Hello, I am planning on upgrading the RAM in my laptop. Currently, my laptop has two 1024 MB DDR2 sticks (two slots). I checked the manufacturer's website to see what type and how much memory each slot can take. The manual said each slot can only take a maximum of 1024 MB. For my question... what will happen if I try to put 2048 MB DDR2 per slot? I'd really like to have 4 GB of RAM since I will be using Vista 64-bit from now on. My laptop can accept PC-4200, PC-5300 667 MHz DDR2 sticks. Thanks!
Since the manufacturer says it has a max of 1024 per slot it either won't work at all or it will only recognized 1024 of each stick.
The computer wont turn on at all. If the motherboard detects more than is allowed then it will fail to start. If it does start you will get a BSOD and crash.
You could alway see if you can borrow a 2gig memory stick from someone, remove the 2 x 1gig sticks and put the 2gig stick in and see if it will boot.
To outright say it will not boot is incorrect. Have tried excessive (= beyond what is stated as usable by the BIOS) ram on several systems over the years. At worst they did not boot while others did but only recognized up to xxx amount. Less then actually installed. @ ambient_88 You could always check the manufacturers website for any BIOS updates that may allow more ram.
Thats funny because PC3200 RAM is backwards compatible with PC2700 RAM and a motherboard that only accepts PC2700 RAM will not boot even if the RAM is exactly what the motherboard calls for. It will not boot. Ive seen it first hand as a PC tech.
Memory compatibility depends on the processor and North Bridge (for Intel processors). Due to this there may be problems - the best way to avoid it is to always use JEDEC specification compliant sticks, and to use good, well known brand names whenever possible.
FWIW, Newegg has a Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory for $15.99 today only. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086
