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Thread ID: 52491 2004-12-20 14:56:00 Memory upgrade for laptop E|im (87) Press F1
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305989 2004-12-20 14:56:00 Hi, I was thinking of getting some extra RAM for my ol' Dad and his Laptop seeing it's Christmas 'n' all. Usually he's running about 15 applications running on XP Home trying to do some work with only 256 MBs of RAM. Sounds horrible I know. :rolleyes:

How about another 256 MBs to make it go a bit faster? ;)

Ok here's the specs of the Laptop:

Sony Vaio PCG-FR720 (about a year old)
Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M, 1666 MHz (12.5 x 133) 2200+
Barton, 512k cache

North Bridge VIA VT8366A Apollo KT266A

Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type DDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 151 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 303 MHz
Bandwidth 2423 MB/s

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Infineon 64D32020GDL7B
Serial Number 0342F3E6h
Manufacture Date Week 38 / 2003
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings:
@ 142 MHz 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 133 MHz 2.0-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Ok so for optimal performance I need some 2-3-3-6 rated memory at PC2100?

Do I have to use Infineon which doesn't seem to be sold here in NZ, or can I use any brand?

I think this (www.pricespy.co.nz) is the correct pricespy category. I'm looking for SODIMM stuff is that right?

How easy is this to install in the laptop? Or should I just get a computer repair shop to do it? That wouldn't void Sony's warranty would it?

Any other suggestions? Thanks :) 		E|im (87)
305990 2004-12-20 15:26:00 Infineon is indeed sold here and is on the cheaper price side. You don't have to match brands.

Going by what you've said about it, I'd go for 256MB PC2100 DDR SODIMM Memory.

Installation could be easy, usually the underside of the laptop has a small cover that just needs unscrewing and you can slide the memory module in, but you should confront the laptop manual (online if you don't have it) and check where they install the memory modules.

Cheers,


Kame 		Kame (312)
305991 2004-12-20 16:21:00 Thanks Kame, sounds good. I'll hunt around for a manual. :)

Some of the PC2700 memory I see on Pricespy is rated at CAS 2.5. Is it possible that this will run at CAS 2.0-3-3-6 at PC2100 like the other stick of memory? 		E|im (87)
305992 2004-12-21 01:31:00 I'm looking round for the manual now. Not having much luck online, and he seems to have lost it around the house somewhere. Anyone know how to find it? I've searched the sony nz and sony .com sites and neither seem to have it. E|im (87)
305993 2004-12-21 02:41:00 I was having a look at a Vaio recently. The manual was on the harddisk,with an icon on the desktop. :)

Have a good look. Some of those Vaios are so compact that there might be only one memory slot. 		Graham L (2)
305994 2004-12-21 02:50:00 I was having a look at a Vaio recently. The manual was on the harddisk,with an icon on the desktop. :)

Have a good look. Some of those Vaios are so compact that there might be only one memory slot.

This from the sony site
"When To Use VAIO Manual

When assistance is needed in using the VAIO computer:

Double-click on the desktop to start VAIO Manual. "

Try it , you might like it! 		theother1 (3573)
305995 2004-12-30 07:23:00 Well I managed to get a 256mb stick for cheap and it arrived in time for Christmas so that was great. I'm sure Dad will be happy once it's installed! Anyone know any particular sites that have a guide for installing memory in this specific laptop?

I found the manual and it wasn't very helpful, just said to contact Sony support and get them to do it. I found this site (tuxmobil.org) which details instructions for heaps of laptops but not this particular model. Closest instructions could be this guide (www.divideby0.com) and this one (www.myplc.com).

Would they be close enough to follow? I've just had a look and this laptop doesn't seem to have the two small screws in the side of it to remove the purple bit. 		E|im (87)
305996 2005-01-09 13:15:00 Hey, just a quick update.

I found the memory in the middle panel on the back of the laptop. I hadn't opened that one before because the screwdriver wasn't unscrewing the tiny screws. I had to push a bit harder with the screwdriver to open it, but it's there and I managed to install the other so-dimm without much effort. He now has 512MB and running at 2-3-3-6. :) Everest confirms it only running at 2T timings though which must hurt performance a bit. Been into the BIOS but nothing there to change it to 1T.

Oh well, 512MB should make things go a bit quicker! ;)

Thanks for the help people especially Kame. :) 		E|im (87)
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