Memory chip compatability

[Lenny Jacobs]

I have freed up 2 PC2-5300 DDR 512MB chips by upgrading the memory of one of
my laptops. I have an older HP ze4200 laptop that calls for PC2-2100 DDR
memory. The memory chips look physically the same. Can I use the PC2-5300
memory chips in my HP ze4200 laptop?

 

[Bob Knowlden]

The ze4200 uses DDR rather than DDR2 memory. (It's PC-2100, not PC2-2100.)

I'm not really familiar with SODIMMs, but I believe that DDR and DDR2 are
keyed differently, although they look quite similar. You should not be able
to insert a DDR2 module in a DDR slot.

 

[Lil' Dave]

That's the obvious, or not so obvious difference if you don't pay attention,
when attempting to plug in DDR2 into a DDR slot (and vice-versa) on a PC.
The keyway slot is one notch over where the RAM module plugs into the RAM
slot on the motherboard..

 

[Lenny Jacobs]

Thanks all for your helpfull and informative input.