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General discussion

VAIO PCG-FX250: system doesn't find Memory upgrade. HELP.

Feb 4, 2005 2:49AM PST

Just received my new memory upgrades (2 x 256 MB).
Removed the old ones and installed the new ones - all by the book (even had the anti-static wristband Happy.

Turned on: it only shows 256 MB, and NOT 512MB as it's supposed to. The VAIO user guide suggests to repeat the action again if this happens. I re-removed and re-installed a couple of times... still no luck.

Is there any additional magic I can do to charm it?

ANother Q: My MAX memory capacity is 512 MB (User guide says: 2 x 256). CAN I try to install one 512MB card into just one slot? I'll probably break something, huh?

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Not all sticks work.
Feb 4, 2005 3:07AM PST

That's why I get such from Crucial so when it doesn't...

Bob

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Huh?
Feb 4, 2005 3:30AM PST

I vaguely recall that there was a post recently that mentioned the exact same problem and how someone has successfully addressed it... Just can't find that post SadSad...

Meantime, I turned off the machine, and tried interchanging the 2 memory cards, and prayed while booting - still no luck...

There's gotta be a way, and nothing should be wrong with the slot, as my old memory was 2 x 128mb and both worked fine (256 total).

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The usual is..
Feb 4, 2005 3:45AM PST

A BIOS update, but if the sticks don't work, then you ask the vendor to give COMPATIBLE units.

No huh here.

Bob

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sticks seem to work...
Feb 4, 2005 3:50AM PST

Not sure if it's pins or slots problem of one of the 2 anything (the card or the slot), as it still reads as 256MB when I interchanged/switched them....

Hmmmmmm...

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Here's the technical reason why it may do this.
Feb 4, 2005 4:13AM PST

Some chipsets (aka the design of the system) only have so many CHIP SELECT (CS) lines available for the memory system. So a doublesided 256MB stick may work in some systems that have plenty of CS lines, but on some computers you have to use specific 256MB modules or you get non-functioning machines, 1/2 the RAM, only one at a time works and so on.

Many run out and "buy RAM", but laptops are flighty enough that you want to deal with memory vendors such as Crucial that have tested that such sticks work in your machine.

Good luck,

Bob

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RAM slot solder joints..
Feb 4, 2005 6:08AM PST

Heres the problem and thats the plain and simple truth.. You need the RAM slots resoldered.. (I Do about 5 of these a week and I know the FX series well).. They also have other issues I dont wish to divulge at this time as business is crucial. But the ram problem can easilly be repaired by us if you need help at a reasonable cost just yell.
www.ikenfixit.com

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BIO-s update...
Feb 4, 2005 3:55AM PST

Thanks Bob,

How do you do a BIOs update?

Thx

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How to update the BIOS.
Feb 4, 2005 4:10AM PST

I will NEVER tell you how. You must (shall!) follow the maker's instructions.

I know that sounds like I'm bailing out, but I will not be responsible for a missed step in that procedure.

Bob

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TRY THIS!!! 1-128 and 1-256MB
Feb 4, 2005 4:18AM PST

What happens?

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I tried 1-256
Feb 4, 2005 4:35AM PST

I jsut removed one of the 256-s and left the one I thought was the primary slot (is there such a thing??? "the main slot"?).

Still works, obviously (if I"m typing this)... and still reads as 256...

So, I'll try to add one 128, as u suggested, and see what happens

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Added 128MB => Nothing...
Feb 4, 2005 4:50AM PST

It doesn't read the old one either...

Another observation (and may be I'm just looking too much): do memory chips kinda get warm? It seems that the memory area of my machine got slightly warmer than usual (then again, I never really paid attention to how warm it got) - may be it's normal...

Waiting for suggestions...

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Yes. Memory can be warm.
Feb 4, 2005 5:31AM PST

From all I can tell, they sent you the wrong sticks.

Bob

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What is the MEMORY ORGANIZATION of the 256MB sticks?
Feb 4, 2005 5:34AM PST

Do tell.

Bob

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Memory Org...
Feb 4, 2005 5:43AM PST

All I can say is:

- The user Guide says: "use only PC100 SDRAM SODIMM" memory modules...
- I've found PC100 SDRAM SODIMM and PC133 SDRAM SODIMM, and made sure both were compatible with my machine (from the manufacturer's compatibility list). And decided to order the PC133...

it does work... the problem is why is the second module not get recognized...

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I guess you missed the reason why it may not?
Feb 4, 2005 6:10AM PST

I noted the Chip Select issue. This is why the MEMORY ORGANIZATION is critical. For example, many Intel BX based boards ran into the same issue.

Just because it's 256MB, it fits and your "spec" writes 256MB does not mean it's compatible.

I've tried to help you here but I see you are resisting the problem and its solution. I leave it to you, your laptop and the vendor of these sticks to sort it out.

Bob

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Confused...
Feb 4, 2005 6:15AM PST

You lost me there... and I'm not resisting the solution. I'm just a user, with not much technical understanding of how everything works... What's MEMORY ORGANIZATION? and where shuold I look for it?

Thx.

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It's noted such as...
Feb 4, 2005 7:06AM PST

32M x 64 or ...
2 x 16M x 64 and so on.

Tell what sticks you got. Again why isn't this a warranty issue with the supplier? Why didn't you go with Crucial so they'll get the right parts?

I find that trying generic RAM in laptops to be too hit or miss. I know you want it to work, so go try the Crucial solution.

Bob

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$$$$$
Feb 4, 2005 7:06PM PST

Quit spending money on RAM.. The problem is the RAM slots..I have 15 FX boards on the shelf that I purchased inop, Refurbed, And save for customers machines that require replacement or for resale.(All had bad RAM slot solder joints) By the time youre done buying more RAM you already would have paid to have both slots reworked.. (Yes the issue is noted in both on the FX).. Ken

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DEAL
Feb 4, 2005 7:09PM PST

I'll Tell you what.. Just to get some exposure in this forum.. You pay for round trip ship and we will rework the issue FREE.. This is how POSITIVE I am of the problem you are having as I Work on the FX models every day. When you get it back and all is fine just post a thanx in here thats all I ask..
www.ikenfixit.com

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Temp. Solution....
Feb 6, 2005 2:45AM PST

Ken,

Thanks for the offer. INDEED! that sounds like a deal you can't refuse. I"m seriously considering it.

Meanwhile, I found that it's a poorly-designed-memory-slot problem (Slot #2 in particular), and that it's pretty frequent among VAIO owners... Some came up with jerry-rigging solutions that work, such as placing various "shims" between the cover and the memory module, to press down the module deeper into the socket/slot, kind of.

I cut 2 business cards, in 2 5/8 x 1.25 (almost the exact size of the memody card/module), cushioned them on top of the module and closed the top (it screws on). Da-daaaa - it worked, now I have 512MB finally... Sounds pretty dumb, ain't it? a mechanical problem...

My Q to Ken and Bob is: am I jeopardizing my machine long term (if this will last for another 12 mo - mission accomplished)... I know there is risk, but is it more than 50/50?

Thx.

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I'd get it fixed ASAP.
Feb 6, 2005 3:09AM PST

If nothing else, the havoc that ensues if the memory moduled disconnects during a write to the hard disk will surely wipe out 98% of the PC population.

Why? -> They didn't backup what they couldn't lose.

Bob

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Backing up regularly here...
Feb 6, 2005 7:55AM PST

You're right Bob, there is a risk of losing data.

When the symptoms first started, I bought a 300GB Seagate External HD (by the way, been using over a month, so far works great, quiet, fast, and its backup SW works super), and been backing up my key files and directories daily...

Thanks for the tips.
Nomad

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RAM chips
Feb 6, 2005 7:16PM PST

The biggest issue doing this is it will get worse. Eventually rendering the RAM mod useless. You have time however just keep an eye on the Video, Booting, And watch for spontaneous or intermittent freeze and shutdown issues. Another concern is these tend to kill BIOS chips in High numbers as well And I'm 98% sure it is related. All of these circuits are tied in together. BIOS chips on the FX series are NOT fun to change. Glad you have it running at 512 however and Good luck!