Bizarre RAM scenario ...

Hi

I've a bizarre scenario. I bought new RAM for my Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop. I checked with Lenovo's website on the RAM to upgrade with and I ended up with 2 x Kingston 1GB RAM. Both the packaging and kingston website stated it was compatible with my laptop.

- So ... plugged in new 1GB RAM to slot A, no probs, booted into vista (old 512 RAM in slot
- Then plugged new 1GB RAM into slot B (new 1GB RAM still in slot A also) ... no joy. Wouldn't even go into BOIS, but showed lenovo startup screen
- Finally plugged the second new 1GB RAM into slot A instead of first new RAM (put back old 512 RAM into slot ... worked

Outcome is two new working RAM modules, but only 1 slot that will accept them.

Would anyone have any crafty ideas on where I'm going wrong, what I need to change to make the RAM work please?

Thank you in advance!

Specs are;
Make/model: Lenovo 3000 N100
CPU: Intel Core Duo 1.73GHz
HDD: 120GB 5400rpm
Memory: 1024 MB
Max. memory: 2048 MB
GPU: Intel GMA 945

 

Do your old modules work on both the slots?.....................

 

Update BIOS.

 

Yup, they both work in both slots

 

Is there an easy way to update the BIOS or a thread with instructions?

 

Moved to Lenovo forums.

Should be fairly easy. You usually just have to go and download winflash from the Lenovo driver page, flash the new BIOS and restart. It should only take a minute or two

Make sure:
-all uncessary programs and AV's are turned off.
-battery and ac power is plugged in
-do not interrupt the flashing

A bad flash can render your notebook useless and can be a pain to recover.

 

So you'd recomment backing up the hard drive first? ... or would that make no difference if the BIOS gets messed up.

Just so I understand, what does updating the BIOS do and how does it fix my issue?

 

No need to backup your HD, the BIOS will not affect it.

As soon as you turn on your notebook, the BIOS is responsible for initializing all the hardware installed. (Just do a quick google on BIOS)

The newer the BIOS, the more stuff it fixes and supports. Some BIOS updates unlocks more RAM support and newer CPU support.

 

Brilliant ... thanks very much, I will try that soon as I get home tonight and update later on.

 

I have flashed the BIOS, and for some reason it remained the same version, so I checked online and found out that my version 63ET62WW, is the latest version for the N100. There's a C100 BIOS which other people have flashed which has ruined their laptop, so I'm leaving that.

Tried putting the RAM back into the slot that wouldn't take last time, and still no luck.

Are there any other suggestions please?

 

Hi flipfire

Would you have any other suggestions please?

Thank you

 

What speed is the RAM you purchased anyway? 667mhz or 800mhz?

Try unplugging your AC power and taking out the battery pack. Hold the power button for 30 seconds to discharge the system and try booting up again.

Im out of ideas to be honest. Try calling Lenovo support.

 

It's 667mhz. Would that make a difference for the system if it were the 800mhz ones?

I'll try the unplugging, and failing that, will call Lenovo. Thanks again

 

probably a bad slot, inspect it for bent pins. Are you still under warranty?

 

It could be the new RAMs don't work with each other. I upgraded the RAM on my Dell desktop this past summer and had a similar problem. Either of the new sticks would work with either of the old sticks, but the two new sticks wouldn't work together and the system would hang. The seller (I bought the RAM on ebay) took back both sticks and sent me a replacement set that was tested to work together. Worked fine after that.