How to increase 5920G RAM ??

Hello

I am a "silver surfer" who is starting to enjoy "playing" and "tweaking" my Acer Aspire 5920G on pre-installed Vista SP1 as a little hobby to pass the time

So far I have confined myself to dabbling with software and Vista itself but am now thinking about becoming more adventurous and upgrading the RAM from present 2GB to 4GB.

Firstly, is this a worthwhile upgrade bearing in mind I do not run any particularly intensive applications? In other words will I notice a performance difference in,for instance, boot times etc ?

Secondly, a few months ago I think I saw an article or thread in this Forum explaining how to increase the RAM in a 5920G and containing a couple of very useful diagrams.
Could someone also please give me the link ?

Thirdly, is this an easy thing to do for a beginner like me ?

Many thanks in advance for help and assistance !!

 

to upgrade ram on a new system I usually to do a youtube search for a video. Someone always demos how to install ram on just about any system.

 

It may be benificial to upgrade the ram. I'm guessing you have a 32 version of windows, if this is the case 4gb may not be worth it as due to the limitations of a 32 bit operating it will only utilise between 3 and 3.5gb of the RAM, so upgrading to 3gb may be better, but it's up to you!!!

First you will need to find out what RAM you have in there already. Whether it is 2 x 1gb stick, or 1 x 2gb stick and what speeds. This can be done by using a program called CPUZ (Download Here). Run the program, then click on the SPD Tab, then this will tell you what is in each slot.

Basically you need to take the cover off the underneath of the Laptop. There are 9 screws on the cover. Then you will need to be very careful in taking the cover off as they are not the easiest of things to take off.


The 2 screws highlighted in yellow will have 2 small black stickers over them

Once the cover is off you will see the RAM slots. This is where they go. Basically you will need to put them RAM in the slot (it can only fit one way) and gently push down on it and it will click into place, (pic below, 2 metal prongs highlighted below will click into the RAM to hold it secure).



If you need more info or help don't hesitate to ask.

 

Thanks guys - I'm very grateful to you both.

bangert, the diagrams are exactly the ones I vaguely remembered and will help me a lot.

I take your point about installing 3GB instead of 4GB but, using the little drop-down memory advisor tool on the Crucial website makes sure I will buy exactly the right type of memory, even if it means paying a little more for the "extra" 1GB or so.

please see
http://www.crucial.com/uk/?gclid=CJPAq6GAjpcCFQ4i3god6j6pDA

jjgoo, I had a look at You Tube and there are several very helpful videos there which make me think the upgrade is within my somewhat limited technical capabilities.

I hope I'm right but, in case not, please keep an eye on this thread over the next few weeks !!

Will revert with news about how I get on.

Bye for now and renewed thanks !!

 

Buy a 4GB Memory even though on a 32bit system can only show 3-3.5GB
I would advise you to buy a 4GB kit (2X2GB) of DDR2-667 memory

Something like this CL4 (less CL on the same speed is better) GSkill is the best option for only $50
I still can't post link because of my low posts number
but at newegg it is Item=N82E16820231154

 

Hello again

Sorry to bother you guys again.

I bought a 4GB RAM kit (2x2GB) from Crucial using the memory advisory tool on their website to ensure compatibility.

I think I installed it correctly - at least my 5920G laptop is working as normal as I post this !!

But my Vista system is still showing only 2GB

I tried re-booting several times. Also tried updating my Windows Experience Score. Still shows 2GB.

Is there any way to "make" Vista recognise/show the extra RAM I have just installed ??

Also, a related question - even though only 2GB shows is the system actually utilising the extra ? Its difficult to tell from my casual browsing but it seems a little more responsive (but of course this may be my imagination fuelled by wishful thinking !!)

Would greatly appreciate further help/guidance.

 

Hi

Can you download CPU-z and check the Memory Tabs. Also how much memory does your BIOS recognize?

Try the following:
Click Start > type in MSCONFIG > Boot tab > Advanced Options > Tick Maximum memory and set it to 4096 > Okay > Apply and Restart notebook.

 

K-Tron had a slightly different solution here.

The fact that the laptop is still working is a good sign. Good job on the upgrade!

 

If these don't work maybe a bios update??

 

Tried the msConfig route but ran into a problem.

After ticking the Maximum memory box I tried to increase to 4096 by using the little arrow on right but found I could not make it move. Despite clicking arrow it stayed at 2048. I then typed in 4096 and re-started etc. Nothing changed so went back along same route and find even if a type in 4096 it remains at 2048.

I ran CPU-z with following results:

FSB : DRAM 3.5 (possible )

but in General section perhaps less optimistic as it says Type: DDR2 Size 2048MB Channels Single (possible )

Further down it says SPD Slot 1 OK with details but Slot 2 Empty with no details (possible )

I'm not very familiar with the BIOS - how do I get into it (is it by tapping F2?) and is it safe for me to do it ?

Sorry about my lack of knowledge!!

 

Press F2 just as you switch the computer on, while the acer logo is showing.

To update it you need to download the latest bios upate from acer.

Edit: When you go into the bios how much memory is it showing there, under the main tab i think. Also, might be worth just quickly making sure tha RAM is seated correctly inside the machine.

 

Check the second stick is inserted properly. If not you have a faulty stick of ram.

 

in the BIOS it says

System Memory 640KB
Extended Memory 2046MB
Video Memory 256MB

I am surprised to hear that I might not have inserted the 2 memory sticks correctly as I was careful to put them in exactly the same way as the 2 original ones I took out and I heard 2 distinct clicks.

Its possible however I did install them incorrectly - are there any common mistakes I may have made in inserting them ?

Which is the second stick ? Top or Bottom ?

How do I get a BIOS update from Acer ? Do I install this just as I would for an ordinary program or driver ?

I was under the impression that Crucial was one of the leading memory suppliers. How common is a faulty stick from them ? Before I get in touch with Crucial what else can I try ?

One last question - are we sure my 5920G allows greater than 2GB RAM ? Is the fact that I cannot increase the maximum memory above 2048 relevant (see above) ?

Once again apologies for all my questions.

 

The 5920 should recognise 4gb.

To update the bios, download the latest version:

ftp://ftp.work.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_5920/vista/BIOS/v1.3813.zip

Unzip the folder. You will then need to go into the . SWINFLASH folder and run swinflash.exe. Make sure the option Backup Bios and Flash Bios is selected. You then need to direct the program to the bios file (in the box specify new bios file) which is ZD13813.WPH which is contained in the zip file.

Once this is done select flash. Make sure your laptop is plugged into the mains, close all other programs and don't turn off the machine while it is flashing the bios.

Proceed with caution when updating your bios, if it goes wrong, you may not be able to boot up the computer.

 

No worries about the questions, jj. Better to ask now than when your system is non-functinal.

From what I can tell, it sounds like you installed both correctly (DDR2 modules can only be inserted one way thanks to the notches in the pins), but that one of the modules is outright defective - that's why it's not showing in your BIOS.

As for finding out which stick is defective, test each by only putting one at a time in your system. It will quickly become clear which stick is kaputt.

BIOS updates are trickier than driver updates, because it involves rewriting the most important information your system has. If something goes wrong, and the BIOS update fails, you WILL have a bricked and useless system.

Crucial is one of the leading memory suppliers, but they still have a certain number of modules going out that are defective. Thankfully, they do have a lifetime warranty, so you can get a replacement easily.

The 5920G is definitely capable of 4GB of RAM - Acer's own specifications state so!

After making sure that the RAM module is indeed defective, I'd go ahead and contact Crucial for a replacement. In the meantime, put back in one of the 1GB modules and run on 3GB until the new 2GB comes back.
Only do the BIOS update if both modules work when used separately.

 

Yes, good point.

The reason I've said a bios update is there was a thread somewhere, about someone putting 4gb and they had to do a bios update before the system recognised all 4gb. But i can't for the life of me find the thread.

 

bangert, I appreciate your input about updating the BIOS update but, in view of my limited technical knowledge and the fact that this laptop is the only pc I have in my house (and therefore access to further help will be difficult if BIOS update goes wrong), I think I will postpone this action for the time being.

TehSuigi,I think its an excellent idea, especially in view of my comments above, to test the new sticks and try to go with 3GB meantime with one of the originals in place.

Hopefully be back later this evening with news of how I get on !!

 

Sounds good, jj!
We'll be here for ya.

 

Excellent news - after shuffling the memory sticks around I now have 3GB RAM recognised by Vista, CPU-z and a couple of my other programs !!

As luck would have it, the correct combination was the last one I tried - at least now I'm more expert in removing battery, opening back cover (the most difficult thing in entire operation, I might add !!) and inserting RAM memory sticks !!

I will contact Crucial for a replacement stick but a couple of last questions - is it really worthwhile increasing to 4GB ?? Will Vista at least recognise 3.5GB do you think ??

 

Glad to hear you've got the 3gb recognised, bios update not needed after all, which is good.

Will vista recognise 3.5gb???? Unsure about this one, the only way to find out would be to try, different laptops have different results, anywhere between 3-3.5gb.

 

What bangert said - since the graphics card memory and other things are included in the total 4GB that can be addressed by a 32-bit operating system, the amount of RAM that gets used can vary from 2.8 to 3.5 GB when 4GB is installed.

Of course, you could always upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows so you can use all 4GB of RAM, but that costs $$$.

I'm running on 3GB myself, and everything is smooth as silk - haven't run into an instance where I run out of RAM yet.

Congrats on figuring everything out, jjscotman. Feel free to stick around and learn more from the community here on NBR - there's a wide variety of tweaks that can help make your system run better.

Allow me to happily add to your rep level.

 

OK - I understand the situation better now. This question of Vista 32 bit only recognising 3GB was confusing me as I was not sure whether the word "recognising" was the same as utilising in practical terms.

I thought it might actually use 4GB but recognise less.

Thanks to the help and guidance I got from all you guys, this exercise has been extremely valuable to me - not only am I increasing the amount of RAM my 5920G but I am adding considerably to my knowledge of computers.

Many thanks to you all for your patience and guidance !!

Bye for now !!