Compaq Presario V2000Z Memory Conspiracy!!

I am RMAing the crucial cas 3.0 stick in favor of the OCZ 2.5 stuff. just trying to squeeze every extra fram out of the 200m!

 

Sounds good.

I'll post my results as well when I receive my 1GB stick.

 

just got it today, its still runs at cas 3.0... when are you getting yours? id like to know what yours does

 

On newegg I saw CL 2.5 rating on OCZ, but funny how I can't find the 1GB PC3200 sodimm on OCZ's website. I'm getting mine shipped to me sometimes next week, will let you know.

 

I noticed that too, Im guessing the OCZ isnt cas 2.5. mines running at 3, im not sure what to do about it. it says 2.5 on the sticker though. the ram SPD info in cpuz states its micron memory but its using infinity (spelling?) chips not micron. the mfg says its OCZ though.. strange....

 

So because of this thread, I checked my M2105US

And same thing - 2x512 PC2700 Kingstons, running at PC2100.

NO new BIOS after F.06 listed on the Compaq/HP sites.

Called Compaq, they are looking into a new BIOS revision (yeah sure).

 

Actually be glad it's the Infineon chips.

With the Micron 5B-D chips, I've had those on the desktop side. They're the biggest pos ever. They run really hot, and they seem to die every few months. These are the chips they used on the Ballistix. Mine are dead, don't even wanna RMA it since they're so junk. 2 of my friends has already RMAed those because of memory errors, one has RMA-ed them TWICE already.

The SPD of it might be 3, but use A64 Tweaker to see if they'll run 2.5.

If not, I would contact OCZ and ask them what the problem is.

 

Yes, they arent aware of the F.0A bios for some reason. you need to do the procedure here to get it to work at ddr333 by flashing it with the new bios.

 

I just ordered the Compaq V2000Z the other day, but only with 256MB of memory. I had planned on replacing it with 2 x 512MB PC2700 Kingmax. Funny thing, Crucial's site gives PC3200 as the upgrade instead of PC2700. Now I'm confused. What am I supposed to get, PC2700 or PC3200? My other option was getting a 1GB stick of PC2700 Crucial... any suggestions?

 

M2105US
New F.11 BIOS

Downloads

 

I think we should have this in another thread to avoid confusion among V2000 users and flashing the wrong bios.

 

Most PC3200 will have a SPD settings for DDR333, so they'll work for sure. I would get 1GB stick, just to leave the extra option of upgrading. (Which I might since I'm using 2GB for desktop, so mind as well )

BTW, AlphaFox, my 1GB stick haven't arrived yet, seems to have some problems in shipping. Will let you know when I receive it.

 

I will have to try that new bios tonight, maybe it will fix my cas problem. OCZ wanted me to ship them the stick, so im hoping that bios update will fix it. good find!

 

I spoke with Alison at HP, shes over at the resolution center I believe. I explained to her the bios issue, which isnt really an issue anymore as there is that new official bios, and also about the timings being set to T2 instead of T1. she was very glad I called and complained about the indians. j/k. she was glad I gave her all the info I did and she said she would submit it and hopefully they would take care of it. im thinking that if a lot of people called and requested T1 timings be enabled as well as having a memory section in the bios we may get better results. so, call Alison at 877-917-4380, press 94 then 1. reference case # 7324451966 and tell them you would also like to see a memory timings area in the bios and explain how much of a difference T1 timing makes for performance #s. (400mb per second in sandra) hopefully there will be a new bios that will have all the changes we want!

 

Hi all,

Been lurking around for a while, following the memory conspiracy, and noticed the new BIOS posted on HP's site today.

Good luck with it; I personally had to go back to F.06, as it won't boot with my Corsair sticks, but ran at 160MHz on the 2x256MB factory ones, according to CPU-Z. Tried the trick with F.0A with the same results before this version showed up, so I was hoping they would work.

Wondering what would be the best course of action: RMA'ing the DDR400 for DDR333 from Corsair, buying another manufacturer's (Crucial and OCZ seem like the best to go with) and eBay-ing the Corsairs (I'm out of Fry's cash refund window, and don't have the reciept anyway, rrgh), or just wait-n-see if a later BIOS revision will allow the Corsairs to work, and at a better speed.

 

F.11 does work with my PC3200 stick of OCZ ram, howerver its dated 8/4 and F.0A is dated 8/9... there is a new bios option called battery performance or something and you can set it to max batt or performance... my cas timings are still wrong at 3.0 instead of 2.5, but at least there is an official way to get DDR400 to work.

 

So... can the BIOS for a M series be used on a V series? I have a AMD Turion baised machine.


Thanks

 

Wait for the official release of your version. If it was out for one, it will be for others. I only posted to let people know to look, not really saying to cross-flash.

I waited until Compaq listed my own M version, I didnt try to other version listed earlier.

 

That could be the built-in memory controller of the chip.
PC2100 CAS2 / PC2700 CAS2.5 / PC3200 CAS3
Is the default "safe" speed. It just might be that the chip needs to set it to those, for 3200 speeds to work. Even if the memory is rated for faster, the CPU memory controller isnt.

Just a thought. It might just be a Hypertrasnport "bug"

 

I didnt cross flash either, it is available for my version too.

 

I guess, I just think its crappy bios programming though

 

you still have not gotten your 1GB stick??

 

On my tracking number, apparently they got my address wrong, so it's been shipped back, and OCZ is shipping me another one. (plus offered me a little gift, don't know what it is yet)

 

Enjoy your new T-Shirt and or baseball cap

 

F.11 upped my speed to DDR333. Now we need T1 timings.

 

T1 all the way baby!!!!!

 

With BIOS F.11

Corsair PC3200 DDR 400 1GB VS-1GSDS400 - Does not Boot
PQI PC3200 DDR 400 1GB MD421GUOE - Does not Boot

Patriot PC2700 DDR333 PSD1G33316S - Boots and runs fine at 166MHz - as expected.


Good Luck, moving on to the heavier DV4000 with x700 card.


Warhammer999

 

The laptop does work at 3200 speeds, perhaps yours is messed up or something. did you try using the F.0A bios?

 

For all those interested, go ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software5/COL11789/ob-35379-1/sp31213.exe
to get the F.11 Bios for the V2000z

 

I get really confused here. I have a v2000z with 2 sticks of RAM and they r running at 133MHz now. Should I upgrade the bios to F.11? Anyone tried? Does it works ok?

 

also would like to know. Will this bring it to proper speed of 166.

 

Thats what the thread is talking about.. the F.11 should fix the speed issue so they run at 166

 

My question was really stupid . Bought a custom v2000z and the bios update was not shown under v2000z CTO.

Has updated the bios to F.11 and my 2x512RAM (kingston+stock) are running at 160MHz now. Super Pi results been improved too.

Thx a lot.

 

I bought 2 sticks of Corsair 512MB DDR3200 for my V2000z

http://www.chiefvalue.com/app/productdetails.asp?submit=property&item=20-145-506

(This is newegg.com sister company or something like that).

My bios is F.11 and do not have any problems. But by default it is running at CAS 3.(I am running at T1 timings) I ran Memtest86 for 4 hours without any errors.
Ran PCMark many runs and Prime95 still running. No problems sofar.

BTW my SuperPI timings have improved by 4 secs( from1 min 47 sec to 1 min 43secs for 2M). Hoping CAS2.5 improve even more.

But I cann't set cas 2.5(On website it says CAS2.5). screen is getting weird if I set it to CAS2.5.
Not only that even CPIUD reads it as CAS3 at DDR400 speed.

Any pointers on why it is so?

 

Alphafox...I'm about to buy some memory. I'm going with crucial 3200..please inform me
on the difference between 2.5/3.0 . and wich one I sould get? what's this t1 timings you praise so much about, is a bios option from hp in the future? thanks for your time.

 

Okay, I did some research. Though it is mentioned as CAS 2.5 on many websites for Corsair memory, it is actually CAS 3 as per Corsair. As per Corsair white papers, T1 (or 1T) command timing is more cruial of all, even more than CAS latency. They say the average real world difference between T1 vs T2 timing is arond 3-5%. But as per bench marks like Sandra etc, that is more than 5%, almost as much as 15% improvement. Where as CAS 2.5 vs CAS 3 difference is about 1-3%. But again as per the docs I saw both Crucial, Corsair support T1 timings. But By default HP bios is taking 2T to play safe.

I ran Prime95 for more than 8 hours and Memtest86 for 4 hours with two Corsair 512MB DDR400 stick and everything is rock stable on V2000z bios F.11

 

What did you do with the original memory cause I'm about to the same. And ... which is the primary memory slot of our notebooks (because I know that the video card takes its memory from it)?

 

Hmm, I am not sure. I did not think about which is first as I replaced with two sticks.

what you can do is, you can check with CPUZ or Sandra by filling one stick. They tell you which slot is populated and details about that memory.(see the attached image for CPUZ SPD Tab).

BTW I sold my DDR333 memory on craigslist for little cheap.

 

Im about to purchase a v2000z turion but after reading this thread im worried - is this memory thing something i should be concerned about - what do i need to do bout this whole BIOS thing? im confused - im up for putting in 1gb of ram what else should i do?

 

Also is it just easier (however more expensive) to just get more memory when ordering the laptop - what do i really need to do if i get aftermarket memory?

 

I also use corsair mem stick (but it is 1GB one and is PC2700, not 3200, I was not sure if it is working back in mid Aug). the bios was F1.0A (now I use F1.1), With F1.0A, the system does crash if I put the 1GB on the top (2nd slot, high end address, that shares by the xpress 200m card). But after I swap it to slot 1, and let the original stick in slot 2 and share with the graphic card, everything works fine ever since, the mem run at cas 2.5 and 159.2

I have no idea if F1.1 fix the above hiccup or not, I think the hiccup is an issue in between the graphic card and memory stick.

If you already have mem stick and try to reuse, I'd worry, Otherwise, I'd not (but do ask around before shopping or breaking the mem packaging ).

 

im still confused on how to upgrade my own memory - exactly what is F1.0A? If i have hp put in just one stick of 256 and i add in a gb after how do i do it?

 

I am not sure what your question is exactly?

Anyways I will try to answer.
There is nothing you need to worry about.
You should be able to use Corsair DDR400 (3200) Ram either 512MB or 1GB stick without any problems along with your current HP stick you got. Only thing is memory will run at same speed as HP memory(at DDR333).

Where did you get this F1.0A? is this bios revision? Any V2000z laptop bought since last two months(atleast since last 45 days for sure) has latest bios.

 

F1.0A is the BIOS version came with my laptop, your laptop may come with F1.1 or later version, you can flash them if HP website posts newer version.

Memory can be swapped quite easily by open the memory compartment lid (that marked with "M")

 

F1.0A - It is a BIOS revision. A BIOS is the inteface between your hardware and software. HP do release updates to fix some bugs and other issues.

Upgrading the memory is pretty easy. HP has this nice video which explains the process. It should be similar for the V2000z or any laptop which has a memory module placed underneath the laptop.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...cc=us&dlc=en&product=425558&docname=c00293581
(although they show a different laptop, the whole basic rocess should be similar)

 

That was the BIOS came with my laptop in mid Aug, this BIOS release date was actually few days later than F1.1 (something like Aug 9 versus Aug 5, the laptop is not here in my office), after some dice flippings, I still end up burned the F1.1 that can be found on HP website (for V2310)

 

ok thanks everyone -
so to upgrade memory - im about to purchase v2000z with just one 256 then i'll add in another 512 or 1gb. What manufactures do you recommend? i've seen the Corsair one online, are there any other ones or is this one a good one to order?

Im reading the article on how to install it yourself and it says to use an anti static wrist strap and bag -- im a gurl - dont exactly repair computers here! if its too much of a hassle to order memory and install it maybe i should just pay the extra money and get it thru hp?

 

I saw atleast 4-5 guys(including me) installing Corsair DDR400 RAM and running without any problems with current bios, and it is the one of the cheapest DDR400 laptop memory. Crucial charges almost 1 1/2 times to 2 time. Why to bother with anything else? http://www.chiefvalue.com, newegg.com and zipzoomfly.com have this memory and these are reputed online stores.

 

Hello - this is an AWESOME THREAD - why isn't it a sticky???

My L2000 ML-37 was running at 133 - running 2GB PC2700 RAM originally configured by HP - (F.06 Bios) updated to F.11 - now running at 159.5 ..

anyreason (maybe the PC2700?) why I can't make 166 ?

Thanks!

 

I think it is because the bus/memory divider. bus is 800mhz, so at divider 5 it runs at 160mhz. where as with DDR2100(133.333) it runs at divider 6.