putting 4gb of ram in the hp dv2500t

Just ordered a dv2500t a few days ago, its shipping by june 6th.

ordered t7300 (2ghz) santa rosa
GM965 chipset
webcam/fingerprint/imprint
100gb 7200rpm (not an option on hp, putting it in myself)
4GB DDR2 667MHZ ram (not an option on hp, putting in myself)
x3100 graphics

remember that the gm965 chipset can hold up to 4gb memory (2 dimms), not 2gb like hp sais - also, it can have up to the t7700 (2.4ghz), also not on the website

got the cheapest memory and hd on the hp site since im upgrading on my own

total came to $1350 - INCLUDING 4gb of memory and 100gb 7200rpm- found an ebay auction for 4gb of ddr2 667mhz ram for onlu $230!! what a deal!!

will be posting my review of when i get it!

 

Try not double post.

 

problem with that is that if you are using vista, it most likely wont utilize the four gigs.. i think its a vista bios issue.

 

No 32 bit Windows can handle more than 3GB of RAM. You need to go x64 on this one if you want to use all 4GB.

 

does xp 64bit have the same bios problem as vista (as said above)?

are there any dissadvantages of 64bit over 32bit?

 

expect compatibility issues here and there.

 

64bit Vista has alot more drive incompatibility issues (or in some cases, driver non-existance issues) than 32bit Vista, which already is known for not-too-good driver support. However, a 64bit OS is necessary if you want to use more than 3.2 gigs of RAM.

 

I don't mean to spoil the party but the dv2500t doesn't support 4GB of RAM - only 2GB:
http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...e&a1=Usage&v1=Travel%2Fmobility&tab=specs

 

Unless you're seeing something that I'm missing (which is entirely possible), that sheet appears to merely list the available configuration options on the dv2500t. Just because they don't offer it, it doesn't necessarily mean it isn't supported, does it? I thought 4GB support was determined by the mobo?

Edit: Ah, sorry, I see the maximum memory expansion line now. I wonder why they don't support 4gb? It would only be the bios limiting it, right?

 

Yeah just 'cause the chipset supports 4 gb doesn't mean that the motherboard/bios will. (Although it might work.) Additionally, you need a 64-bit OS to actually be able to use more than about 3.4 gb or so.

 

Here's what I was looking at on the HP specifications page:

Yes memory support is determined by the motherboard. I know that with the last generation of Centrino Duo notebooks, while the 945 chipset was capable of supporting 4GB of RAM, there were some notebooks like the Sony VAIO FE that were restricted to 2GB. I believe that is a manufacturer-made decision.

 

but why would a company do that? so does anyone know if 4gb is supported in hp dv2500t or any of the home laptops form them?

 

I am waiting for my dv2500t and know it has the GM965 chipset, which allows for 4gb of memory, however was told that although the chipset allows it, the motherboard may not.


does anyone know for sure if the motherboard will allow for a 4gb upgrade even though the hp website doesnt allow the upgrade

i dont care that much, cuz i will cancel the order and get a laptop that allows 4gb because i have 2 2gb sticks waiting to go into a santa rosa laptop

 

if it doesnt, it'll blow

myh dv2000t is maxed out at 2gb and it sucks for the future....

 

well the dv2000t shoudl have a chipset that also allows for a 4gb upgrade, have u ever tried? (regardless of what hp tells you) half the website i have read have said that 2500t really accepts 4gb and not 2, and the other half dont mention 4, only 2


i have looked for hours and half the websites say that it is expandable to 4gb and half just say 2 and nothing about expanding it higher. does anyone know? hp just keeps telling (when i have called) that they only sell 2gb.

please help

 

well tech support is saying they dont know for sure and i dnt know anymore, please help

 

HP already said the maximum was 2GB on their website. You can check your owner's manual for furtherer proof.

 

New F.25 Bios for the dv6-9000t says it is to solve a BSOD problem when two 2GB sticks are installed. this kind of indicates that they do support 4GB.....who knows

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...n&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3224055&os=228&lang=en

 

I guess the only way to see is try it yourself. You should have got the 2gbx2 sticks from newegg, so you can return it if it doesnt work. :/

 

has anyone put 4gb of memory in any of the dv2000-9000 or the dv2500-9500?

did it work, etc?

if one of those work, thats all i need to know that they will all work

 

At this point, you might get more responses in the HP forum. Have you tried searching there? I'm pretty sure the question has been asked concerning the dv6000t.

 

theres no way the dv2000-9000 will be able to see 4GB 'cos of the i945 chipset.

i'm not 100% sure with the 4GB in the dv2500-9500. I can only tell you that the 2GB single stick modules should work in all the laptops that u mentioned above. I am currently running 3GB of ram in my dv9008tx and has no problems, but i have not tried 4GB of ram 'cos i won't be able to see the entire 4th GB anyway.

the only choice is for you to test it with a 64 bit OS really. if it doesnt work out just sell 1 of the 2GB sticks and get your self a 1GB stick to run 3GB, or u could simple keep the 2x2GB and run the OS with 3.2~3.4GB. if it does work out u will see 4GB instead of 3.2~3.4Gb.

 

I thought the i945 chipset would support 4gb of Ram? I'm almost certain it does. You'll still need a 64bit OS, but many computers with the i945 chipset advertised 4gb upgradeability.

 

nope, even if u install a 64 bit OS it won't work. i have never seen a post where someone actually was able to see all 4GB of ram with a notebook that has the i945 chipset.

heres an example where someone had actually tried on a laptop that was advertised as being able to support 4GB of ram: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=121815&page=3&highlight=dv9000t

 

hmm well the new bios for the dv6-9000t says it fixes a fault whereby you get a BSOD if you have two 2GB modules installed.

so what you are saying is that it will run 4GB but even if u have a 64bit OS it will only see 3GB? sounds weird to me...

 

i know about the new F25 bios. yeah, it'll probably fix it up so taht it can boot, but you won't be able to see the entire 4Gb of ram in windows even if that windows is 64 bit. did u read the link i posted?

if you think its untrue then just try it. if it works then this will be the first time a laptop with i945 chipset can see the entire 4GB of ram thats been installed. and all it took was a firmware update. i'm sure alot of people will be happy to hear about it.

 

hmmm yeah I did, I posted in that topic lol

yeah it seems like it wont see 4GB, who knows maybe that new bios is a fix....

 

Windows Vista 32-bit can see 3.24GB. What operating system do you have?

 

i think he's just worried that even with 64 bit OS he won't be able to see the entire 4GB of ram.

since (according to your sig) you have a i965 laptop with 4GB of ram, maybe u can tell us if u see the entire 4GB of ram in your vista ultimate if its the 64 bits version.

edit: ah, just noticed that u have not got the T4220 yet.

 

If I were to try putting 2 x 2GB RAM in the DV2500T (in order to have 3GB usual, 1GB taken up by system), which sticks should I use?

 

well i am waiting for the dv2500t also and i plan to put 4gb but with a 64bit operating system, all 4gb will show up, not just 3, the chipse gm965 (which is in the dv2500t) - allows for 4gb and a 64 bit windows will show it all.

am i glad that HP is wrong because i have literally talked to over 10 reps and technical support stating that 4gb won't work in the dv2500t.

i just bought off ebay 4gb 200pin 667mhz ddr2, any 200pin ddr2 will work but u should use 667mhz or 533mhz

my dv2500t - t7300 2.0ghz, 4gb 667mhz ddr2, 100gb 7200rpm, x3100 graphics, webcam, fingerprint reader - will ship june 6th

 

How much off eBay? Crucial wants $530 for that...I think I will pass.

 

never looked at the hot deals section of the forum?
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=121363

 

yah ebay has them for about $250, same for deals - they used to be over $1000 but now they have seriously dropped in price

anyoen else that has put 4gb of memory in a dv2000t-dv9000t or a dv2500t-9500t, please post with results

 

shoot, even getting 3gb into my dv2000t makes me happier!

 

Excellent..thanks for the tip!

 

I think we are all waiting on you to se if 4GB works in the DV2500T (either seeing 3GB in 32-bit Vista or all 4GB in 64-bit Vista.)

On another topic - what's the definitely answer of using a pagefile or not on a Vista laptop with 2GB RAM? I ran XP with no pagefile and 2GB ran without issue, unless I opened up a tons of stuff.

Vista seems to use the pagefile a lot, and I'm wondering if I should zero it out, or just let it manage it and put up with the delays/thrashing.

 

Can you mix and match 1GB and 2BG sticks (ex. 3GB), or do they need to be matched pairs?

 

nope they can be different sizes

 

Thanks...now the question:

I am using Vista 32-bit. I will likely not go to 64-bit untill the driver and app issues are resolved, which may be a year or so.

I have 2GB now. Should I just buy one 2GB stick, swap out one of the 1GB sticks, and have a total of 3GB, or should I just put 4GB in (2x2GB).

Costs is not an issue, but rather use - Since Vista 32-bit can only use 3GB (user/apps), does it make sense to put in 4GB? Does the 1GB that Windows sucks up for the system/kernal make a difference? Or should i just put in the 3GB and go that route.

Thanks in advance.

 

If cost is not an issue, go ahead an put all 4GB in. You'll use slightly more than 3 GB, so there will be a minimal performance gain, and you won't have to worry about upping the RAM again.

 

So Vista BIOS won't support 4GB?!?!?!???? I thought that was down to the BIOS chip in the motherboard?

Interesting...

 

yes it is down to the motherboard and BIOS limitations

as for 3 or 4GB well that is up to you, you will get about 3.25GB if u install 4GB but for normal usage anything over 2GB in vista is overkill

 

I find that I bump the 2GB plenty, so 3GB won't be overkill.

I was mainly wondering if that "lost" 1GB helps the system at all, or is it truely unused.

 

it isnt used

what happens is that the system takes the RAM in your card and other places and subtracts it from 4GB and the remainder is what you usually can utilize as your max system RAM. so some may have 3.25 some might have only 3GB recognized. the rest is just not recognized so it cant be used

 

just to let everyone know - 4gb works flawlessly with the HP dv2500t and any other dv2000t-9000t or newer home laptop

using it right now with 64bit, shows all 4gb. 32bit version only showed 3.00gb

 

Thanks to kickace for letting us to know 4gb memory works with dv2500t.

it wasn't clear that if we would able to use 4gb memory.Because some forum members said it might be impossible to use 4gb with dv2500t due to motherboard chip or bios limitations. Since you tried it , we know; we can run 4gb memory.

Thanks for trying 4gb memory and sharing the result with us.

i was trying to decide between lenovo t61 and hp dv2500t. Pros of lenovo t61are decicated graphic card and supporting 4gb memory.

Finally hp released dv2500t with geforce video.And kickace proved that we can run 4gb memory despite hp says maximum 2 gb memory.

I think it is time to order dv2500t.

 

Damn, RAM prices are falling fast!

$180 gets your 4GB laptop memory now...down from $250 a few weeks ago.