assume the good slot is ok. just use one module. and keep going. that deosnt seem right.
thanks in advance.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Thanx so much! May God bless ur soul! I really thought my computer was fried until I found this. I used q-tips and some plastic anker kits. Works fine now. Thanx again!
May 25th, 2009 at 12:11 am
There are some heat conductive pads you can place on the memory modules of the chip. This would help dissipate heat and it has an adhesive side for permanent application to the chip. So, you wouldn’t have to worry about the pick coming loose and also the memory may run a little cooler. Cooler parts = Better performance. Great Article, thanks for the read.
April 12th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
richard,
You are 100% correct. When you apply pressure on the memory module, it makes a better connection with the memory slot. I used the guitar pick to push the memory module down so it makes connection with all contacts inside the slot.
April 12th, 2009 at 8:19 am
good work.. what i think is that. the problem was from the memory slot teeth. it couldn`t have in contact with the memory teeth does why he use the guitar pick to press the memory into contact to the slot teeth.
March 31st, 2009 at 5:57 pm
i tried it,man you are a freaking genius,all this time i been running
it with 256mb so slow with these newer programs on it ,i been troubleshooting computers for a while and never thought of that,back up to 512mbs this my home laptop can go to 1gb,five star site,i will tell others about this site for laptops if they email me,truly
a experience computer tech,note toshiba terca 9000
March 31st, 2009 at 10:06 am
damn,i going to give that a try i have a toshiba terca 9000
it’s my favorite from the others which is less than 4 years olds
only one slot is working ran cpu -z the slot is there the memory is in the slot but it’s showing up as no ram ,you are just like yogi the bear said smarter than the average bear
February 22nd, 2009 at 8:45 am
I just had to post here, THANKS A TON MAN. I just got a Toshiba Portege 200 off of Ebay and it came with one 512MB module and I wanted to push it up to 1GB since I dual-booted it with Vista. Went through the hassle of ordering online another 512 and having to return it once (it really was busted) just to realize that my slot was bad as well. I could have returned it and bought a 1GB module, but this saved me some cash and more hassle.
A guitar pick wouldn’t work for me, so I ended up just sticking half a plastic SD card case in there to keep it pushed down and it works like a charm. I’m still a bit worried about it messing something up overtime but so far no problems. Thanks for the advise.
February 18th, 2009 at 7:56 am
SWEEEEEEETTTTT ! ! !
Used this fix this morning! I used Q-tip’s instead… had to trim them of course… I thought my motherboard was a total loss….
February 16th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
WOW! You saved sooo many computers with you genius. I have been running mine for over a year due to this problem. NOW I KNOW!!!