Windows Vista, CPUz not recognizing extra RAM

Hey,

I'm trying to pop an extra 2GB memory module into my laptop but Vista does not recognize it. I opened the bay and restarted the system twice now (firmly putting it in), but it is still only reading 1 GB of RAM. Same with CPUz and the performance tab of the task manager.

Toshiba Satellite Pro L300D
Windows Vista Premium 32bit
1 GB ---- > 3GB
1.9Ghz AMD *2...

 

Does the BIOS recognize the RAM?

 

let me restart and find out

 

Bios is only recognizing 1024mb as well.

hmm, maybe I update the bios via download...

 

Try changing the two memory modules, with each other. If that doesn't work, try just the 2GB.

 

ya I would try swapping using just the 2GB.

 

Toshiba says that your model has the module bays on top of each other rather than side by side. If that's the case, then make sure you insert the 2GB module in the bottom slot while testing it with only the 2GB module. I don't believe it should affect detection when both modules are inserted, but I suppose you'll find out when you switch the bays.

 

O.k swapping them worked (2GB is recognized).

Thanks guys

Q. Is there any reason I shouldn't keep the 1GB stick in there (it's on top now) even though it's not being recognized? (for the time being...)

 

Cap on the system might be 2GB max (BIOS limitation)...
I would not leave it in there if it's not being seen.

 

What's the specific model of the laptop? Though Toshiba only offers the L300D series with a max of 2GB, I have a hard time believing they'd be so... lame... as to cap it at 2GB. Allow me to do some research for you.

 

Seems like your laptop has a 4GB limit:

http://www.overstock.com/Electronic...o-L300D-EZ1001V-Notebook/3110595/product.html

Not sure what the problem for you is exactly. Might be worth updating your BIOs if you know how.

 

Toshiba Satellite L300D-01Q

 

Yeah, I'm having a hard time finding their bios drivers. They have them on the UK site, but my specific unit isn't on the UK site, the Canadian site has no bios updates, but drivers for everything else, the US website is confusing

 

Everything I've found says the cap should be 4GB. As AuroraAlpha says, update the BIOS.

When you took out the 1GB stick, you still have 2GB detected, right?
Could be a problem with the memory slot itself...

 

It's recognizing the 2GB's on the bottom, but neither have been recognized on top.

Let me try to find the bios update for this system, before I start worrying about the memory slot, that may be the problem though.

 

Well since it requires a certain order of population we won't jump to that conclusion.

Check the bottom of the laptop for a model number that's a bit... longer. I checked Toshiba's website and there's no L300D-01Q, they're all like L300D-likeeightdigits.

 

Yeah you're right, sorry, it's the:

PSLC0C-01Q08C

 

Bad news, as far as I can tell, there is not an updated BIOS for that laptop.

Conclusion: probably a bad memory slot.

 

- Let me ask the guys in the Toshiba sub-forum
- If that doesn't work, then I'll contact Futureshop -> Toshiba Canada

Thanks for the help.

 

Good luck, sorry I wasn't of more assistance.

 

You guys were right, it's a motherboard issue, but this is what they told me:

I was not wearing a 'grounded belt' (even though I did touch the metal doornob...) therefore I will have to contact Toshiba Canada for a motherboard replacement (which they may try to get me to pay for, I'm not sure yet) and fututeshop is therefore not liable for selling a defective product to begin with, so they transferred the issue to Toshiba Canada (of course futureshop wouldn't want to replace it straight up, I wonder how many times they use the 'grounded belt' excuse when it comes to motherboards and RAM... ).

I think it was a faulty motherboard to begin with.

I haven't contacted Toshiba Canada yet, becuase I need to clarify this:

- If I did in fact 'destroy the motherboard' with static from my hands, wouldn't that mean no RAM would work in either slot? If this is the case then I'm not taking that bull from Toshiba Canada as well.

 

It's possible that static destroyed one slot or the other, but if RAM works in both slots, just not at the same time, then it was faulty to begin with (I actually forget if this was the case and don't feel like going back to read it all).

I honestly don't believe static destroyed this. You will KNOW when you mess up with static, you will feel and/or see the static discharge. Beyond that, I work in the PC repair industry and don't know anyone who wears a static wristband. Components are just soooo much more resilient to static than they used to be, I haven't seen something damaged or destroyed by static in years.

Call back and tell them you didn't think you'd need a static belt because you were on an anti-static workmat and wearing latex gloves when working
Just as effective...

 

O.k thanks for the help

 

I agree with Hep on all counts. I suppose it's possible that slot B could alone have been affected. If hypothetically that's what you were touching when the static discharged.

I've found the static thing to be bologna though. During the 10 years I've been a computer enthusiast I've never worried about static. I remember when me and my friend were teens we would lay out all of our computer parts on the carpet to trade with each other. The static never killed anything on us.

Still, it is technically possible and recommended by manufacturers to ground yourself. So they could cop out of replacement by saying that you improperly serviced your machine.

You should browse through the user guide and see if they explicitly tell you to wear a grounding belt when servicing the RAM. If not, then that may be a claim you can make. Or pretend you were grounded .

 

A static discharge?
Possible, but highly unlikely.
I could have fried my friends laptop ram slot like that, my own laptops ram slot, and my desktop ram slot several times by now, yet ... nothing happened.

Likelihood of what happened:
Faulty ram slot from the start (motherboard issue) that has nothing to do with the (hypothetical) static discharge.
If there would be a static discharge even, I don't think it would be strong enough to destroy anything.

They are just mulling their way out of repairing this under warranty of getting cash from you.

 

The dissection of this issue greatly troubles me. No not in the moral conflict of honesty and truth. While I will admit not a good read for anyone under ten as discussion does mention dishonesty, the withholding and even misrepresentation of facts.

No, that is is not what troubles me. What troubles me is the complete inability of posters to ascertain the problem, and with that knowledge. To determine/inform and suggest or understand. If it was done likely no level of (suggested dishonesty) deceit would be necessary.

OK both sticks work? Because in slot A they do?

Well I agree the static issue is weak. But while weak the attacks on it are also weak. Reason #1 is the complete failure to believe it does exist.

No let us go further? Why does OP or the posters even care what future shop thinks? Their product works? They are only offering one hypothesis of what could have gone wrong. It is not a definitive diagnosis just guess work.

To OP futurshop's opinion shouldn't ever even be mentioned in discussions with Toshiba is, well beyond me.

To all posters I may have offended. I think the fact the RAM still works rules out static discharge. If it was going to fry the MoBo would of fried the RAM also.

Only my comments to what I thought was getting very off base. OP has nothing to hide do not coach him too.

 

I mentioned them both because:

Futureshop controls the replacement of the unit in it's entirety, I believe that is why they were giving me a hard time.

Toshiba has various affiliates (small computer shops) in Canada that only repair units.

I'm trying to figure out whether futureshop should replace, or toshiba affiliate should repair. Just trying to get as much information as I can, so I don't know where you're going with the: "The dissection of this issue greatly troubles me"... it shouldn't.

... I understand what you mean about 'nothing to hid', good point

 

I guess I did not have all the facts. My comment about the dissection of the issue had to do with the suggestions of needing to be dishonest. I thought the facts were clear. But I guess I am incorrect. Only insofar as Future shops interest in this. Good Luck!

 

Wow, I'm glad you've been banned, because you're clearly an idiot.
If the distributor of his warranty is being dishonest, he may have to be dishonest to get what is rightfully his.

And I didn't say static discharge damage was impossible, I said it unlikely caused this damage. And the idea that it would absolutely fry both the mobo and RAM is about as unfounded as "static damage does not exist."

Good job, fool.