RAM not recognized?

dgraham6 · 05-09-2008, 08:33 PM

New here but I have looked around quite a bit and still cannot find an answer. Please help. :)

First of all, I have an HP Pavilion ze4805us and it previosly had only a single256MB DDR PC2100 266Mhz of RAM.

Did some research and purchased a kingston 512MB DDR PC2700 333MHz (reads 266 MHz PC2100 compatible right on the package) for my notebook.

I installed it into the empty slot and the general tab under my computer properties doesn't show any change. (Double checked Physical insertion 2x)

I did the crucial.com test and it shows the 256 and an empty slot.

I also tried the CPU-Z test and CPU-Z seems to be the only thing that recognizes it. It does show under the SPD tab that both slots are in use, and it does list the new RAM.

However, the HP product spec site shows "256MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (1 x 256MB) at 266MHz" and the CPU-Z is listing 256 PC2700 (166MHz) and the same for the 512.

I might be mistaken, but I think the old RAM is supposed to stay in its original position and act as an "anchor" so the new RAM added to the 2nd slot is basically "controlled" by the original so it wont try to go to fast. (2100 to 2700) Also, I cant understand why the MHz would be lower than before (@266)

If anyone knows anything about why its not showing up correctly please help. Also I dont really see a change in performance, so I'm figuring that the extra 512 isnt even being used. What should I try next?

Underclocker · 05-09-2008, 09:41 PM

The actual speed of the PC2700 RAM is 166MHz, but double pumped up to 333MHz. PC2100 actually runs at 133MHz pumped to 266MHz. Try out the 512MB module in the first slot and the 256MB in the second slot. Also try booting with just the 512MB in the first slot to ensure it's compatible with your notebook.

05-09-2008, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
dgraham6 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: MO Posts: 5 OS: XP SP 2	RAM not recognized? New here but I have looked around quite a bit and still cannot find an answer. Please help. :) First of all, I have an HP Pavilion ze4805us and it previosly had only a single256MB DDR PC2100 266Mhz of RAM. Did some research and purchased a kingston 512MB DDR PC2700 333MHz (reads 266 MHz PC2100 compatible right on the package) for my notebook. I installed it into the empty slot and the general tab under my computer properties doesn't show any change. (Double checked Physical insertion 2x) I did the crucial.com test and it shows the 256 and an empty slot. I also tried the CPU-Z test and CPU-Z seems to be the only thing that recognizes it. It does show under the SPD tab that both slots are in use, and it does list the new RAM. However, the HP product spec site shows "256MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (1 x 256MB) at 266MHz" and the CPU-Z is listing 256 PC2700 (166MHz) and the same for the 512. I might be mistaken, but I think the old RAM is supposed to stay in its original position and act as an "anchor" so the new RAM added to the 2nd slot is basically "controlled" by the original so it wont try to go to fast. (2100 to 2700) Also, I cant understand why the MHz would be lower than before (@266) If anyone knows anything about why its not showing up correctly please help. Also I dont really see a change in performance, so I'm figuring that the extra 512 isnt even being used. What should I try next? Last edited by dgraham6 : 05-09-2008 at 08:37 PM.

05-09-2008, 09:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Underclocker Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: A land girt by sea. Posts: 551 OS: Windows XP Pro SP3 My System	Re: RAM not recognized? The actual speed of the PC2700 RAM is 166MHz, but double pumped up to 333MHz. PC2100 actually runs at 133MHz pumped to 266MHz. Try out the 512MB module in the first slot and the 256MB in the second slot. Also try booting with just the 512MB in the first slot to ensure it's compatible with your notebook. __________________ Everest CPU-Z Memtest86 SpeedFan ORTHOS