RAM Upgrade issues

I recently purchased 2- 1gb pc5300 ddr2 sodimm chips for my laptop. I got random BSOD with vista ultimate 32-bit, exchanged for two other pc5300 same brand chips are identical twins.. down to the very memory modules. Now I get an instant BSOD.

Each chip will test 100% perfect when used individually regardless of which bank or in which combination I place them in, but as soon as their both installed I get an instant hardware error. Anyone out there that can help?

 

What system? And what CPU, GPU, Chipset? And are you saying system works fine with one stick?

 

It is a Toshiba Satellite A105-S2231
Intel Core Duo T2600
Ati 200m

The computer will operate fine with either of the chips installed 1 at a time will crash when both are present

 

Maybe one of the memory slots are damaged/broken. See if you get a BSOD by moving 1 stick between the two module slots.

 

both banks are fine, I have tested in the following order ( old ram works fine btw )

Memory 1- bank 1 alone, bank 2 alone, bank 1 with memory 2 in bank 2, bank 2 with memory 2 in bank 1

Memory 2-bank 1 alone, bank 2 alone, bank 1 with memory 1 in bank 2, bank 2 with memory 1 in bank 1

as long as their individual their fine like I stated above regardless of the bank their in but when I combine them both regardless of bank I get a hardware crash... ? very weird???

 

Does the computer also work fine with one new and one old RAM module?

Try reducing the graphics RAM allocation in the BIOS. This problem is a little similar to one encountered with the Samsung R20 which has the ATI 1250M IGP. See the last part of this thread.

John

 

Just for kicks does 1 new (1GB) and 1 old (512KB) work? And it should support 2GB's I looked up. And the standard response when we don't have a clue? Have you updated the BIOS?

 

I'm on the computer in question using one of the 1gb ram... lol but the old ram is pc4300 and I'd rather use the higher speed pc5300..... the mobo will accept up to pc5300

 

bios is on ver 5.4 the current offered from toshiba

 

John I'm suspecting the allocation of ram to the graphics chip but my bios does not support any changes in that aspect. it's probably done automatically?

 

The PC5300 RAM actually brings very little real life speed benefit compared to PC4200 provided the latter is CL=4 (use CPU-Z to check). So try using one old + one new module.

John

 

turns out not even geek squad could help lol, so I returned the memory..... now searching for decent memory to purchase, thanks all for the quick replies +rep to you all. btw if anyone has any suggestions for good notebook memory I'm open to all suggestions, Thanks

 

You could try Crucial. They have a 30-day compatibility guarantee and the prices include free shipping.

John

 

Crucial , GeIL, and G.Skill are on my list for possible replacements.....figured I learned my lesson and will be staying away from the cheap stuff, I'm just getting confused on memory timing and compatability with my board????? Looks like a long day on google

 

Heres a question hoping for a second opinion.
When utilizing the original processor 1.6Ghz Celeron @533mhz fsb the memory recomended by Crucial was max 2gb PC4200

Since I recently installed a 2.16Ghz Core Duo @667mhz fsb Crucial is now recommending PC5300 4gb max, I'm not running 64 bit os or intend to in this system so 2gb PC5300 is what I'm after, crucial states my motherboard supports Dual channel so a Dual channel kit is what I'm shopping for. Based on what I've stated above am I on the right track or am I over looking something?

btw: crucial, after scanning my Pc believes it to be 2 models above what it really is which is part of my concerns.

 

The link I gave to Crucial is to the modules recommended by the Crucial memory advisor for your model. That says maximum RAM 2GB and PC4200. Normally I would say that PC5300 would work fine but I'm wondering whether changing the CPU and having a faster FSB has caused your computer to have a migraine when given faster RAM.

As I have commented previously, there's not much performance boost between PC4200 and PC5300 - far less than the numbers suggest. In real life it is likely to be the difference between 2800MB/s and 3000MB/s.

Joihn

 

As John is stating, reason 667Mhz is 25% faster than 533Mhz. But CL5 is 25% more than CL4, more speed more latency less speed less latency kind of equals out to some extent. What brand of RAM was not working with two sticks in?

 

The original ram was kingston value ram pc5300 the memory timing showed 5-4-4-12 in everest ultimate the stock memory is the same.

I could definately notice the 25%, multi tasking was seemless using the first batch of memory ( minus the random bsod ) I am however ordering Gskill 2gb dual channel kit tomorrow morning, the timing is 4-4-4-12 and Cas 4 ( stock 5-4-4-4-12 cas 4), so hopefully this should solve my problem with the memory upgrade... unless someone can tell me otherwise

 

I say try it, but as John has said looks like you may be facing stability issues and lowering the CL pushes in the direction of less stability as a rule (so does speed). DDR2 has higher CL than DDR because it must for stability. If the engineers had their choice they would always just increase speed not latency but they don't have that choice. Why does it work fine with one stick? Well stability would explain. When you are pushing the limits any added stress is likely to push you over the line. Dual Channel is trying to get two sticks working in sync lowers the margin of error vs 1 stick. But go ahead and try your idea if it does not work I think your best chance is to follow Johns advice PC4200. Good luck.

 

Try that Gskill RAM provided you can send it back. Let us know if it actually CL-4 @ 667MHz or the more normal 667MHz RAM which is CL=4 @ 533MHz. I recall discussion about some CL=4 RAM which fitted that description.

John

 

memory ordered and should be here thursday, will keep everyone up to date as to how it all goes

 

Memory arrived ( thank the man upstairs ) and installed working beautifully so far, lavasys everest reported the memory to be running at 4-4-4-12/20-34-3-4-3-3@333mhz honestly donot know what it means but I'm assuming it has a cl of 4 and is running at the reported 667mhz since it's ddr2???? hopefully no more bsod

 

2hrs later I get a BSOD LMAO! Well right now I'm running one of the new chips and one of the old and no problems since then but I only have 1.5 for memory, called newegg filled rma and will be trying again soon lol. will be buying one pc4300 ddr2 2 channel kit and just for the hell of it will be trying 1 2gb chip pc5300 to see what happens.....

 

What about trying PC5300 w/CL5 it should be more stable than the CL4? And happy to hear you are laughing others might be crying if in your shoes.