Memory 5610-2013

Hello,
My laptop is equipped with pc2-4200(ddr2-533) but am wondering if pc2-5300(ddr2-667) will work.

Also do both sticks have to be the same size and speed? For example would a stick of 512mb pc2-4200 work with a stick of 1GB pc2-5300?

Thanks, Appreciate any feed back.

 

Lots of views, no responses...I'll try:

1. Yes, the faster speed memory modules are backwards-compatible. Get the ones that have better prices.

2. They MIGHT work!

They don't have to be the same size or speed (that is less likely the cause of any problems) but perhaps the CAS Latency should be the same, I don't know...that may not matter, either. You really just have to TRY them in your laptop and see if they work...that's the best way.

I say that because of a recent misadventure trying to upgrade (max-out) the memory of my 2005 model Twinhead N15RB higher-end laptop...

I bought memory that three online memory vendors said positively WOULD work in my Twinhead (Windows XP Pro)...they did not. It's specs call for it to support 2GB of memory, but try as I might, buying 3 different brands of two identical 1GB modules, the laptop wouldn't boot or I got random BSODs with both 1GB modules in it. I could run one, or the other, in either slot, but not both together. Once I ran two, and it only saw 1.5GB but did boot. Two PNY 1GB modules in it got it to boot, Windows showed it all being recognized and the laptop worked fine EXECPT for occasional random BSODs/reboots. Sent the memory back.

What a mystery.

This could have been the layout of the chips on the modules not being compatible with my Twinhead's mobo, who knows. The vendors didn't -- and they agreed that my Twinhead was SUPPOSED to suppport 2GB of memory -- neither did Twinhead Tech Support know why, so I returned the memory. I finally just went with 1.5GB just to avoid trying to find 2GB that would work.

Yes, the problem may have nothing to do with the memory, and it sure does seem that this Twinhead model does NOT support 2GB of memory -- which would explain everything -- but Twinhead checked the SN of my laptop and clearly stated it DOES support 2GB max. But I gave up on that and hesitate to try more brands. Right not I have one of the original 512MB modules in it (unknown brand) and one "Transcend" brand 1GB module...it works just fine.

I MIGHT get another Transcend 1GB module and TRY 2GB max again...but as I said, I am hesitant to do that.

But as for upgrading (maxing-out) my new Acer 5570, I took out the two 512MB modules that came with it and put in two 2GB of the SAME brand/SAME SPEED modules ("Transcend" again)...they work fine. I think it best, if you can, to get the same brand (whatever brand you shoose) and identical type of modules as this avoids possible compatibility problems mixing different brand/chip-layout modules.

So if you DO need to mix them up, all I can say is that the REAL test is actually puttig them in, turning the laptop on and seeing what happens -- regardless of what vendors or others may say what will work and what won't -- because it just may be that some mobos are picky about what memory you use, I guess. Or Gremlins cause it.

Good luck,

-- John D.

 

I've had similar issues as cloudcroft. I have an Acer Travelmate 2450 that is also supposed to support 2gb ram. I first ordered matching pairs of 512mb (1gb total) DDR2/667 from crucial and began experiencing random BSOD. I did not attribute this to the memory at first until I upgraded again to a pair of 1gb sticks (2gb total) DDR/667. The beast then reared it's ugly head:

1) Would not boot.

2) Switched memory pairs between sockets and then it would boot SLOWLY. Frequent BSOD's

3) RMA'd memory to cruicial who replaced the matching pair with a different matching pair (also DDR2/667) with Samsung modules. This helped, but not much. Returned for refund. Either memory stick would work in either slot, just not both at the same time reliably.

4) Am currently prepared to install a matching pair of 1gb sticks (2gb total) of Infineon memory modules DDR2/533 (waiting on UPS) and will post the results here.

 

madmtnmummey,

Maybe like some Acer laptops, there is a BIOS update that will make a difference. The Acer 5570 support (downloads) page lists a BIOS update to deal with "dual memory modules" (or something like that) but it doesn't say exactly what the flash is suppossed to fix re: the modules.

Don't you just love the no instructions/no details these support sites have? They can't even do the simple common-sense things...I wonder who designs these "support" sites.

[I THOUGHT I had a memory upgrade problem with my Acer 5570, found the cryptic "dual modules" update, flashed the BIOS with the update thinking that may have been the problem, but later discovered it may not have been a dual memory module problem at all, it may have been a coming out of Hibernation issue. And the Acer tech-support rep wasn't helpful.]

But other than that, yes, my Twinhead is pretty much like your 2450.

Hope you can get 2GB to work in it,

-- John D.

 

Thanks for your replies! That helps a ton!!

 

You're welcome.

Good luck (and same to me when I try to get 2GB working in my Twinhead),

-- John D.