Memory upgrade problem / Toshiba Satellite M100 laptop

I bought a brandnew Toshiba Satellite M100 series laptop a few months ago, which came with only 512MB RAM running WIN Vista Home edition - but performance is very poor of course.

The 512MB module must be under the keyboard, as there is one vacant slot at the bottom of the device.

I was wanting to upgrade using a 1GB Kingston memory which I have bought over the Internet. It appears straightforward to install, however when I want to restart the machine it does not boot.
It perfectly boots once I remove the new memory, which I thought might be an indication that this memory is in fact faulty.

I actually checked with TOSHIBA before purchasing this particular memory module and explained that I have currently 512MB in one slot.

However, I have just read this in Toshiba's user guide:

"Insert the two memory modules of the same specifications and capacity into Slot A and Slot B respectively. The computer will operate in dual channel mode. You can access the inserted memory modules efficiently in dual channel."


Does this mean that it would not work because I cannot use 1x 512MB and 1x 1GB at the same time?

Neither a local Computer shop nor TOSHIBA pointed me to this if indeed this might be the problem.

What do you think?

 

Make sure you have the correct memory for your laptop. Most laptops use PC 5300 memory modules. Your configuration should still work with (1) 512 and (1) 1GB stick.

You could have received a bad memory module. The best way to test it out is to remove the 512 memory module and replace it with the 1GB stick. If it doesn't boot then the memory you received is either not for your machine or it's bad.

p.s. in a configuration like yours I would run the 1GB stick in slot 1 and the 512 meg in slot 2. That way most of the memory access will be performed on the 1GB stick.

 

if you have two different memory sizes you will not be able to take advantage of the dual channel ability as you have already mentioned.

however, using two different sized dimms should still work, it would just be slower. try getting the ram exchanged.

 

Your computer will work absolutely fine with 1 x 512 and 1 x 1024 sticks installed together. You just won't have Dual Channel (128 bit memory bus) but you will instead have Single Channel ram (64 bit memory bus). As far as your computer not running with the new ram, can you give us the model number on the sticker of the stick of RAM you want to install? This could help us solve your problem with the ram if it is simply the wrong type or something.

-J.B.

 

Hi J.B.

Sticker on memory stick says:
KVR533D2S4/1G (Kingston)
1GB PC2-4200 CL4 200-Pin SODIMM

My laptop is a TOSHIBA Satellite M100, Model PSMAAA-020006.

I had checked with Toshiba support prior to purchasing this module, they also said they recommend Kingston.

 

Which slot is which? Slot 1= bottom of laptop and slot 2=under keyboard?

 

I would say that your slot 1 is where the current 512mb stick is installed.

Slot 1 - under the keyboard (512mb installed)
Slot 2 - bottom of laptop (empty)

The 1gb should work fine, though you may need to install in Slot 1 and move the 512mb to Slot 2.

 

im interested on how this works out

i have a toshiba laptop and i am wanting to upgrade it to 1.5 or 2 gb
and KVR533D2S4/1G kingston ram is also the exact model i want buy.
not gonna pay $340 for a stick of kingston ram from toshiba

how much did you buy your stick for? the place where i want to get it from $43CDN, cheapest around in ottawa

 

I will let you know how I am going - will work on this tonight (it's 3pm here local time in Brisbane AUS) and open up the keyboard and replace the 512 for the 1G and see what happens (I hope that's gonna be all easy - I am not too experienced with these things, but it should be easy following Toshiba's step-by-step instructions - hopefully

I paid $44AUD for it plus $12AUD for postage, it originated in Hongkong.

 

Thanks, will try that out tonight and let you all know how it went.

 

Can you please help me determine how to remove the keyboard of my laptop? This is not well explained or illustrated in the User guide. Local Toshiba support won't be available until Monday. Thanks.

 

http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Satellite-M105/take-apart-notebook-1.htm

try that

 

Take a look here. It's not the same toshiba as yours but it should give you the general idea of how to remove your keyboard. By step 5, you should be able to see the memory module. Hope this helps.

 

Hi guys,

thanks for the link, however that Toshiba laptop model (Satellite A55) has a wide keyboard strip that appears to be easily removable...however mine has no such thing, ie. just thin borders around the keyboard. I really don't want to break anything, it doesn't look easy if one doesn't know exactly where to lift - if indeed there is anything to lift.

Also, I am getting concerned about electrostatic discharge, as described on that author's website, I have never done this (removed the keyboard or disassembled a laptop) and this one is only 3 months old with full warranty, which might become void if I fiddle around with it?)

Do you reckon I should go to a Toshiba Service Centre and let them figure out if the slot at the bottom of the laptop might be faulty? If it isn't, wouldn't that be proof that the 1GB Kingston memory module that I bought is faulty?

Rodknee: Why do you recommend to place the 1GB under the keyboard where currently the 512meg module sits, and the 512meg one in the slot at the bottom of the laptop? You said that this way most of the memory access would be performed on the 1GB stick, but why is that? Don't the two sticks work together as one unit?

 

I would take it to the service center seeing that it's under warranty. You don't want to mess something up and void your warranty.

 

Here is a pic of an M100. Enlarge the first picture and you can see that your keyboard securing strip is about an 1" - 1 1/4" thick. See the breaks on the border at the top left and right of the keyboard. The panel above those breaks is what is called the "keyboard securing strip" according to the previous link I sent you. You need to remove that strip, to access the screws that secure the keyboard.

The keyboard securing strip is usually a tight fit, but with a small straight blade screwdriver (ones for eye glasses or just alittle bigger) you can easily & carefully pull it off, starting form one side making you way to the other side. Usually it is just held in place by small plastic tabs, but on some models there are can be screws on the back side of the hinges that hold down the hinge covers. Some models incorporate hinge covers on their securing strips, like my daughter's Toshiba M35X model.

I've torn apart and rebuilt many laptops and have never used a anti-static wrist strap and have never had a problem. Not to say that it can't happen, but if you properly ground yourself prior to working on the laptop and try not to do anything to cause a static build up (ie: rubbing you feet on carpet) it should be ok.