Samsung ML-2151N and Memory Upgrade

[Larry]

All,

I recently purchased a Samsung ML-2151N Network Laser Printer. I've printed
close to 1000 pages, nearly all duplexed, and it has performed flawlessly.

However it became clear early on that, especially with duplexing enabled,
the standard 16MB of RAM was not going to cut it. There were long delays
between pages as it rendered the next one.

I purchased the appropriate 128MB memory upgrade from SimpleTech. Their
part number S128N3NDC1. This is the module called out in their Memory
Locator on their web site.

The memory was installed, works fine, and the intended result is apparant.
The printer prints at full speed with zero delays for rendering between
pages, even when using the duplexer.

There is one minor problem. The printer is reporting the Module as a 256MB
module instead of a 128MB module. It shows 272MB installed instead of the
proper 144MB.

The module is positively a 128MB module. No mistakes there.

I wrote SimpleTech's Tech Support and got, well, simple (and useless)
responses.

The first response basically said 'Yeah, we've seen that before' and then
the email ENDED!

I wrote back asking what I should do.

Their second response was basically 'Just use it, the incorrect reporting
won't affect the performance of the memory'.

Sheesh

I've written Samsungs tech support. Not sure how long it will take to get a
reply.

Has anyone else seen this problem?

The printer is working perfectly. I've seen no ill-effects, but you can
understand why this bugs me. I've been in the computer/electronics repair
business for 25 years and this sort of thing just doesn't sit well with me.
There HAS to be a reason why this is happening and I want to know what it is


Other than this issue, the printer has performed flawlessly. I shopped
around quite a bit, and no one else could touch the value. 21PPM, automatic
duplexing standard, postscript standard, 500 sheet tray + 150 sheet tray for
$449 is a steal compared to the others.

Yes, the manuals suck and it was a BEAR to figure out how to set up on a Mac
I've got on the Network because of the poor documentation, but once past
that there have been zero issues.

Thanks -Larry

 

[Rob]

All,

I recently purchased a Samsung ML-2151N Network Laser Printer. I've printed
close to 1000 pages, nearly all duplexed, and it has performed flawlessly.

However it became clear early on that, especially with duplexing enabled,
the standard 16MB of RAM was not going to cut it. There were long delays
between pages as it rendered the next one.

I purchased the appropriate 128MB memory upgrade from SimpleTech. Their
part number S128N3NDC1. This is the module called out in their Memory
Locator on their web site.

The memory was installed, works fine, and the intended result is apparant.
The printer prints at full speed with zero delays for rendering between
pages, even when using the duplexer.

There is one minor problem. The printer is reporting the Module as a 256MB
module instead of a 128MB module. It shows 272MB installed instead of the
proper 144MB.

The module is positively a 128MB module. No mistakes there.

I wrote SimpleTech's Tech Support and got, well, simple (and useless)
responses.

The first response basically said 'Yeah, we've seen that before' and then
the email ENDED!

I wrote back asking what I should do.

Their second response was basically 'Just use it, the incorrect reporting
won't affect the performance of the memory'.

Sheesh

I've written Samsungs tech support. Not sure how long it will take to get a
reply.

Has anyone else seen this problem?

The printer is working perfectly. I've seen no ill-effects, but you can
understand why this bugs me. I've been in the computer/electronics repair
business for 25 years and this sort of thing just doesn't sit well with me.
There HAS to be a reason why this is happening and I want to know what it is


Other than this issue, the printer has performed flawlessly. I shopped
around quite a bit, and no one else could touch the value. 21PPM, automatic
duplexing standard, postscript standard, 500 sheet tray + 150 sheet tray for
$449 is a steal compared to the others.

Yes, the manuals suck and it was a BEAR to figure out how to set up on a Mac
I've got on the Network because of the poor documentation, but once past
that there have been zero issues.

Thanks -Larry

Do you use PostScript? I do so I'm interested in the quality of
Samsung's emulation.

Rob

 

[Larry]

It's there, but I don't use it much... Looks fine to me

-Larry

 

[Larry]

I received a reply from Samsung. Amazingly, it's even more useless than
what I got from SimpleTech...

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

I'm sure I can...

Why don't they just say "All your money are belong to us" ?

-Larry

 

[Peter]

I received a reply from Samsung. Amazingly, it's even more useless than
what I got from SimpleTech...

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

I'm sure I can...

Why don't they just say "All your money are belong to us" ?

-Larry

If it's any consolation we have never been able to get 3rd party memory to
work in Samsung 2150 range of printers, apparently they use a really old
spec. of memory.

We've tried lots of suppliers who all claim to have memory that works but
after they have supplied us with 4 or 5 different dimms they always admit
they can't.

Peter
http://www.printerbase.co.uk

 

[Winey]

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

[snip]

If it's any consolation we have never been able to get 3rd party memory to
work in Samsung 2150 range of printers, apparently they use a really old
spec. of memory.

We've tried lots of suppliers who all claim to have memory that works but
after they have supplied us with 4 or 5 different dimms they always admit
they can't.

To the Original Poster: Regardless of what size memory the printer
reports, does it work as intended? That is, do pages render faster?

To Peter: What does "does not work" really mean. Not usable at all,
works only partially, or simply reports back as the wrong size?

Peter
http://www.printerbase.co.uk

I just bought a 2152W (the W for the future) and I have the printer
hooked up to my home LAN. Wow, what a great printer for the money!
I paid US $ 375 with shipping, from a seller on EBay.

 

[Winey]

I received a reply from Samsung. Amazingly, it's even more useless than
what I got from SimpleTech...

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

I just did a Google search on this Samsung part number. (Their own
web site is useless.)

One of the first Google sites to pop up gave me this comparison:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p_samsung-ml-00md-xaa_computer-ram_1991244614

It seems weird that except for this one store Kahlon (more about
later) all the stores were charging above $400 for this memory
upgrade! On other sites, I found prices up to $800!! For a printer
that costs only $500 or so???

Kahlon's price was only $32.00, but if you check them on
www.resellerratings.com your hair will stand on end! Their ratings
was 4.42 and I normally never buy from vendors rated under 6.00.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2005.html

What is going on here? Is there a decent online seller who carries
this module at a reasonable price?

 

[Peter]

To Peter: What does "does not work" really mean. Not usable at all,
works only partially, or simply reports back as the wrong size?

The memory would either not be recognised or on some occasions the printer
would not power on with the additional memory installed. We never had the
situation where the incorrect size was being reported.

Peter

 

[Tom]

Crucial memory they make their own chips as well as assemble the DIMM etc.
The only US company to do both

 

[Winey]

Crucial memory they make their own chips as well as assemble the DIMM etc.
The only US company to do both

Larry,

True enough, but the Crucial web site does not list a part for this
printer. This is the result I got back from a search:

Sorry, your search for "ML-2150" returned no results, please try
again.

Is it possible that another printer model uses the same memory type as
the Samsung, but Crucial doesn't know that?

 

[Tom]

Call their Tech support or email them they respond well. If the memory is a
standard format they should be able to help.

Tom

 

[Larry]

Yeah, it's amazing isn't it

-Larry

I just did a Google search on this Samsung part number. (Their own
web site is useless.)

One of the first Google sites to pop up gave me this comparison:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p_samsung-ml-00md-xaa_computer-ram_1991244614

It seems weird that except for this one store Kahlon (more about
later) all the stores were charging above $400 for this memory
upgrade! On other sites, I found prices up to $800!! For a printer
that costs only $500 or so???

Kahlon's price was only $32.00, but if you check them on
www.resellerratings.com your hair will stand on end! Their ratings
was 4.42 and I normally never buy from vendors rated under 6.00.

http://www.resellerratings.com/seller2005.html

What is going on here? Is there a decent online seller who carries
this module at a reasonable price?

 

[Larry]

Yeah, it _seems_ to work ok, but that's not the point

-Larry

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

[snip]

If it's any consolation we have never been able to get 3rd party memory to
work in Samsung 2150 range of printers, apparently they use a really old
spec. of memory.

We've tried lots of suppliers who all claim to have memory that works but
after they have supplied us with 4 or 5 different dimms they always admit
they can't.

To the Original Poster: Regardless of what size memory the printer
reports, does it work as intended? That is, do pages render faster?

To Peter: What does "does not work" really mean. Not usable at all,
works only partially, or simply reports back as the wrong size?

Peter
http://www.printerbase.co.uk

I just bought a 2152W (the W for the future) and I have the printer
hooked up to my home LAN. Wow, what a great printer for the money!
I paid US $ 375 with shipping, from a seller on EBay.

 

[Larry]

That was my first call. They do not carry it for this printer.

-Larry

 

[Larry]

I did that. They stated they cannot supply the module.

-Larry

 

[Rob C]

Any updates to this situation? I purchased memory for the ML-2152W
from www.4allmemory.com and www.kahlon.com, both claimed to be
compatible with the ML-00MD/XAA 128MB part. Neither works. The one
from 4allmemory gave me a TSKROOT 0983 error (?) and the one from
kahlon is just not recognized.

I sent a couple of e-mails back and forth with Samsung regarding
availability. Samsung themselves lists the part as special order with
2+ week ETA and a price of $499 - conservatively a 400-900% markup.
They are the only manufacturer as well. They were unable to give me
the contact info for a retailer who had any stock of the actual
Samsung part. So, basically, they are the only ones making them, and
they're not making them... Oh, and they're barring third-parties from
making them too... Service like that makes me want to line right up
for another Samsung printer.

I've ordered the simpletech upgrade just to get something that works,
albeit not 100%. If you haven't seen any problems other than the
memory sizing issue, I'd be willing to deal with that, or at least
more willing than handing over $500 for a perfectly working upgrade..
Anybody else had success with the simpletech upgrade?

Yeah, it _seems_ to work ok, but that's not the point

-Larry

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."
[snip]

If it's any consolation we have never been able to get 3rd party memory to
work in Samsung 2150 range of printers, apparently they use a really old
spec. of memory.

We've tried lots of suppliers who all claim to have memory that works but
after they have supplied us with 4 or 5 different dimms they always admit
they can't.

To the Original Poster: Regardless of what size memory the printer
reports, does it work as intended? That is, do pages render faster?

To Peter: What does "does not work" really mean. Not usable at all,
works only partially, or simply reports back as the wrong size?

Peter
http://www.printerbase.co.uk

I just bought a 2152W (the W for the future) and I have the printer
hooked up to my home LAN. Wow, what a great printer for the money!
I paid US $ 375 with shipping, from a seller on EBay.

 

[Corey J. Motel]

Rob:

I'd be grateful if you could post some data regarding the Samsung
supplied DIMM that came with the printer as well as for the two
3rd-party DIMMs you tried.

The Samsung has four SDRAM chips on the DIMM, correct? What about the
other two?

For any given SDRAM chip on each DIMM, what is everything that is
screened/stamped onto it? (I'm trying to figure out the manufacturer
and P/N of each.)

I've seen the Kahlon claim as well and hoped it would be a solution
for the CLP-550. It appears as though it will not be. If you've
returned it already, how have they been regarding processing your
return?

(Larry - I'd be grateful if you could post the same chip data for your
SimpleTech DIMM.)

Thanks.

Regards,

Corey J. Motel

 

[Rob C]

The only difference that I've seen between the Kahlon DIMM and the
Simpletech DIMM is that the Simpletech is a CL 2, while the Kahlon is
CL 3. Although I don't know the contents of the SPD EEPROM, and that
may be the deciding factor.

I ordered the Simpletech DIMM. ~$66 shipped through Amazon. After
installation, my printer thinks it's got 272Mbyte just like the
original poster.

I can find only one error so far caused by the upgrade. When in the
configuration section of the menu, printing the EPSON font list
produces a print-out with all kinds of data corruption. Remove the
DIMM and the problem goes away. Otherwise, everything else works
fine. I'm unlikely to use the EPSON emulation, so I don't perceive it
to be a problem. PCL prints fine, as does PostScript.

I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with this printer. I'm seeing
frequent paper jams, and now my fuser assembly seems to have died in a
couple of spots. We'll see..

 

[Winey]

The only difference that I've seen between the Kahlon DIMM and the
Simpletech DIMM is that the Simpletech is a CL 2, while the Kahlon is
CL 3. Although I don't know the contents of the SPD EEPROM, and that
may be the deciding factor.

I ordered the Simpletech DIMM. ~$66 shipped through Amazon. After

Sure beats those $400 + prices I saw on some web sites!!

installation, my printer thinks it's got 272Mbyte just like the
original poster.

Sounds good enough. Have you ever tried to spool more than 144 MB of
print jobs to the printer? Does it store more than this amount of
print jobs? (Do you really have a 256 MB upgrade, both in the
hardware AND supported by the printer firmware?!??!!??

I can find only one error so far caused by the upgrade. When in the
configuration section of the menu, printing the EPSON font list
produces a print-out with all kinds of data corruption. Remove the
DIMM and the problem goes away. Otherwise, everything else works
fine. I'm unlikely to use the EPSON emulation, so I don't perceive it
to be a problem. PCL prints fine, as does PostScript.

That's the important stuff.

I'm not sure I'm entirely happy with this printer. I'm seeing
frequent paper jams, and now my fuser assembly seems to have died in a
couple of spots. We'll see..

I have had the same printer (2152W model) for almost two months, with
zero paper jams, including a fair amount of double-sided printing.

 

[Larry]

No, the situation is the same.

SimpleTech says "Live with it".
Samsung says "Only our Modules work right".

There is no doubt Samsung screwed up a simple memory standard to push their
own memory module.

I will not forget this the next time it comes to buy a printer. It won't be
a Samsung.

The SimpleTech appears to work. Duplexing is now at full speed.

Add this with the 1/2 full toner in the box and it adds up to the last
Samsung printer I'll ever buy, and given the support I've received, possibly
the last Samsung product at all I'll ever buy.

-Larry

Any updates to this situation? I purchased memory for the ML-2152W
from www.4allmemory.com and www.kahlon.com, both claimed to be
compatible with the ML-00MD/XAA 128MB part. Neither works. The one
from 4allmemory gave me a TSKROOT 0983 error (?) and the one from
kahlon is just not recognized.

I sent a couple of e-mails back and forth with Samsung regarding
availability. Samsung themselves lists the part as special order with
2+ week ETA and a price of $499 - conservatively a 400-900% markup.
They are the only manufacturer as well. They were unable to give me
the contact info for a retailer who had any stock of the actual
Samsung part. So, basically, they are the only ones making them, and
they're not making them... Oh, and they're barring third-parties from
making them too... Service like that makes me want to line right up
for another Samsung printer.

I've ordered the simpletech upgrade just to get something that works,
albeit not 100%. If you haven't seen any problems other than the
memory sizing issue, I'd be willing to deal with that, or at least
more willing than handing over $500 for a perfectly working upgrade..
Anybody else had success with the simpletech upgrade?

"Larry" <[email protected]> wrote in message

Yeah, it _seems_ to work ok, but that's not the point

-Larry

"The ML-2151N MUST use a Samsung memory module.Other modules are NOT
supported.Part number for the 128MB module is ML-00MD/XAA.You can purchase
this module from Samsung accessories at 800-459-3272."

[snip]

If it's any consolation we have never been able to get 3rd party

memory
to

work in Samsung 2150 range of printers, apparently they use a really old
spec. of memory.

We've tried lots of suppliers who all claim to have memory that works but
after they have supplied us with 4 or 5 different dimms they always admit
they can't.

To the Original Poster: Regardless of what size memory the printer
reports, does it work as intended? That is, do pages render faster?

To Peter: What does "does not work" really mean. Not usable at all,
works only partially, or simply reports back as the wrong size?



Peter
http://www.printerbase.co.uk

I just bought a 2152W (the W for the future) and I have the printer
hooked up to my home LAN. Wow, what a great printer for the money!
I paid US $ 375 with shipping, from a seller on EBay.