DDR2-533 -> DDR2-800 RAM Upgrade Question

I have recently been shopping around for some RAM to upgrade my 1GB DDR2-533 RAM memory to 2GB. I was, however, unable to find fair priced DDR2-533 memory modules. I instead bought a 2GB module of Transcend DDR2-800 RAM (which is cheaper than the available 1GB DDR2-533 and has the same price with an equally sized DDR2-667).

I've gathered my RAM details from the software, CPU-Z (text below) and have some questions about the upgrade:

I would like to know if would it be OK to install the old RAM with the new one as it appears my new DDR2-800 RAM module is running in DDR2-533 speeds?

Can I enable my new RAM to run at DDR2-800 speeds? Note: I can't find anything to configure the RAM timing/speed in the BIOS. I am also running the latest BIOS version available from the ASUS website.

Will it make a difference if I bought a DDR2-667 RAM instead (like in speed or compatibility with the old RAM module)?

Other details: My laptop is an ASUS A6R, Intel Celeron M. With 2 RAM module slots. 128MB shared memory for the ATI Xpress 200M graphics card. The OS is Windows XP SP3.


CPU-Z Info:

 

Try the new RAM module by itself and see what speed it runs at when it is not restricted by the old one. If it still runs at 533Mhz, it's just a chipset limitation.

 

The new RAM module is running by itself, with one extra slot free. So, I take it that it is a chipset limitation? Would it be OK to install the old DDR2-533 MHZ RAM with the new one as it appears my new DDR2-800 RAM module is running in DDR2-533 speeds?

 

Yeah, do it. You probably won't notice the difference with more RAM, but you might as well.

I just had a look and chances are that your laptop has a CPU with 533MHz FSB so RAM will also run at max 533MHz.

 

My internal DVD drive recently can not be detected after a RAM module change/upgrade. Both the BIOS and Windows XP cannot detect the drive. Is there any reason a RAM upgrade could have caused this? A setting I should have configured?

I changed a DDR2-533 RAM to a higher capacity DDR2-800 RAM. I noticed the problem happen immediately after starting Windows after installing the new RAM module.

My RAM upgrade details are in this thread: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=467989

 

Try popping out the RAM and then running single sticks.

Does it show up in device manager? Are there any signs of power to the drive?

 

Will try this later.

It does not show up in the Device Manager or in My Computer. The drive still lights up normally, though.

 

Just tried this and the problem persists.

 

It's likely unrelated. Try reinstalling the drive's firmware.