Memory upgrade HELL!

[Eagle5US]

OK memory gurus...as easy as this probably is for you-I suck at it (even worse than NDD )

HAD 256 MB x 2 in my SONY VAIO
Purchased 512MB RAM chips x 2. Install went fine. Everything GTG.

Proceed to upgrade OLD laptop in Daughters classroom-ALSO SONY VAIO:
-currently has 128MB RAM chips x 2 (max capacity is 512MB)
-remove 128 x 2; install 256 x 2 from my VAIO
-Computer fails to turn on

RE install original 128 x 2
-Computer fails to turn on

This proces continues for about 30 minutes.
THEN, with 265MB x 2 installed, computer turns on!
But only registers 256 in slot #1 and EMPTY in slot #2

Attempt to install 128 in slot #2-computer turns on, but still registers 256 only in slot #1

GO BACK to 128 in both slots-computer fails to turn on and repeat earlier frustrations with every combination in both slots until FINALLY it turns back on again.

Current config: 256MB x 2- recognized 256MB x 1

HELP PLEASE!

(non computing MoFo)Eagle

[gits]

Are the sticks all the way in like do all the notches at each end lock in place?

[gits]

Are the sticks all the way in like do all the notches at each end lock in place? (not sure if laptops have notches for installation)

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by gits

Are the sticks all the way in like do all the notches at each end lock in place? (not sure if laptops have notches for installation)

Yep-thanks!

Eagle

Sounds like a fried circuit or something. Perhaps static electricity may have knocked it out? (could be a lot of things)

Have you checked both 128 sticks in slot one of the old laptop? If it detects either one, try with the other in slot two also.

If memory slot two is gone, it is very possible that it screwed the memory stick that was in it at the time, in the same process.

[Eagle5US]

Holy Smokes...

With the 128MB sticks I cannot even get to a blue screen. The HD whirs up, then whirs down. That's it. Doesn't matter which stick I put where, there is no action at all out of the processor.

I have interchanged the 256 sticks in the slots-either one works, but only one slot is recognized.

The system came with 128MB x 2 installed, I am thinking it needs that much just to run (1.6 Mhz P4).

If I fried a memory "slot" somehow-is that pricey to fix???

Thanks-

Eagle

[hoepoe]

Hi

I'm not very versed in the way of laptops, but i do recall that memory sticks/cards may be specific to models and makes of laptop, not universal like workstation memory.

Hope this helps somewhat

Hoepoe

I just remembered something, if no RAM is installed, BIOS should whine by beeping and then turn the system off.

I.e., when those 2x128 MB are not detected the system should have been beeping. Not that it really matters...

Obviously, both of them seems bad - though I guess you could try them in the other computer.

If it does, a possible solution is one 256 stick in the old computer, and 256 + 128 MB in the new one.

Fixing the memory slot would entail replacing the motherboard. This is because it's hard to pinpoint where exactly the problem is (the slot? memory controller? minor circuit?) and because even if you could, it's probably both cheaper and way easier.

Hope that helps

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Martin

I just remembered something, if no RAM is installed, BIOS should whine by beeping and then turn the system off.

I.e., when those 2x128 MB are not detected the system should have been beeping. Not that it really matters...

Obviously, both of them seems bad - though I guess you could try them in the other computer.

If it does, a possible solution is one 256 stick in the old computer, and 256 + 128 MB in the new one.

Fixing the memory slot would entail replacing the motherboard. This is because it's hard to pinpoint where exactly the problem is (the slot? memory controller? minor circuit?) and because even if you could, it's probably both cheaper and way easier.

Hope that helps

Awwww shit


I have the 256 x 2 installed and it works. I'm not going to mess with it anymore.
I have the 128 x 2 sitting in the little silver packages.

No beeping, just a brief whir then nothing.

These things do great things-then I had to go and mess with the bugger.

fetchin yikes.

Eagle

[Kyobanim]

Damn, I missed all the excitement.

Laptops are nice until something goes wrong, then they suck. They are a pain in the ass to work on because different problems have the same sysmtoms, wardware wise.

First thing to do is clear the bios. The simple way to do this is to remove all batteries, including the itty bitty one connected to the mother board. There is a keystrokc combination that you can use to do this but I don't know what it is for a Sony, try their tech support page for that one. If this doesn't allow the other slot in your daughters laptop to work then you'll need to replace the main board. If you can remember where all the internal body parts go during surgery you can replace the MB. If the laptop is out of warranty you won't want to replace the MB, too costly.

Another trick is clean the gold contacts on the RAM with a clean pencil eraser. This will work on expansion slot cards in a PC also. Anytime you install a part that came from another computer you should clean the contacts.

Some laptops will only take a certain configuration of ram, i.e., only 2x128 or 2x512 but not 2x256. You can only find this out by contacting tech support if you don't have your original paperwork.

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Kyobanim

Damn, I missed all the excitement.

Laptops are nice until something goes wrong, then they suck. They are a pain in the ass to work on because different problems have the same sysmtoms, wardware wise.

First thing to do is clear the bios. The simple way to do this is to remove all batteries, including the itty bitty one connected to the mother board. There is a keystrokc combination that you can use to do this but I don't know what it is for a Sony, try their tech support page for that one. If this doesn't allow the other slot in your daughters laptop to work then you'll need to replace the main board. If you can remember where all the internal body parts go during surgery you can replace the MB. If the laptop is out of warranty you won't want to replace the MB, too costly.

Another trick is clean the gold contacts on the RAM with a clean pencil eraser. This will work on expansion slot cards in a PC also. Anytime you install a part that came from another computer you should clean the contacts.

Some laptops will only take a certain configuration of ram, i.e., only 2x128 or 2x512 but not 2x256. You can only find this out by contacting tech support if you don't have your original paperwork.

Lookin like I got some bullets to sweat while I make things go buzz and whir!!!
Thanks guys-will try Kyo's suggestions and see if they "werks"

Eagle