CTPhil

Hello everyone, I'm new here, hoping to get help with a vexing problem.

I bought a new memory stick for my Compaq Presario 1930 laptop to go in the empty slot and bring the total, with the non-removable 64MB, to the max allowed 192 MB.

It doesn't show up in System Properties
It doesn't show up in the Device Manager
I ran Memtest, It doesn't show up there either.

I ran Everest, it shows there, but with no brand details.

Performance is the same with/without the new stick, I tried installing twice, and was careful about static.

Yes, I did go for a lower priced piece of RAM, but then bought a stick from Crucial with the same result.

Everest sees the new stick as well, with better details, under the category "SPD"

I tried a BIOS upgrade, it made no difference.

Any ideas?

Thank you in advance. :)

TriggerFinger

Hi CTPhil,

Welcome to TSF

Can you give the type/details of the RAM sticks? You mentioned it does not show up in Windows but does BIOS recognize it?

CTPhil

Hi Shan,

Wow that was fast!

Everest doesn't give mfg. details on the built in 64MB of RAM, but says the one in the slot is from Micron Tech. It's 128MB, PC133.

The BIOS does not recognize the new RAM.

TriggerFinger

usually laptops from this generation require the low density sticks. do you have any information if your RAM modules are low density? Usually the low density modules go with 16 chips (8 per side) but there are others that come in 8 chips (4 per side).

i usually go for the 16 chips for my old thinkpad. i use this type.

i also found this in eBay... if you want to try this one, i think it is already a pretty good deal.

CTPhil

Does "two ranks, four banks" mean anything?

So it's possible that even the "guaranteed" stick from Crucial may be incompatible?

TriggerFinger

i am sorry i am not familiar with those terms... if you mean 'bank' as in memory bank that the place where your memory sockets are. the memory sockets are hmmm the sockets for your modules.

i noticed that your RAM is PC133. i believe your laptop is PC100. can you check if your laptop can run PC133. I read somewhere that not all PC133 modules can run in PC100.

TriggerFinger

A very good question only Crucial can answer

If you want to spend a few $ more, get the low density RAMs (check my previous link) and try it... now if they work, you already have the answer to your question (as quoted above)

CTPhil

"two ranks, four banks" is what I got from Everest. I got the PC133 because that is what Crucial was selling for this laptop. The manual says PC100, I just took Crucial at their word and figured it must be backwards compatible.

TriggerFinger

well i suggest you just ask them why it's not getting recognized.

but if you were to ask me, i will go for another for $10 more just to check it out.

CTPhil

I believe I will, maybe the third time will be the charm. It sounds like you're focusing on the RAM as the source of the problem. I'll assume that there are no red flags for you regarding hardware/BIOS problems? Everything works fine other than the extra RAM not showing.

<edit> RAM ordered!

Thank you for your help!

TriggerFinger

i am focusing on the RAM because it will be an expensive repair if it is the socket that is malfunctioning (well if the low density modules still do not work, then you must consider a memory socket repair or a motherboard replacement). the mere fact that it is not recognized, it says something about the RAM or the socket. Test in Everest shows it is there, thus not the socket. But BIOS, windows and Memtest86+ do not see it.. so possibly the RAM.

on a personal note, i have an X21 that is very 'choosy' when it comes to memory modules. in all honesty, i was in the same situation before as you are now. i cannot understand it myself why they do not work... until i tried the low density ones.

if you will notice, there is no label whatsoever in the modules that say they are low density. that makes it even harder. but from then on, i just ask the supplier if they are low density as they should know about their product than me.

please post back what happens, OK?

CTPhil

I will, and I am most grateful that you shared your experience with me.

CTPhil

Well, I'm back. I got the RAM from ebay, it's not recognized.

But, here's the wierd thing, the seller described a stick of low density IBM RAM, PC100, and that's what the sticker on it says. Everest sees it as a stick of Samsung PC133. What gives?

If Everest is right, I still don't know if compatability is the real problem, and I got hoodwinked by the ebay seller.

In the meantime, I've requested information on a BIOS upgrade through Everest, I don't know what will come of that.

What now?

TriggerFinger

Hi CTPhil,

Welcome back... tsk tsk tsk... that's bad news indeed. Let's start from the beginning again if you do not mind.

You want to upgrade your RAM from 64 to 128. The 64MB stick is non removable (?). Therefore you have an extra slot for another RAM stick. Before you got any of your new RAMs (from Crucial and Ebay), is the extra slot empty?

PC133 can work in PC100 at a lower speed. Sticker may show IBM but as we all know IBM buys it from other manufacturers. Not all PC133 works this way. Older Thinkpads require the low density RAMs. Low density RAMs in a way are more 'flexible' because they can replace high density RAMs as well. On the other hand, high density RAMs cannot replace low density RAMs.

BIOS can also be a reason but depends how old or current your BIOS release is. If you laptop was initially released already with the capability of being upgraded to 192MB max, then the BIOS at that time could already support that.

Taking this path, have you checked your BIOS level? Is it current? If you are comfortable updating or flashing your BIOS then this is high time to do it.

I will do some research on your specific model.. if there are any history or reports of BIOS support for additional RAM or a defective slot. I will post back or PM you soon...

CTPhil

I want to add 128MB to get to the max of 192MB. The empty slot to my knowledge never had a stick of RAM in it, nor did the previous owner ever have any trouble with the laptop. It came to me with the original 98SE install, still working fine. I want to run XP.

I did update to the latest BIOS version, but the newest available is from 2000. I've seen nothing to suggest it won't support 192MB of RAM.

Thanks again for your help. I'm still not convinced that I've gotten compatible RAM. The ad on ebay for the latest RAM went on about how one shouldn't be fooled into buying PC133, that only PC100 would work on older laptops, yet they sent PC133.

TriggerFinger

Hi CTPhil,

If you are still running 98SE you can d/load the ROMPaq (BIOS) and update under 98SE. I believe it will still have the same BIOS release (F.03 is the most current regardless if OS is 98 or W2K).

Also I have read that the laptop could be suffering from cold solder on some pins on the RAM expansion slot. This means not all pins are connected to the board although they may still look otherwise. Try putting something between the RAM and the RAM bay cover... something thick enough (poster board or a piece of paper) to push the RAM further inside but not too much of course.

I think you got the correct RAM modules. I am now more inclined that it is the RAM slot (a more expensive repair as it may need mobo replacement).

CTPhil

I have already installed XP, however I do think that I have an up to date BIOS version.

I don't have a RAM bay cover, it's under the keyboard, and the stick is seated as well as it can be. Or do you mean that the cardboard would somehow increase contact by pushing the RAM flatter into the bay? I'll give that a try.

At this point, if the slot won't work, that's as far as I go. I guess I'll have to go back to 98SE and learn to live with the limitations of this older laptop.

TriggerFinger

Check first if you have F.03 (bios level). If you do, you do not have to go back to 98SE.

[Clarification]
F.03 bios level is the latest and same one installed whether you are on 98SE or W2K. Each one has a specific installer. No specific installer available for XP

As for the RAM, yes exactly what I mean, something to push down or flatten the RAM for better contact.

TriggerFinger

unless of course, the RAM cannot be upgraded.

CTPhil

I tried the cardboard, no luck. I had previously updated the BIOS to the second from newest version, (it is F.03). I couldn't at the time download the very latest version, (only a couple of months newer) as for some reason the link didn't work. But it works now, so I downloaded it, put it on a formatted floppy, but it won't boot the laptop. Yes, the Floppy Drive is first in the boot order. The previous BIOS update went without a hitch.