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    Help!! Notebook Ram Upgrade Nightmare.

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Psilocybe, Oct 19, 2007.

  1. Psilocybe

    Psilocybe Newbie

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    Laptop: Compaq Presario C500
    Problem: Have purchased 2x 1GB PC5300 DDR2 sticks and my laptop will only recognize one of them. I have tested both independently and in both of the RAM slots on the motherboard. They both work fine by themselves but my system will only recognize one of them when they are both installed. I've checked my Bios, but it is less than useless. I've checked for jumpers but there are none that I can see. I've checked my upgradability information regarding this laptop and it supports more than 2gb. I have no idea what the heck the problem is and i'm beyond patience on this issue. ANY help would be immensely appreciated.

    Thanks in advance!!

    brian.
     
    Psilocybe, Oct 19, 2007
    #1
  2. fxrron

    fxrron Notebook Geek

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    Where did check for the amount of ram installed? I would download CPU-Z and check there.
     
    fxrron, Oct 19, 2007
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  3. Psilocybe

    Psilocybe Newbie

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    i only checked bios and the "My Computer" properties where it displays your system ram. i'll check out that program. have you heard of any vista issues w/ not reporting the correct amount? thanks!

    update:
    cpu-z reports from the Memory Tab...
    Type: DDR2
    Size: 1024 MBytes
    Channels #: Single

    wtf, its reporting that Slot#2 is empty. have you heard anything about having to activate slot 2 or something equally as stupid as that? ARGH!!
     
    Psilocybe, Oct 19, 2007
    #3
  4. Storm3016

    Storm3016 Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, but only above 3Gb with a 32bit Vista version. Normally Vista should support the added ram without a problem.
     
    Storm3016, Oct 19, 2007
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  5. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Another possibility is that your hardware is not functioning properly. RAM chips are hardly reliable components and are prone to defects before and after the manufacturing process.
     
    Bog, Oct 19, 2007
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  6. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    The HP specs for the C500 clearly state 1GB maximum RAM. I see the notebook has the Intel 950 graphics which suggests the Intel 945 chipset which can usually address more RAM (many notebook specs say 2GB but the full chipset can recognise 4GB). However, there could be a 1GB limit resulting from either a special version of the chipset of a restriction in the BIOS (but why??).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Oct 20, 2007
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