How to Repair and Upgrade an HP Pavilion Computer

Certain parts of HP Pavilion computers are just like other computers. However, HP Pavilions are different from other computers in several areas. These idiosyncrasies of design can make your life very difficult if you try to upgrade or repair your HP Pavilion computer with off-the-shelf parts. These design elements are proprietary; that is, the design is unique to HP computers, and requires an HP part to be properly upgraded or repaired.

When repairing your HP Pavilion computer, you should never attempt to repair a broken part. It simply won't be worth your time, effort and risk. Just send the old part to a computer or electronics recycler and replace it with a new one. In most cases, you should replace a broken computer part with a faster and more advanced part. However, you can also cannibalize parts from another HP Pavilion computer. You can often get a second hand HP Pavilion computer for cheap or for free. Even an old or broken HP Pavilion computer is a good source of working parts. By cannibalizing, you can often avoid the expense of purchasing brand new HP computer parts.

Before you get started, make sure you have the user manual for your HP Pavilion computer. If you've lost the manual, you can download it from the HP website by searching on the computer's model number. Also get the computer's specifications while you're on the website.

Unplug the HP Pavilion computer from the power source. Then remove all the cables from the back of the computer and transport it to a clean workspace over an uncarpeted floor.

Typically, HP Pavilion computers have thumb screws at the back. Depending on which model HP Pavilion you have, these will be either on the right or the left. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws on the opposite side. Remove both side panels from the HP Pavilion computer. Then check the user manual or the inside of the HP Pavilion for instructions on how to remove the front panel. The drive assembly on an HP Pavilion computer differs somewhat from other brand computers. All HP Pavilions have a drive cage which you can use to install the hard drive and CD and DVD drives.

Before you touch any of the internal components in your HP Pavilion computer, make sure that you ground yourself on an unpainted portion of the computer chassis. This is very important for preventing any damage to the computer from electrostatic discharge.

Repair or Upgrade RAM on an HP Pavilion Computer

When installing RAM on an HP Pavilion, you have to make absolutely certain you get the type the HP recommends. The correct memory to install is listed in your user manual or in the product specs page for your model HP Pavilion on the HP website. You will need to know whether your Pavilion takes SDR (Single Data Rate) or DDR (Double Data Rate) RAM. Most newer HP Pavilions need DDR RAM. You will also need to know the speed and how many pins the RAM should have. In most cases you should purchase unbuffered, non-ECC SDRAM. Copy down the RAM specs and take them with you to the electronics store or keep them handy while you shop for memory online.

In some cases, the memory you purchase will not fill all the available slots in your HP Pavilion. If this happens, you will probably be required to install the memory in specific slots. Check your HP Pavilion's user manual to see which slots the memory should be installed in.

Repair or Upgrade a CD or DVD Drive on an HP Pavilion Computer

On HP Pavilion computers, CD and DVD drives are typically proprietary. There is a drive-opening mechanism on the front of the HP Pavilion's front panel. This must line up with the eject button of the CD or DVD drive for it to function properly. If you don't replace or upgrade the CD or DVD drive with an HP drive, you may have to remove the drive opening mechanism entirely, defacing the computer and increasing the risk that dust will enter the computer. This is one instance where cannibalizing a component from another HP Pavilion would be well worth the effort. It may even be worthwhile to purchase an older HP Pavilion to get the parts, especially if you don't need a fast drive. However, if you need the drive to have certain features, you're probably better off ordering the part directly from HP. Install the drive in the 5 1/4 inch drive cage and secure it with electronics screws.

Repair or Upgrade a Hard Drive or Floppy Drive on an HP Pavilion Computer

In most cases, the hard drive and floppy drive should both be installed in 3 1/2 inch drive cage. In most HP Pavilion computers, this will be below the CD and DVD drives. If you want both a hard drive and a floppy, you will have to have two 3 1/2 inch slots. If not, you will have to do without the floppy drive or install an external USB floppy drive. There are several HP Pavilion models that don't come with a floppy, and doing without this type of drive shouldn't be a handicap if the computer has a CD drive and a high-speed USB port in front. Also, make sure that the front panel mechanisms will fit over the drives you install. In the case of the floppy drive, there may be an opening mechanism like the one that installs in front of the CD or DVD drive. Make sure that the button on the opening mechanism lines up with the button on the drive before you purchase a new drive. A standard floppy drive may work, but keep all the packaging that came with the drive in case it doesn't. The floppy drive is another good part to cannibalize from another HP Pavilion.

After you've physically installed the new drives, connect the IDE cables, which are long and grey or black in color. Then insert the power cables. These are white with small metal connectors on the inside, and are keyed so you can't put them in the wrong way. You may also need to connect an audio cable from your CD or DVD drive to the sound card on your computer, depending on the model.

These steps will help you to repair or upgrade most of the parts of your HP Pavilion computer that are unique to the model. Other parts in HP Pavilions are typically installed the same way as on other computers. If you need any additional information, check the HP website or support forums page.