Vista32 to 64 Sony Vaio help

[Wonderman]

I have a Sony desktop VGC-RA840G Pentium D running Ultimate 32 with 4 x 512
DDR2 4200 sticks. This is a dead silent water cooled machine I'd ike to
keep. The specs call for that as the maximum although the chipset ( Intel
945P ) will go over 10. I'd like to run Ultimate 64.

About a year or so ago I found a post about somene who upgraded to 4 x 1 meg
sticks at the same speed successfully. and naturally I cant find the post
now when I need it.. If I tried this could I potentially fo any harm to the
machine ? At time of purchase Sony was selling this machine as a 1 MB
machine as were all similar products due to high memory cost. I'm thinking
the machine will do it I'm just concerned about potential damage.

Also it uses a Gigpocket TV / Video recorder card that is 32 bit with no 64
drivers at all. Should I presume I need ot replace that card and if so it
connects ot the front panel for input. Are the connectors all the same for
front panel / tv cards ?

 

[PvdG42]

I have a Sony desktop VGC-RA840G Pentium D running Ultimate 32 with 4 x
512 DDR2 4200 sticks. This is a dead silent water cooled machine I'd ike
to keep. The specs call for that as the maximum although the chipset (
Intel 945P ) will go over 10. I'd like to run Ultimate 64.

About a year or so ago I found a post about somene who upgraded to 4 x 1
meg sticks at the same speed successfully. and naturally I cant find the
post now when I need it.. If I tried this could I potentially fo any harm
to the machine ? At time of purchase Sony was selling this machine as a 1
MB machine as were all similar products due to high memory cost. I'm
thinking the machine will do it I'm just concerned about potential damage.

Also it uses a Gigpocket TV / Video recorder card that is 32 bit with no
64 drivers at all. Should I presume I need ot replace that card and if so
it connects ot the front panel for input. Are the connectors all the same
for front panel / tv cards ?

I found this spec page for your discontinued computer:

http://www.superwarehouse.com/Sony_VAIO_RA840G_VGC-RA840G/ps/617429

But, it doesn't give specifics on the memory type, so you'll have to dig
further.

If it takes DDR2, a memory upgrade is economically feasible. If it takes
DDR, you will want to think carefully on the cost of the new memory vs. the
value of an obsolete computer.

As far as peripherals with no OEM 64 bit driver support goes, you're pretty
much OOL if you move to a 64 bit OS.

Probably not what you want to hear, but given the Pentium D (vs. newer and
MUCH better processors, such as Core 2 Duo and Quad in the low cost
category), you should check into a new computer with a 64 bit OS
preinstalled.

 

[Wonderman]

I am reasonably content with the speed and really pleased with how quiet it
is. Its just great to have on the desk top.

Any thoughts on the memory issue ? Can I put in 4 1MB sticks and test it
out ? Is it safe - no damage to the MB or memory ?

Also looks like most tv / video cards use a commector to the front of the
case ? True ? Its not used as a media center PC but I'd like ot option to
copy a show when I need to.

 

[Curious]

AFAIK your Pentium D dual core CPU is not capable of running Vista 64 since
it does not support the 64 bit instruction set.

 

[Wonderman]

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=27512&processor=820&spec-codes=SL88T,SL8CP
Yes it does.

 

[Dominic Payer]

Specs for the VGC-RA840G are
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs...&catalogId=10551&langId=-1&productId=11040894.
It seems to be limited to 2GB, despite the chipset capability.

However
http://www.upgradecomputermemory.co...ony-Desktops-VAIO-VGC-Series/VAIO-VGC-RA840G/
says it can run 4GB but needs a special RAM type. If you buy your memory
from a specialist supplier, declaring your machine type, you should be
covered for a refund if it doesn't work.


A replacement TV card would not connect to your motherboard or front
panel other than through the PCI slot. Any connectors would be on the
mounting bracket. If you want to connect an external device to the card,
be sure the card you buy has suitable connections and drivers, not just
for an aerial and remote control.

 

[Curious]

I was assuming that your CPU used the IA64 or Itanium 64 bit architecture
which is not supported by Vista and the specification link you provided does
not make it clear that it is does not.

See the following link section on 64 bit OSs:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows

 

[Curious]

Ignore my previous response.

I was incorrectly assuming that your CPU used the IA64 or Itanium 64 bit
architecture
which is not supported by Vista and the specification link you provided does
not make it clear that it is does not.

See the following link section on 64 bit OSs:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows

However if obviously is not the Itanium architecture since it is currently
running Vista 32 bit.

 

[PvdG42]

I am reasonably content with the speed and really pleased with how quiet
it is. Its just great to have on the desk top.

Any thoughts on the memory issue ? Can I put in 4 1MB sticks and test it
out ? Is it safe - no damage to the MB or memory ?

Also looks like most tv / video cards use a commector to the front of the
case ? True ? Its not used as a media center PC but I'd like ot option
to copy a show when I need to.

OK, now that Dominic has supplied the specs and I know that your Vaio takes
inexpensive DDR2 memory, I'll second his suggestion to go to a memory
maunfacturer's web site and use a good configuration guide. Crucial comes to
mind as one good place to look:

www.crucial.com

See what their configuration app says you can put in your Vaio, and if they
say 4 Gig will work, then consider buying the memory there to get the
compatibility guarantee.

If you cannot put *at least* 4 Gig in your box, there is no reason to even
think about using a 64 bit OS.

 

[Wonderman]

Thanks. It seems the processor and chipset will run 64 bit. I have ot
wonder about the logic of ASUS making a board with CPU and Chipset 64 bit
capable and limiting the memory max to 2 meg.

 

[Tae Song]

Thanks. It seems the processor and chipset will run 64 bit. I have ot
wonder about the logic of ASUS making a board with CPU and Chipset 64 bit
capable and limiting the memory max to 2 meg.

It maybe the manufacturer is trying to get around the problem of explaining
to the average consumer why they bought 4GB and can only use about 3GB using
the more common Windows 32-bit operating system. It's more than likely you
can install 4GB without a problem in most of these laptops.

 

[Wonderman]

I think you're right. THe SONY support site is full of explanations yet
they dont condone or mention 4 megs.

 

[Wonderman]

Well Success ! Installed 4 x 1MEG sticks and its running fine. Guess it
pays to not pay too much attentionto what an OEM prints. its likely that
SONY just wasnt going to support this machine for x 64.

Starting new post re: slower win performance number on the memory though.