Maximum supported RAM?

[betsy]

Hi guys,
Can anyone tell me how I find out what the maximum amount of RAM my laptop will take and what will happen if I go above this amount?

 

[donkey42]

Can anyone tell me how I find out what the maximum amount of RAM my laptop will take and what will happen if I go above this amount?

it will be in the manual, but i think PCWizard displays it too :unsure:

adding too much RAM is not an issue (except its a waste of money) as the laptop will only use the maximum RAM it can address (see)

BTW: can you supply a make and model of the laptop, to enable me to find a manual for you ?

 

[betsy]

Hi, thank you.
I've been told it has 128mb already built in but I can't see where.
Its a Sony Vaio PCG-R505TS. Its pretty old so I can't see it taking much. So there would be not point installing 1GB?!!!!

 

[donkey42]

I've been told it has 128mb already built in but I can't see where.

you won't find it because its inside, at a guess i think it will probably take a 1 or 2 256Mb SODIMMS[OT]SODIMMS are small RAM modules for laptops[/ot]

Vaio PCG-R505TS

i've had a quick look but i couldn't find anything except Vista info, so it's not the lappy you have as i think Vista requires 512Mb RAM

So there would be not point installing 1GB?!!!!

no, how many free expansion SODIMM slots do you have ?[ot]probably accessible by removing a small panel on the bottom, you probably need to remove a screw or two[/ot]BTW: don't remove any screws with small arrows pointing at them, as they usually hold the laptop case together

 

[Big B]

Depending on the chipset, the amount may not be recognized/accepted, or you could see instability, as was the case with the Intel i815 chipset (and likely i810) for example.

 

[betsy]

Ok I have it here in front of me now, with it all open. I can't see any slots like in a PC. Are Ram slots in a laptop flat and usually on the back of the machine?

 

[Big B]

SODIMMs (Small-Outline Dual Inline Memory Module) usually are installed parallel to the motherboard on a laptop instead of the perpendicular orientation of the typical desktop. When you release the RAM tabs, you'll angle them up to remove them.