Upgrading Laptop Memory

[Rossua]

Hi, I have a laptop computer running XP Home SP2 which has 512MB DDR SDRAM (200pin, gold pins, SO-DIMM modules) (2 x 256MB modules), and I want to upgrade it to as much memory as it can handle. The specs are :-

Intel P4 2.6GHz Northwood
Chipset SiS 645DX (supports max 3GB memory)
BIOS Insyde 28 Aug 2003
NVidia GeForce4 440 Go 64MB
mobo = Mitac MTC 8640

There seem to be 2 DRAM slots in it for 2 SO-DIMM 200-pin modules, and I am wondering if I can put 1GB stick in each one ?

I've searched on Google but can't get the definitive specs for this mobo, so I'm not even sure if there's a 3rd DRAM slot somewhere. Does anybody know what size of memory sticks this system will take, or where I might find out ?

I've looked on MITAC website but can't see any way to contact them and registration on their site doesn't seem to work.

Thanks for any advice.

[not important]

If you post the brand and model number of the laptop someone can help you out. "Most likely", it will accept 2 X 1 GB sticks. Crucial has a RAM configurator on their site but you will need the brand and Model number.

[Rossua]

Hi, sorry I meant to include the model & brand info :-

Evesham Voyager 5815+2.6SEP03 WO01030028

I am getting conflicting info re the maximum memory. Crucial system scanner running on the laptop reports a maximum of 1GB ie 2x512MB, but www.ramfinder.com states a maximum of 2GB for the above model of laptop, though it lists the model as 'Evesham Voyager 5815+2.6 PRO' instead of just 'Evesham Voyager 5815+2.6' - but I don't think there is a seperate 'PRO' model.

If the SiS 645DX chipset supports up to 3GB RAM then I would have thought the mobo should be able to accept 2GB rather than just 1GB.

[not important]

I would tend to follow Crucial's info. Two 512 sticks would double your RAM and should show a good improvement.

[kilgoretrout]

Check for a bios update for your motherboard. You may need one to get the higher ram capacity. According to this 2005 article, the max ram is 1GB:

http://www.orphanlaptops.com/id263.htm

Perhaps a subsequent bios update allowed for more ram. 3GB sounds like an odd max ram capacity anyhow. Where did you get that spec? Sounds more like the max ram that a 32 bit OS can handle.

[glc]

The SiS 645DX chipset was primarily used in desktop motherboards and that's the max ram for that chipset architecture. It does NOT mean that all boards with that chipset can support 3gb.

[Rossua]

I got the 3GB max figure from Scott Mueller's PC Maintenance book (16th ed, section on SiS P4 chipsets). A specialist memory supplier (OffTek.co.uk) said this laptop will take 2x1GB sticks, so I have ordered them, and I could just return them if any problems.

Thanks for input.

[Rossua]

I just tried the 2x1GB modules and unfortunately only 1GB total system memory is detected.

One of the sticks on its own also results in 1GB total system memory.

I noted though that the Everest program detects the two 1GB modules in DRAM Slots #1 and #2, although it does report 1GB total memory in the system summary.

I wondered if a BIOS upgrade might solve this problem ?

The current BIOS is Insyde MobilePRO v4.00.01 (28 Aug 2003).

Cheers again for any info.

[glc]

It looks like your supplier was mistaken.

[Masaki 7-11]

If you have access to a BIOS update, I would give that a try.