Question about upgrading my Japanese Vaio

Hello and thanks for reading my question!

A friend of mine purchased a Sony Vaio (Type F) VGN-FS33B Notebook while in Japan. Obviously, it is a Japanese model with a Japanese keyboard, MS XP Japanese OS, etc..

Oh, here are the specs (taken from the sticker in the notebook):
Pentium M 740 (1.73GHz)
512MB RAM
100GB HD
(thats pretty much all that is obvious to me b/c I dont read much Japanese).

Anyways, she was asking me about upgrading her computers RAM (we are in Canada) and possily even her graphics card (assuming she has one in this thing). Rather than going to Best Buy and buying RAM there, I thought it more prudent to search for some cheap RAM online. But after about 20mins of searching, the only site I could find that sold the VAIO FS33B RAM was this one --->

http://ec.transcendusa.com/product/...=SON00697&Select2=ModelID&action=bbclass&Cid=

Since there are many experts who roam these boards, I was hoping to get some direction. Whats my best option for upgrading RAM? Ideally, I would like to max out the RAM, but want to save her as much money as possible (obviously). At this moment it seems as though the best route would be to buy RAM online, then get Best Buy or some professional to install it. Ive been a PC user, until recently placing an order for my Sager 9262, so ive no experience with the innards of a laptop. What should I do, RAM-wise?

As a bonus question, what is a decent graphics card (that doesnt cost much, ie <$150) upgrade she can buy? Would it even be worth upgrading the graphics card with a budget so low?

Thanks again for taking the time to read my post. I will be checking back here often for her!

-Ithxan

 

Here is what I found

Translation

Your RAM is PC-4200/4300 so any speed DDR2 RAM will work it will just downclock. You should be able to install the RAM yourself, very easy. I don't know if BEST BUY installs other peoples RAM and even if they do if they are going to install you should buy from them in case something goes wrong.

You cannot upgrade GPU as you can't on most notebooks whether Dedicated or Integrated. But on yours a definite no go.

 

Powerpack,
thank you for your response! And extra thanks for providing both the 日本語 and English!

I checked out Staples today and they were selling "GB Micro 1GB DDR2 PC5300/4200 Memory" for about $80.

But online (see link above) I found 1GB DDR2 Memory for $27. Thats a pretty big price difference! Can I just plug in a 1GB stick of DDR2 RAM into my friends notebook and voila? (ill do a google search on installing RAM after this post). And what do you mean by downclock?

It seems that this laptop is hard to locate on the internet. Is that cause its Japanese?

Thanks for answering my noob questions!

 

Get it online, yes just plug in if using different size sticks sometimes the larger has to go in a certain slot but not a big deal, if problem just reverse. Downclocking only means if you buy 667Mhz RAM it will function at 533Mhz but should work fine. I think yours handles 533Mhz also called PC4200. Yes it is just put it in and all good. And yes I only found stuff in Japanese on this notebook.

 

Problem/querry solved.
Thanks again PP.

 

You might want to get that elsewhere! I'm in Canada too, and I bought a 2GB module for $60 including taxes. A 1GB module should only set you back about $30-40 tops! Places like NCIX.com or CanadaComputers should have much more competitive pricing compared to Stooples.

 

Thanks for the tip D3X!

 

Can someome please tell me if this RAM will work with my friends Japanese Vaio (Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-5400C4 2GB 2X1GB PC2-5400 DDR2-667 CL 4-4-4-12 240PIN Dual Channel Memory) ??

LINK- http://www.nxsource.com/products/221140/CORSAIR/TWIN2X2048_5400C4/

I know Powerpack said any kind of DDR2 RAM should fit, but I was confused about the # of PINs, and just wanted to double check before making a purchase.

Thanks!

 

That's desktop memory and will not work in the Vaio! You will need this, this, or this for a 2GB module.
Incase you're confused, it's 200 pin SO-DIMM DDR2.

What is the current configuration of memory in the Vaio at the moment? I would suggest a single 2GB module, allowing it to have 2.5GB total memory if your friend has currently 512mb module with an open Ram slot. If he has 2x256mb configuration, you can remove one of the 256mb and replace with the 2GB module for a total of 2304MB. Buying 2x1GB would not allow reusing your old memory as an option, but the costs would be approximately the same.

 

Thanks for the info! Glad I didnt buy the wrong memory.

The current config inside the Vaio is one 256mb with the other slot empty. I will follow your suggestion and buy one 2gb stick and keep the original 512mb!

Thanks for the links !!

 

ok,so I bought this http://www.nxsource.com/products/222573/Buffalo/D2N667C_2G/ 2gb stick of RAM today. I plugged it in - it didnt go into the slot very deeply , but ive pushed it quite hard and it doesnt seem to go in any further (insert perverted joke here).

Anyways, I rebooted and windows didnt tell me anything about new hardware, etc. So checked the device manager and it still says I have 512mb RAM. The computer seems a LITTLE bit faster...but I thought adding a 2gb stick would create a noticeable difference in boot times, etc. I have yet to try any programs yet.

So, should xp be recognizing the new RAM? Am I missing something?

Thanks a bunch!

 

I must have been looking elsewhere when this thread was previously active. The datasheet for the 915GM chipset says it supports up to 1GB modules. 2GB modules have only become affordable in the last year but now everyone is recommending them without proper consideration of the chipset's capabilities.

I suspect the computer is just ignoring the 2GB module (which is better than giving you a blank screen - the result of many RAM issues). You can check (i) what does CPU-Z report for the momory and SPD and what does the BIOS say?

John

 

Right, but take into consideration that the datasheet for the chipset was written at the time when only 1GB modules were available. ithxan, which brand did you end up purchasing and did you update your notebook BIOS prior to the upgrade?

 

Possible, but the one I linked to has April 2007 on the front. The 945 chipset will handle 2GB modules, but 915 is a generation older and may not have been design to handle the extra address range.

John

 

I linked to my purchase in my last post. The brand was Buffalo, I think. I didnt update anything, i just plugged in the 2GB ram stick and that was it. Should I update something??

Thanks for the responses! I *and my friend( really appreciate it!

 

ok so i ran CPUz and the extra 2gb stick I bought isnt recognized, its only reporting the original 512mb.　　I checked under SPD and when I select `slot#2` it says empty.

Is there anything I can do to get this japanese vaio to recognize the 2gb stick my friend bought, or am I SOL?

D3X- how do I update my notebook BIOS? Ill google it and see what I can find on the subject...

Thanks,
ithxan

 

here you go ithxan,

http://translate.google.com/transla...-009162-14.html&langpair=ja|en&hl=en&ie=UTF-8

Check if your current BIOS is R0094J1 or not. Not sure how, but try pressing tab on bootup and check the bottom of the screen for BIOS revisions.

 

Try this? No idea what they mean with "Bio" button or "Bio-settings".. Maybe it's the System icon in Control Panel?

 

Upgrading the BIOS won't overcome using a 2GB module if the real limitation is the chipset. Can you borrow a 1GB module from someone and see if that works OK?

John