adding too much ram than recommended for the machine...

[joko]

i have just upgraded my ram, and now have 2 x 512gb ram modules spare

i have looked into installing them in my mums dell latitude C810 laptop, but on crucials site it says this machine can handle a maximum of 512mb

is this just a guide ? or will i wreck it by installing the 1gb?
or will it just have no effect at all?

is it worth a try?

thanks

[society]

I know nothing of what you are asking, but a question or two as I'm curious... :-)

Is the computer working?

[The-HouseHusband]

It will all depend on the make of the mother board and the BIOS chip that is fitted. It is worth a try if they are the correct type as more RAM makes for a smoother operation of the computer.

Usually the worst to happen is that the computer will fail to boot with the new RAM fitted if it is not compatible, replacing the original RAM and rebooting will usually have everything back to square one. (please do not shout at me if you try it and something nasty happens)

[joko]

yes it works fine, its just a touch slow and i have these spare so figured may as well give them to my mum

as long as by trying it cannot break anything i may as well see if it helps

so it wont just instantly blow it or anything

[RATTER15]

Don't do it until you have a definite answer, you could screw it up big time!!

[The-HouseHusband]

It shouldnt do any harm, just make sure you earth yourself first to get rid of any static electicity, static will kill a computer faster than most things around.

I tried the same when I upgraded one of the kids laptops and thought i could save a few pennies by putting the old RAM into one of the other kids laptops, all that happened is i wasted 15mins as the laptop wouldnt boot with the extra chip in, it was fine again once removed

[society]

A while back I too wanted to upgrade and bought some ram; I believe its 500 mb and it came in two sticks. I wasn't sure what I was doing and if to use both sticks and asked on here. Sadly no one answered so the ram is still sitting in its package.

[joko]

would it be ok to maybe just add one of these modules?

i am not sure what it has in it at the moment you see so if its only 256 (2x 133) could i jiust put one 512 in so its at it max and leave one slot empty? or must they both be filled?

[johne1892]

Hi Joko, I just looked at the spec of that laptop and it says it somes with 256Mb.

It also says that if you only put in 1 it must go in the DimmA socket. So yes, you can put in 1 according to that.

[AlBags]

It will fail to boot ...
It will boot and recognise only the supported amount of RAM considering the Mobo and Processor fitted.
One or the other.
You won't damage it .. But you should look at what is supported before you try, really.

[joko]

yes albags...the site said maximum of 512mb....but wondered if this was just being cautious....

[AlBags]

One stick of max size for a slot will be fine ..but if mobo supports Dual Channel memory, a matched pair would be better sticking with.
TBH, you would notice no difference between them unless you were doing long intensive processing jobs.

[AlBags]

Yes ... But you looked at Crucial site .. not Dell support site, right?

[cazzz1975]

you would have to put 2x 256mb, Im sure they would have to be match pairs otherwise it wont fire up.

[AlBags]

What a Mobo supports is the maximum it will recognise.
After that, the only thing that changes it is a Bios update.

[AlBags]

fire up lol : )

Simple: If it is a Dual-Channel board, you should really fit matched size to the specified slots and try anything or nothing in any other slots up to maximum supported. It will work OK with one/mixed tho.
Non Dual-Channel, you 'can' fit different size sticks so long as other specs match.

[fiesata]

I agree with Allbags last two answers It just won't boot if you try to put too much memory in - the crucial site is very accurate at stating the memory a PC can handle - have used it a lot and it's never failed me yet

[scotman]

There is a free program called SIW(System Information for Windows) which you can download and run. This will analyse your motherboard and give an idea how much memory it can cope with.

[AlBags]

There is nothing quite like manufacturers information tho ..
Different revisions of motherboards can handle different processors and/or memory, etc.

[ABerrant]

If the spare memory modules are from your Compaq Presario F500 they would be 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM and not physically compatible with the Dell Latitude C810 which requires 144-pin SDRAM SO-DIMM.