Can I use two different size memory modules in the laptop?
I upgraded the memory on my laptop from 1 256mb card to a 512mb card in slot a and put the 256mb card in slot b. I have a toshiba A45 S120, do i need to take the 256 card out for it to work at 512 pace, or does it matter that i have two different size cards in the slots?
Toshiba Satellite A45-S120 laptop has two memory slots available for upgrades. This model will accept up to 2GB. You should use PC2100 DDR266 memory modules. You do not have to remove the 256 memory module. It is perfectly fine if you use two different size memory modules in both slots. If you use 512MB in slot A and 256MB in slot B, the laptop should recognize 768MB installed. You can use 128MB, 256MB, 512MB or 1GB modules in each slot. Another story would be with the memory speed. Your laptop is designed for PC2100 (266MHz). Most likely you can use PC2700 (333MHz) module but it will clock down to 266MHz and you memory card will run at PC2100 pace (266MGz).
May 5th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Will,
This laptop can take up to 2GB memory total (up to 1GB module in each slot). You don’t have to buy new memory for both slots. You can leave the original 512MB module in one slot and install 256/512/1024MB module into the empty slot. Just make sure use the correct type: PC2700 DDR 333MHz modules.
Kingston is a good brand.
May 4th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I have a Toshiba Satellite M55-s3292 laptop. and misplaced my paperwork for it. i currently have 512 mb ram and am looking to add more in my extra compartment. i just want to know if i have to buy new ram for both slots or just the empty one? and what is a good brand to purchase that wont cause any problems slowing down my laptop or other performance?
April 13th, 2008 at 8:38 am
hi lee or any geeks outhere
i have the same laptop (compac presario r3000)with u. i wanna replace my memory with 1 gb. but i realized both banks has 256mb, so all in all i have 512. Can i just replace one 256 on slot 2 (underside of the laptop) with 1gb and will it work?
let me know please. thanks in advance
April 3rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
dear freak,
do i have to change the memory in both slots on my compaq presario r3000 or is it possible to just change the memory under neath in slot 2 which is very easy? is it possible to install 1gb card in there?
regards
lee
March 30th, 2008 at 2:14 am
can i put more than the manufactured recommended maximum ram in a laptop?
March 25th, 2008 at 3:04 am
the motherboard in my laptop supports only DDR1 RAM. initially i had only 2- 128 MB RAM of 266 mhz frez. but recently i upgraded it to 1 GB RAM of 400 mhz freq.now one slot is vacant can i use 128 MB RAM in one slot even if they are of different freq’s or will it hamper the processing.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:58 pm
what happens if i install more than the recommended ram into a toshiba tecra 8000…specs say max 256 i want to go to at least 512
February 13th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I have a Dell Inspiron 2650 Inspiron with a Celeron processor and one 128 meg pc2100 marked as a 133 MHz memory module. I replaced the existing module under the keyboard with 256 meg pc2700 memory and installed a matching pc2700 module in the underside. On light / No Boot.
I went back to original configuration. Boots as usual. I reinstalled the pc2700 memory. On light / No Boot. I did not attempt individual modules. My fingers were getting numb from handling little screws.
Could my issue be that the pc2700 memory speed is unsupported. With great expectations, I ordered pc2100 memory but, as before, I will probably receive pc2700.
Self-installed dual boot / dual partition
Windows XP Pro
Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
January 19th, 2008 at 10:18 am
I need to upgrade my memory in my hp pavilion dv5122ea, i have 512MB of memory in one slot is it ok if i add another 1GB of ram in the other slot, or i need to have 2 ram with the same capacity…..
January 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Hello World
First rule is verify you know what you got. Don’t think you do. Go check. Go to the website of the manufacturer of your laptop and check the memory types and quantities and memory slots that your laptop contains. Also check your bios settings and download any manuals that explains its features, especially those having to do with RAM.
If the specifications say that the part you bought is good then the 2nd Rule is go fishing for the next best thing if it doesn’t work at first. As always turn off the laptop first and touch some metal table legs or the floor before touching internal components.(just discharge all the electricity you might have build up.) Then try the following things listed below one at a time and turn on the machine to see if everything is
OK…
-Take out the memory and put it back in again
-Trade slots with other memory if you have 2 slots
-Test each memory by itself in each slot
-Take memory back to the store for replacement
-Take memory back to the store for a different brand
-Take memory back to the store for a different size
-Call the laptop manufacturer and order the memory from them, yes it costs more, but at least you have the right part that the manufacturer says is correct.
-Get a new laptop without the stupid memory problems
HAPPY HOLIDAYS
November 24th, 2007 at 6:23 am
I do have Dell Inspiron 1000 laptop. Brought PC2700 to upgrade it. As per steps suggested on this site (like remove D screws and open strip)… I have done that it doesn’t work. I removed all screws and even then the strip doesn’t come up. When I tried to remove Keyboard securing strip with thin object, the strip stretches out … sounds like it is breaking up. Any suggestions, please to upgrade memory.
Thank You
November 20th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Laptop Freak (sorry, don’t know your name:)
You said that PC2700 is 333Mhz
I have two RAM modules – 256MB DDR PC2700 166Mhz
What is the best upgrade for me? Should I look for 166Mhz or can I install 333 or 533? Is it compatible and does it bring any benefit?
If my Laptop has two RAM sockets and supports up to 1024Mb, can I use 1 1024Mb memory or does it has to be 2 x 512MB?
Thank you in advance for the reply!
October 28th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
I tried to upgrade my Dell Inspiron 710m memory from 1 GB (2 X 512) to 2 GB (2 X 1GB). I bought a Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) PC2-5300 667MHz 200-pin SODIMM DDR2 Laptop Memory from Buy.com. Surprisingly the new memory doesnt fit into the socket. The nick present in between the pins (200 pins) is 1 mm close to one end (I compared with the one in my note book which has PC2700 DDR SDRAM SODIMM memory). Do you think this is a manufacturer damage or problem, or this new crucial memory doesnt support my notebook.
October 17th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Hello, I have a HP pavilion ze4900 & it has broke again (and I think it’s my ram).
This has happened to me before, where I would just have my computer on & running with programs and a blue screen with white text appears.
and it looks like:
http://www.nilpo.com/pub/images/Windows_XP_BSOD.png
Last time, someone repaired my computer by replacing a ram stick (256mb)
Right now i have 2 (256mb); one that was replaced & one that came with the computer
& the blue screen of death has come back again.
At this point, what should I do?
&& if i were to replace the ram, would you recommend upgrading up to a 512mb? (for one slot)
ThankYou!, HenryT.
October 11th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Dickson,
I think that one of the memory slots is bad. I’ve posted some suggestions here: Laptop freezes when I install second memory module
October 10th, 2007 at 5:48 am
Hi There
I have a problem with my Laptop. I have got a Compaq Evo N1020v and recently bought a new PC2100 512MB Memory Module. I replaced my current 256MB one with the new one and it works perfectly. When I insert the 256MB in the second slot the memory increases to 768MB but while working after about 30 minutes the computer freezes, the mouse pointer even freezes and Ctrl + Alt + Del, does not do anything, it stays frozen. I thought that it might be that the memory is not compatible with each other so ordered another 512MB from MemoryX. After inserting the new one, the computer works for about 30 minutes then freezes. After changing BIOS Settings nothing helps. What I have noticed is after the first time I restart after it has frozen, the computer already freezes at the login and does not get further, after another restart the computer freezes before even getting to the login. After taking out the one 512MB the Laptop works perfectly again. Could you please help me as I dont know what is wrong.
Thanks
Dickson
October 4th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
Carlos,
PC2100 memory is DDR226.
PC2700 memory is DDR333.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:48 am
I have a question,
I have a PC2100 laptop that use (DDR 333) 256 memory card.
can I install a DDR 333 for PC2700?
Thanks
July 28th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Esteban Garbajal,
You are correct, it’s there. Toshiba Satellite A70 and A75 has only one memory expansion slot ans it’s located close to the wireless card.
You can install up to 1GB memory stick, use PC2700 DDR333 module.
Tips for upgrading notebook memory.
July 26th, 2007 at 7:04 am
I have an Satellite A75-S229 and I want to install more RAM. I believe the port to add the memory is under the same cover as the wireless card but I’m sure. Is it? If not, where would it be?
July 21st, 2007 at 3:05 am
Hi this is a bit off topic of memory, but I have a Satellite M35x S111. I recently had the whole system board replaced and top cover courtesy of Toshiba, but I wanted to ask what was the correct driver load order for my model?
This question has been published here.
March 5th, 2007 at 1:55 pm
I have a HP Pavillion zv5000 and I tried to upgrade my Memmory from 256mb with an additional 512mb in the available slot. After inserting the additional 512mb and turn on my computer, nothing happens on the screen. All I see is the light indicating that the computer is turned on, and that’s all. When I removed the upgrade, it came back on. I reinstalled the upgrade and it went dead again. Is there something I am doing wrong?
February 15th, 2007 at 8:50 pm
Matt,
I think you should try cleaning the slot, if it doesn’t help you’ll have to replace the motherboard. I’ve published your question here because I think this problem is not rare.
February 15th, 2007 at 6:08 am
Hi
I have a Sony PCG-FX101 Laptop – standard memory was 64mb. I upgraded this sometime back by installing an additional 256mb module. This worked fine for a long time, but recently combined with some OS issues on my laptop, only the 64mb module is recognised.
I have swapped the modules around and both work in the same slot fine – i therefore suspect that 1 slot on the board is faulty / disabled.
Is it possible for 1 slot to become disabled? If it is faulty, im assuming there is little that can be done?
Your thoughts appreciated, matt.
February 8th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Tyler Rafferty,
Toshiba Satellite A65 notebook has only one memory slot available for upgrades because the motherboard already has 256MB or 512MB integrated RAM. The memory slot available for upgrades is located on the bottom of the notebook and you can get an access to it if you remove the cover, as it shown on the step 1 in this teardown guide. You can install 256MB, 512MB or 1GB memory stick into this slot. If the slot is already occupied by another memory, replacing this module with a larger one is the only option you have.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Firstly I think that your pictures and descriptions are great! Okay now for my problem, I sold a toshiba A65-S126 to a friend and he wants to upgrade the ram. He bought two sticks of 512 DDR Ram. Do I need to remove the keyboard and such to access the slots? He opened up the panels on the bottom and he said that there is no slots. PLEASE HELP. Thanks.
February 7th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Kutan,
It will not be difficult to find another PC2700 DDR memory module. Usually any computer store has it in stock. You cannot install DDR2 RAM into your laptop, it’s not designed for this type of memory and actually the memory slot is different. DDR2 memory will not fit into the slot on your laptop. You should look for a PC2700 module.
February 7th, 2007 at 10:16 am
Hello again,
Yesterday Toshiba released a new Bios for my laptop(V2.10). Installed it but still the same result. It looks like there is no 512 mb module inside, only a 1024 mb. I also tested starting up speeds and it looks that my laptop starts up and works a littlebit faster if I don’t insert the 512 module together with the 1024. When I only insert the 512 mb module it starts up very slow which is normal as that amount is way to less to let all my programs work. Anyone ideas?
Thanks in advanve. Mika
February 5th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
Hi,
I have a Toshiba A50-543 which comes with a Samsung 512MB DDR PC2700 ram. (I think I’ve said it right, here’s the picture. I want to upgrade it to 1024MB ram but I don’t have much choice. It would be very difficult to find a same type ram. Would it be ok if I bought a DDR2 ram with high frequency? (like 533MHz) or shold I look for a DDR, and would a higher frequency than 333MHz do the job? First replies says it’s ok but a friend of mine said that he tried and it failed. Thank You…
February 4th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I updated bios (to V1.9 i believe)one day ago with the same result. I have allready been fighting with this issue for a few months but no way I can find a solution. Maybe the vendor of the 1024 mb put another sticker with another speed on it. If it wouldnt be the same working speed, should it then be normal to see only the 1024 module? Yep Mine supports 2Gb ram.
Mika.