1gb upgrade and 512mb chip only showing up as 1gb

i recently got a memory upgrade for a laptop and i installed it a 1gb and it already had a 512mb card but it only shows up for 1gb of memory why is this is there a way to fix it?

 

Where does it show up as 1GB ? BIOS or windows ?

Try to reseat the modules, if that doesn't work, switch the module's slots.

 

in windows i tried reseating and switching slots with no luck

 

What chipset? What CPU? What RAM?

 

Is the new ram high or low density?
High density ram is usualy cheaper than low density, but it down side is it's not supported by all computers

When not supported, a computer will use half the sizeof a hign density ram module; in other words, only the chips on one side of the memory module will be used. Those in other side will be ignored.

Try to run your PC with only the 1gb module, and post back

 

the system is a toshiba satellite a135 s2276 i do believe and the ram is http://www.buy.com/prod/crucial-1gb-pc2-4200-533mhz-200-pin-ddr2-sodimm-laptop-memory-crucial/q/loc/101/202292355.html
i removed the 512 it still reads 1gb

 

for some reason the 512 module and the 1gb one are incompatable.

Did you try to swap them around? if the 512 was in slot 1 andc the 1Gb in slot 2, then try the 1GB is slot 1 and the 512 in slot 2.

 

yes i've tried it both ways so they are incompatible?

 

I think so. Are they both of the same type? I mean both PC4200 or something?

By the way what laptop do you have and what CPU do you have?

 

as i said its a satelite a135 i think they're both pc4200 it says under properties it says genuine intel cpu t2060 @ 1.6Ghz 1.20Ghz

 

I thought that incompatibility issues between memory modules are over now. Ram incompatibility was quite common with SDram. But is seems that it's the case here.

When/if you buy another 1GB, get the same one as you have now.

 

Ignore me if you want? I asked the three most important questions. CPU, chipset, RAM. All I know is what RAM you bought? I did not ask the questions for kicks. It will help if you answer and shorten the thread. Consider?

 

The OP provided the computer make and model so Google leads me to this.

My experience is that ATI chipsets tend to be fussier about their food than the Intel chipsets.

John

 

OK John yes he did provide. I just wanted them to do a little work. AMD do not as John said play nice with other sized chips. I would expect it to be recognized but maybe not Dual Channel?

Not so many AMD guys on this site. I would wait for input from them.

 

I don't have an AMD CPU but the ATI X200M chip. I have 2 modules a 512 MB one (PC5300) and a 1GB one (PC4200).

No problem

 

Try out a BIOS update if its not the latest version, it could help. (Be careful when updating the System Firmware)

And can you confirm that both are PC2-4200 modules or different ?
Also, what do CPU-z and task manager say about the physical ram.

(Probably the GPU is feeding of the system memory when more than 1GB is installed.) <- Just a guess !!