Aspire 5720z - 4gb ram??

Hi there,

I am having a problem with my laptop ram install.
I am running Vista (32bit), with 1.42 bios, was on the factory installed 512mb ram sticks. I have installed 2 x 2gb Kingston sticks from a kta-mb667k2/4g kit. But the issue is that I only see 2gb active on my system. And when I remove one module, I only see 1gb even though there is a 2gb stick in place. So with both modules installed I ran CPU-Z and it tells me that in each slot there is only 1gb in each slot - see screenshot.

CPU-Z also says:
Channels# - Dual
DC Mode - Symmetric

Any ideas on whats happening here?

Thanks

Stu

 

Well first off you have a 32bit OS, but if Vista is SP1'd then you should still see 4GB in the system properties (although not be able to use it all) I would suggest there is some compatibility problem with the dimms. I seem to remember a post on here about problems with DDR2 800 dimms, not sure if that also applies to large DDR2 667 dimms

 

It seems that the problem is in your BIOS which, apparently, has a 2GB limit(or 1GB per slot limit). Updating the BIOS should solve your problem.

http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/notebook/as_5720.html

Note: If you decide to go for the BIOS update as I suggested, make sure you turn off all programs which might be running in the background especially antivirus/anti spyware&malware/firewall reg monitor etc...

 

Yes I have Vista 32bit with SP1 installed.
I think the 1g per slot idea sounds likely. But I am already on BIOS 1.42 which is the latest so that cant be the problem. Shall I downgrade to a different BIOS version?

 

No. Downgrading won't solve the problem 99%...unless your current one is buggy but I don't think so. Maybe ACER don't have BIOS update to support 4GB yet...You should contact ACER and ask them directly if 5720 supports 4GB and if yes what you have to do to get it. I'm pretty sure it's BIOS's fault so if I'm right only ACER can solve this...

 

What chipset does CPU-Z say you have? From what I can see, you have the GM960 Express chipset which has a limitation of 2GB you cannot get around.

 

ok its the GM965 chipset.

 

I just noticed that you're using CPU-Z v 1.44. Please download the latest version of CPU-Z 1.47 to verify the chipset model. v1.44 can't detect GL960 and shows GM965. I'm sure about that coz it happened to me too. If the chipset appear to be GL960.. then @Greg is right. If it still appears as GM965 you should contact ACER.


Edit: I have the nasty feeling that the Z at the and of your laptop model - 5720 Z - means the budget version of 5720 therefore - GL960. My laptop is 5715 Z and it has GL960.

 

But the GL960 recognises 3GB RAM, when installed in a specific order, and detects the full 4GB, but gives BSODs with it. And the 5315 and 5720 use the same BIOS, I think.

@OP: Are you sure, the RAM you've got is 2x2GB and not 2x1GB, have you tried out the 4GB Kit in another system ?
Have you tried installing a different 2GB module in your system ?

 

They use the same BIOS alright, I checked(although I downloaded a 5720 BIOS and it refused to update). And the 1.43 available for 5315 and 5715 is NOT available for 5720(maybe this is ACER's fault it happened before). So..I have no idea what's wrong.

 

updated cpu-z and yep, I have a GL960. But if that should show up to 3gb then there must still be an issue. I will try the 1.43 BIOS from and see what happens
And they are definitely 2 x 2gb sticks, so I might try and swap them around or something.

 

1.43 is NOT available for 5720! If we're wrong about "the same BIOS" deal and you try to update your 5720 with BIOS for 5315 you can totally mess up your laptop!