| Author |
Message |
    
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1042
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:34 pm: | 
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OK...I am going along, researching the specs for my daughter's laptop (the other Compaq Presario 3000 with the power cord issues!)
It needs more RAM to run her video editing software (Sony Vegas). I have 448MB RAM now, I need 512MB minimum for the software.
I buy a 256MB 200 Pin DIMM etc.,etc.. I carefully follow the instructions and install it in the empty slot in the back. I fire up the machine and it calmly tells me that it still has 448MB of RAM.
What did I do wrong? Is there an "install device" kind of step I am missing? Is there a "turn on the other RAM" kind of button? Is it just not seated well?
All thoughts on this one wold be very welcome! |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12710
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:42 pm: |
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There are several possibilities. Check the documentation for the system. Some systems need all the same size DIMM's.
Try reversing the order of the DIMM's, i.e. put the old one in the previously empty slot and the new one in the slot where the old DIMM is.
It's possible that you just need to run "setup" for the system to recognize the new RAM. When you boot it up, it will very briefly display a message about what key to hit to enter "setup" before the operating system loads. Read quickly and respond quickly.
448 doesn't sound right. It's usually a multiple of 64 MB.
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upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 582
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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If it's not Compaq memory, the machine might not like the module. First I would go into BIOS and verify if the memory is detected. If so, save and exit and reboot and it should be seen by Windows. If not, pop out the original RAM and try running with the new to verify that it works. If it doesn't, then it's eitherdefective or not compatible. |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1043
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:50 pm: |
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Someone told me that some other device is using part of the machine's built in 512MB and 448MB is all that remains...?
(Remember I got these REAL cheap!)
My daughter turned it on after I installed the new memory.
She said she saw some screen but she got past it...
How would I return to the "setup" screen if I were to power it off and start up again?
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12712
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:51 pm: |
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Shut it down, which I believe will power it off. Power it on and watch very carefully, because the opportunity to go to "setup" goes by quickly. If you don't hit the magic key (often F2 or F1 or F8) quickly enough, it will boot normally.
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kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1044
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 4:53 pm: |
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Up -
Thanks..Good Lord it shouldn't be so hard, huh?
Apparently the other memory card is only accessible if I remove the keyboard!
I will do the whole BIOS thing now.. |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 584
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 5:30 pm: |
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The Creator put computers on this planet to humble all mankind! |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1045
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 6:17 pm: |
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Well I thought I was king (queen actually)of the universe this morning...I replaced an "enter" key that my daughter had popped off the keyboard to clean beneath. It took almost and hour to figure out how the 4 tiny little plastic bits actually interconnected and then attached to the keyboard.
That's when I moved on to the simple task of installing the memory.
Well the BIOS doesn'even know the new memory exists.
I am going to remove the DIMM, start the computer, shut it down, install it again, start the computer and watch VERY CAREFULLY for a "sign"! |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 585
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 2, 2006 - 6:29 pm: |
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That would be the plan right now. May The Farce be with you! |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 54
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 8:06 am: |
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kmk what model R3000 is it - Is it just a plain R3000 or something like an R3210US?
Just a heads up - You may even find that the machine detects the memory but is flakey - and locks up / crashes / or shows memory errors. If that's the case then you can pretty much:
Reseat the DIMM again and hope that was it
Get a different SODIMM
--Tarp |
kmk
Supporter
Username: Kmk
Post Number: 1046
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:25 am: |
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Yeah..
Nothing has worked. Looks like I need to go shopping.
I was cheating just a tiny bit. I gave my dad a 512MB DIMM for Xmas, thinking he could add it to the memory he already had. Turns out ..his laptop will only accept one card at a time and I was the happy reciepient of the cast off 256MB card!
It matches the specs for my machine exactly. But now I will go an buy a new one that is more compatible. (I also found out that our other R300 only has 192MB of RAM! So I think I will buy a set of two new DIMM cards.) |
upondaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 587
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, March 3, 2006 - 9:35 am: |
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I'm not for certain, but I think CompUSA will install for free when you purchase the memory from them. That might be the better way to go since you will be sure that it's going to work. Could save a lot of legwork. IMHO |
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