Memory for an HP G70-460US laptop
An HP laptop running the Microsoft Windows 10 operating system that I was using
was performing poorly and when I checked the system's performance with the Windows
Task Manager, I could see that the memory utilization
was consistently high. So I decided to check on whether I could increase
the memory in the system. A sticker on the underside of the laptop showed
the model number to be G70-460US. I wondered whether I could also
get the model number from a
Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC)
command if the sticker was no longer present or was illegible, so I opened a
command prompt window and checked to
see what information I could get using the wmic csproduct get
command.
[ More Info ]
[/hardware/pc/memory]
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Memory for a Dell Inspiron 570 PC
A user reported her Windows 10 system was running slowly. When I connected to
the system remotely to check it after the user had left for the day and closed
all the applications she had running, I found that the memory utilization was
78%. I knew the system was a Dell PC, but I didn't remember the model number.
I was able to determine it was an Inspiron 570 by right-clicking on the Windows
Start button and choosing
System. Under "Device specifications," I
saw "Inspiron 570". I also saw that the system had only 3 GB of memory
installed.
Inspiron 570
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 240 Processor 2.80 GHz
Installed RAM: 3.00 GB (2.75 GB usable)
[ More Info ]
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Memory for a Gigabyte 970A-DS3P Motherboard
I needed to determine the amount of memory currently in a PC running the
Windows 10 operating system and how much more memory could be added to
the system in order to improve its performance. To determine how much memory
could be added, since it was a custom-built PC, I needed to determine the
motherboard in the system. I didn't want to disconnect every device attached
to it and open it up, so an option is to use Windows Management Instrumentation
Command-line (WMIC) commands to determine the motherboard manufacturer and
model number. You can also use WMIC commands to obtain details about the memory
already in a system.
[ More Info ]
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Memory Upgrade for Gateway PC Model Number MFATXPN1 ESX 500S P04
I upgraded the memory in a Gateway PC model number MFATXPN1 ESX 500S P04
(that is the model number listed on the back of the computer).
The system, which was running Windows XP Professional, had only 256 MB of
memory installed.
The following memory module was already in the system:
| MT8VDDT3264AG-265C4, PC2100U-25330-A1 |
US BZABW72029 200303 |
| 256MB, DDR, 266MHz, CL2.5V |
The BIOS memory information was as follows:
BIOS Settings
| BIOS Version | RG84510A.15A.0021.P11 |
| |
| Processor Type | Intel (R) Pentium (R) 4 |
| Processor Speed | 2 GHz |
| System Bus Speed | 400 MHz |
| System Memory Speed | 266 MHz |
| |
| Cache RAM | 512 KB |
| |
| Total Memory | 255 MB |
| Memory Bank 0 | 256 MB (DDR 266) |
| Memory Bank 1 | Not Installed |
I installed the following PNY
memory module in the second of the two memory slots in the system.
PNY 512MB
DDR
PC2700
333MHz / 266 MHz
OPTIMA&trade Memory
The following information was on a sticker on the module:
| 512MB,DDR DIMM,Q |
ASSY. IN TAIWAN |
| 64WQD-T PO135492 |
The package had "MD0512SD1-333-BB" on it above the
UPC. The
UPC was 7 51492 34983 1.
When I booted into Windows and ran winver, it showed
"Physical memory available to Windows: 784,176KB".
I ran a 30 minute test of the memory with
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Beta. No errors were found in the 3 passes of the diagnostic program that
were run.
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Memory Upgrade and Sound Card installation in Gateway E2300 PC
I upgraded the memory in a Gateway PC model number
MATXHDS MDW E 2300 (that is the model number listed on
the back of the computer; a sticker on the side of the
computer lists the model number as E2300). The system, which was running
Windows XP Professional, had only 256 MB of memory installed.
BIOS Utility - Main
| |
| BIOS Version | BF86510A.15A.0080.P18 |
| |
| Processor Type | Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU |
| Processor Spped | 2.8 GHz |
| Systm Bus Speed | 533 MHz |
| System Memory Speed | 333 MHz |
| |
| L2 Cache RAM | 256 KB |
| Total Memory | 256 MB |
| Memory Mode | Single Channel |
| Memory Channel A Slot 0 | 256 MB (DDR333) |
| Memory Channel A Slot 1 | Not Installed |
| Memory Channel B Slot 0 | Not Installed |
| Memory Channel B Slot 1 | Not Installed |
I also needed to install a sound card, since the on-board audio stopped
working. I changed the BIOS settings for the on-board audio support from
"enabled" to "disabled". The option is listed under Advanced then
Peripheral Configuration in the BIOS Setup Utility.
I checked the Crucial Memory site
for information on the memory that the system will support.
| Manufacturer | Gateway |
| Product Line | E Series |
| Model | E2300 (4 DIMM slots) |
The Crucial Memory site providded the following information at
Computer memory upgrades for Gateway E-2300 Series (4 DIMM Slots)
| Maximum Memory: | 4096MB |
| Standard Memory | 256 or 512 removable |
| Slots: | 4 (2 banks of 2) |
Although the memory can be installed one module at a time, the best
performance comes from using matched pairs of modules.
Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200, DDR PC2700 with a maximum of
1 GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
The Crucial Memory site also had the following series of questions and
answers regarding memory for the system:
Q: Will my system recognize the maximum upgrade?
A: Possibly
How much memory your Windows OS will recognize depends on which version of
Windows you are running. 32-bit versions of Windows will see (and utilize)
only 3GB or 3.5GB. To utilize more memory, install a 64-bit version of your OS.
More information about OS memory maximums can be found at
http://www.crucial.com/kb/answer.aspx?qid=4251.
Q: What memory goes into my computer, and will a
faster speed be backward-compatible?
A: DDR memory with support for DDR PC3200,DDR PC2700 speeds.
Because DDR memory is backward-compatible, you can safely upgrade your system
with any of the guaranteed-compatible DDR speeds listed below, even if your
manual calls for PC1600 or PC2100 speeds. [DDR PC3200 and DDR PC2700 modules
were listed below the statement]
Q: How much memory can my computer handle?
A: 4096MB
Adding the maximum amount of memory will improve performance and help extend
the useful life of your system as you run increasingly demanding software
applications in the future.
Q: Do I have to install matching pairs?
A: Yes
Your system requires that you install memory in pairs.
The system had a 256 MB memory module in Channel A DIMM0. That module
had the following information on a sticker on it.:
| Hynix |
KOREA 03 |
| PC2700U | 0430 |
| 256MB DDR 333MHz CL2.5 |
| HYMD232646B8J-J AA-A |
I put the following memory in the system:
Kingston Technology
Value RAM
KVR333/1GR
The module had a sticker on it with the following information:
Kingston
Technology |
KVR |
| KVR333/1GR |
| 740617072662 | 2.5V |
| Warranty Void if Removed |
The Crucial Memory site indicated that memory must be installed in
matching pairs, but I wasn't sure if that applied just to modules inserted
in the same channel, i.e., I wasn't sure if I could install the 1 GB module
in Channel B, since the 256 MB module was in channel A.
I put the new module in Channel B DIMM0. When I powered on the system,
I saw "1264MB System RAM" but then received the error message
"Dual-channel operation requires identical paired
DIMMs installed across both memory channels." I then tried the new
1 GB module in Channel A DIMM1. Again I saw "1264MB System RAM" and
the same error message, so I removed the 256 MB module and moved
the 1 GB module to Channel A DIMM0. This time when I powered on the
system I saw "1008 System RAM" followed by "Keyboard Error" and then
"Memory Size Decrease". I powered the system off and on and didn't
see the keyboard or "memory size decrease" messages again, though
the system did display "1008 System RAM" again.
When I checked the BIOS configuration, I saw the following:
BIOS Utility - Main
| |
| BIOS Version | BF86510A.15A.0080.P18 |
| |
| Processor Type | Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU |
| Processor Spped | 2.8 GHz |
| Systm Bus Speed | 533 MHz |
| System Memory Speed | 333 MHz |
| |
| L2 Cache RAM | 256 KB |
| Total Memory | 1024 MB |
| Memory Mode | Single Channel |
| Memory Channel A Slot 0 | 1024 MB (DDR333) |
| Memory Channel A Slot 1 | Not Installed |
| Memory Channel B Slot 0 | Not Installed |
| Memory Channel B Slot 1 | Not Installed |
When I selected the Advancecd tab in the BIOS Setup Utility
and then chose Video Configuration, I saw the following:
| Video Configuration |
| Primary Video Adapter |
[AGP] |
| Frame Buffer Size |
[ 16MB] |
Presumably, the remaining 16 MB of the 1024 MB module is being allocated
to the frame buffer, which is why the system is reporting 1,008 MB during
the Power-on
Self-test (POST) process.
When I booted into Windows and ran winver, I saw
"Physical memory available to Windows: 1,030,896 KB".
I had also installed a Dynex model DX-SC51 sound card in PCI slot 1
at the same time I installed the memory.
When I checked on the sound card, Windows Media Player reported
"Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there is a problem
with your sound device. There might not be a sound device installed
on your computer, it might be in use by another program, or it might not be
functioning properly."
Under the Device Manager, I saw "Unknown device" listed under
display adapters, but no new audio device listed. When I tried
to install the Dynex driver, I saw the warning message "Undetermine Card!
Please do not click cancel on device manager!" Clicking on OK
there produced another warning message "OS not support!"
I opened the case and checked the sound card. I found it wasn't
seated fully in its slot. I reseated the card. When I rebooted and logged
in as the adminsitrator, the Found New Hardware Wizard appeared.
I inserted the CD that came with the sound card. The wizard indicated it
found a Multimedia Audio Controller, an Envy24 Family Audio Controller WDM.
After the sotware was installed, I was able to play music files on the
system and hear sound from the speakers.
I ran a memory test on the new memory module with
Windows Memory Diagnostic
Beta. I let the test run for an hour and 30 minutes. The diagnostic program
completed 22 passes with no errors found.
[/hardware/pc/memory]
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