Acer Aspire 5601 ram troubles.

I have a Acer Aspire 5601 AWLMi notebook. I have recently ordered a pair of G.SKILL 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory. I have checked my documents that were included in my laptop and saw that the lpatop supports 667mhz and can have 4 gig ram in it, with dual channel support. So, I receive the package today, extremely excited that they finally came and began to open up my laptop. So I popped the new sticks in and threw the old sticks out. Now, I booted up the computer and saw that only 3032mb are reported to be system memory in bios. I found this weird because they are both 2 gig sticks. So I exited bios and noticed that past the post screen of my acer the laptop will not boot forward. All I see is a complete black screen. Now, I began to feel a bit angered by this whole affair and decided to take the sticks out and put them in opposite slots. Yet agian, I pressed the power button, went into bios and once more it reported only 3gig. Furthermore, I exited bios and the system restarted and showed me it's lovely post screen for the twelveth time. Yet agian I after post all I see a beautiful black screen and nothing else. Alright, I decide now to use the process of elimination to find the stick that is broken. I take one stick out and leave one in. I boot the computer, bios reports 2 gig of system memory and I reach windows easily. Now, I am sure that the 2nd stick is faulty, I still switch the sticks and leave the tested one out. I boot the computer up again it reaches windows just fine. So far I am baffled on how both sticks do not work together, but both work separately. I would really love to have some help on this issue, please help me I am completely confused right now.

Here is the link to the sticks:

Code:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231147

 

Well I just called acer and they brushed me off, saying that it is third party ram.

 

Call Acer again, this time ask them what is the maximum supported memory for the system. Do not tell them (yet) that you bought 3rd party RAM. If they don't say 4GB just like it says in the documentation then ask why. If it does indeed support 4GB then tell them you bought some RAM and the 2x2GB configuration does not work, etc.

If all else fails call them again, you will eventually get a competent technician who will actually listen.

If that fails again, demand to speak to a higher-level technician.

If that fails too, just return/exchange the memory for a more compatible one.

Edit: This might be useful: http://configurator.ocztechnology.com/result.asp?mn=Aspire+5601AWLMi&modelid=59741

 

Thanks for your reply, I will try to do this.

 

Update on February 18, 2008

There is a new BIOS (1.24) for the Aspire 9410 and it solves the problem.
I now have 3GB and everything works OK.

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I have exactly the same problem with an Aspire 9412WSMi. Specs say it supports 4GB RAM (533/666 Mhz). I got two 2GB modules from Kingston (KAC-MEMF/2 Memory/2GB Acer Notebook) and the machine recognized only 3071MB. I never expected to see the full 4GB, but this far too litle. Anyway, Windows XP boots and runs OK, except for the fact that ir never enters the graphical mode. I can perform a blind login and the system can be accessed from the network, everything runs but the screen, that remains blank. I've attached a second monitor, just in case, but there's no graphical output at all. And there's no error message at all. The system is apparently sending video output to nowhere...

The same thing happens with 3GB (2GB module + 1GB module). The problem disappears with 2.5GB (2GB module + 512MB module). I've tried with several disply drivers, but the problem remains. I suspect it is a BIOS problem.

Tried Acer support twice, but they appear to be clueless. Does anyone have an idea?

 

^ exact same problem as OP. i'm using 2x OCZ 2GB PC2-5400 667MHz DDR2. this one: http://www.amazon.com/OCZ-PC2-5400-667MHz-SoDIMM-OCZ2MV6672G/dp/B000RZ8WHG

really seems like a BIOS issue. anyone know what's the latest BIOS upgrade for the 5601?

thanks

 

I have exactly the same problem, does anybody know if flashing the bios with latest version will fix this? How do i find out what version of the bios I have?

If anybody got this working I would really like to know as i currently have a 2gb stick and 512mb stick in.

Thanks

 

Download CPUz, and in the mainboard page, see what BIOS version you have and what is it release date....

 

Thanks for that!! Crucial have also suggested I flash the bios..............

Well I tried to flash the bios except it is telling me the bios is not flashable! I am using winphlash as supplied, and it gives me an error code of -144. I take it the bios update supplied for the acer aspire 5600 is also compatible for the 5601?

I seem to have hit a brick wall with this one, any ideas?

Thanks

Chris

 

Yes, it should be compatible with the 5601....But don't take a risk if it does not let you proceed....
You can try and contact Acer regarding this....But if you are willing to take the risk - in the Advanced Settings, only check Verify block after programming and Disable Axx swapping automatic detection on the FLAGS page....

 

ooo i'll have a long think about that one might not be worth the risk just for the upgrade from 2.5gb ram to 3gb ram (i'm told xp only recognises that much?)

Thanks for the advice.

 

XP will recognise any where between 2.5-3.5GB, depending upon your hardware and BIOS....

 

I had the same problem with Acer Aspire 5601 AWLMi
Bought and installed 2 2GB Kingston 4200 (533) sodims.
BIOS was posting, but Windows won't load - black screen only after BIOS post.
Updated Intel Graphics driver and Chipset driver.
Updated BIOS to 3127 first - still did not work.
Found BIOS 3128 on the European support site.
Updated BIOS to 3128 - GREAT SUCCESS!

The Kingston modules I am using are KVR533D2S4/2G
but any 533 MHz RAM should work...

Good luck!

 

Does Acer Aspire 5601 AWLMi Drivers the same as Acer Aspire 5600 Drivers?

 

thanks all for posting. I had the issue with the 5601 and update the bios to 3128 and now I am good!!!