Upgrading memory and HD on a laptop

[Carlos Moreno]

Hi,

I'm quite frustrated with my attempt to revamp my Toshiba Satellite
A100, upgrading from 512M to 2GB of RAM, and replacing the HD with
a 7200RPM Seagate HD.

Failed misserably on both counts :-(

I replaced the memory --- the procedure is visually obvious --- but
the
system will not boot (it powers on, then after a second or two, it
powers
off, and on again, then off, etc.).

The manual talks about *compatible modules only* saying that it will
BEEP if non-compatible memory is installed. This one does not beep;
it just does not boot.

The original module is DDR2 533 (PC2-4200), and I replaced it with
DDR2 667 (PC2-5300)... Should not make a difference, right?

Are there differences that could cause memory not to work with a
particular laptop model? Perhaps something like CL timing hardcoded
in the BIOS so that it does not work, neither with faster nor with
slower
setups? What about the "bits geometry"? The module it has now has
four chips per side (four ICs) --- the ones I got (a dual-channel
pair, 2x1G)
have eight chips per side. Could this make a difference?

Shouldn't it just work if the connector (the position of the notch)
is
mechanically compatible? That is, shouldn't it just work if the
memory
module fits in the connector?

As for the HD, the manual does not even mention anything about
replacing the HD. I removed the cover and see the HD, but the screws
that fix it to the chassis are sideways, so it would seem that I need
to
completely disassemble the machine. I removed *all* of the screws
at the bottom piece/cover, but it just won't come out (at the point
where the DVD-Writer is, it's seriously stuck, as if it wasn't two
pieces
but the same one. I wouldn't want to pull harder and harder and then
break it.

Any advice?

Thanks,

Carlos
--

 

[Carlos Moreno]

Hi,

I'm quite frustrated with my attempt to revamp my Toshiba Satellite
A100, upgrading from 512M to 2GB of RAM, and replacing the HD with
a 7200RPM Seagate HD.

Failed misserably on both counts :-(

[...]

Update ... Sorry about the HD ... I didn't look close enough;
already
could replace it.

With the memory, however, the mystery expands ... After having
temporarily given up and put the 512M chip back, I just thought
"hey, what about placing one of the 1GB modules on the second
slot?" ... Well, it *did* work; the laptop boots and does recognize
1.5GB of RAM ... Any explanations?

Thanks,

Carlos
--

 

[Nate Edel]

I'm quite frustrated with my attempt to revamp my Toshiba Satellite
A100, upgrading from 512M to 2GB of RAM, and replacing the HD with
a 7200RPM Seagate HD.

Failed misserably on both counts :-(

[...]

With the memory, however, the mystery expands ... After having
temporarily given up and put the 512M chip back, I just thought
"hey, what about placing one of the 1GB modules on the second
slot?" ... Well, it *did* work; the laptop boots and does recognize
1.5GB of RAM ... Any explanations?

Bad module? Try swapping the 1GB module for the other, and make sure the
1.5gb configuration works with either module.

If it does, try using both modules again - perhaps it was badly seated the
first time around.

If it doesn't, then the second 1GB module is probably bad.

 

[Carlos Moreno]

Bad module? Try swapping the 1GB module for the other, and make sure the
1.5gb configuration works with either module.

Check --- recognizes 1.5GB with either module of 1GB,
provided that the original 512M is placed in the first slot
(tried putting the 512M in the second slot and one of the
1GB modules in the first one, and it didn't boot)

Oh well, I guess I could go with 1.5GB instead of 2, and
I'll find someone with a notebook that might need the
upgrade... Still, it really bothers me being puzzled and
clueless about why it won't work :-(

Thanks,

Carlos
--

 

[Nate Edel]

Check --- recognizes 1.5GB with either module of 1GB,
provided that the original 512M is placed in the first slot
(tried putting the 512M in the second slot and one of the
1GB modules in the first one, and it didn't boot)

Oh well, I guess I could go with 1.5GB instead of 2, and
I'll find someone with a notebook that might need the
upgrade... Still, it really bothers me being puzzled and
clueless about why it won't work :-(

That's wacky. If there are any BIOS upgrades for your machine, you might
try that, but otherwise ... no idea. Sorry!

 

[The little lost angel]

Check --- recognizes 1.5GB with either module of 1GB,
provided that the original 512M is placed in the first slot
(tried putting the 512M in the second slot and one of the
1GB modules in the first one, and it didn't boot)

Oh well, I guess I could go with 1.5GB instead of 2, and
I'll find someone with a notebook that might need the
upgrade... Still, it really bothers me being puzzled and
clueless about why it won't work :-(

I'm making a guess from ancient memory, not sure if things are done
this way anymore. But on desktop, the BIOS tries to set the memory
timings based on the DIMM in the 1st slot.

So when you have the 512M in the first slot, the BIOS configures
things based on the PC4200's 533Mhz DDR timing. The faster PC5400 1GB
has no problems operating at slower timings, so this works fine.

But when you use both the PC5400 or have one of the PC5400 in the
first slot, the BIOS configured timings based on the PC5400 is
incompatible with the laptop.

So if you had gotten 2 pieces of PC4200 1GB, you probably wouldn't see
this problem. Or that's what I guess anyway.

 

[mynduit]

I'm making a guess from ancient memory, not sure if things are done
this way anymore. But on desktop, the BIOS tries to set the memory
timings based on the DIMM in the 1st slot.

So when you have the 512M in the first slot, the BIOS configures
things based on the PC4200's 533Mhz DDR timing. The faster PC5400 1GB
has no problems operating at slower timings, so this works fine.

But when you use both the PC5400 or have one of the PC5400 in the
first slot, the BIOS configured timings based on the PC5400 is
incompatible with the laptop.

So if you had gotten 2 pieces of PC4200 1GB, you probably wouldn't see
this problem. Or that's what I guess anyway.

Can the BIOS be set for the higher speed/number, or is it locked in
somehow?