Maximum RAM capability?

[Boomyal]

Where might I find the facts. This is regarding a 2006 Toshiba Satellite P105 with a 1.66 ghz Celeron M CPU. with two RAM slots (it came with one 512mb stick)

A label on the computer says 2 gb optional, Crucial.com says it will take 4 gb. I did some googling and see references to the 2 gb limit, but nothing I could call definitive.

I bought 4 g ( 2 x 2 GB DDR2 5300) and installed them. It only shows 2.99 GB. I then took one out and tested them one at a time and each one showed 1.99 gb. I then reinstalled them in the reverse order from my original installation. The laptop would not boot. I reversed them again and the computer came up to a black screen that said there was some kind of issue and it would not boot. I powered it off and restarted it and it did reboot but still only shows 2.99 GB total.

If this was not meant to take 4 gb, then these issues are understandable but I would like to know for sure.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

A windows XP machine will never show all of the memory installed in it, my XP pro desktop with 4 gigs in it right now only shows that is has 3.25gb available. It depends on how it is configured, but the operating system and other programs can take up to a gig in overhead.

You are having trouble finding the max memory spec, because there is several different versions of that particular model, there should be a label on it that states P105-Sxxxx, without knowing the exact model it is going to be difficult to track down what the max memory specs are.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

MT, it is a Satellite P105 Model PSPAOU-1X5032.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

I can see one of the problems, the memory you are putting in it is faster than the mother board can handle, the specs for speed on that machine is PC 4200 DDR2, but based on what I am reading, it will take 4gb of memory, but remember, windows will not show the max available due to architecture limitations in the older windows operating systems, namely it is running a 32 bit version of windows.

Another thing to be aware of, make sure the upgrade modules are Non-ECC memory.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Yeah, they are Non-ECC. I learned that pitfall a long time ago. I am not sure what it means but ECC memory can be had for less than half the price of Non-ECC.

If my memory serves me, a computer can use faster RAM, it just won't operate as fast as it is made to do.

I think that I am going to recommend that my friend step up to something more capable. I brought his home and like at his shop, half the time you have to re-boot to get it to hook up with a strong wireless signal. This thing is showing that takes more fussing to operate than my friend has time, knowledge or patience. That is not even mentioning the difference in internet reception speed.

If I didn't mention it, his registers 9.5 mbps download on my wireless. My 2012 Toshiba registers 31mbps on the same wireless.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

There is a lot of things that can affect speed on a wireless, that computer looks like it is about 7 years old, so it is not going to have all the umph the newer stuff has, besides the wireless card, the mother board has to be able to handle the upgraded speeds as well Seems to me you mentioned that is a T2060 processor in that machine? If so, I believe that is a pentium and not a celeron here is a link to the CPU specs:

ARK | Intel? Pentium? Processor T2060 (1M Cache, 1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB)

 

[matt167]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Yes, you should be able to use faster ram and it will run at the max speed the mobo can use or the lowest speed memory installed.. Your issue is Win XP 32 bit can only see 3.25gb of ram. You see 2.99gb because it is using the lost .25gb as video ram. You can go into the Bios and change it, but there is no reason to.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

I know your suppose to be able to use faster memory, but I know with intel based laptops I have had in the past, there have been quite a few stability issues, which is why I never put faster memory in than what was specified for the machine. Now you might be able to go into the BIOS and play with the speeds a bit to see if you can adjust voltage and bus speeds and stabilize it, but it is a pain in the you know what and you can fry the puter if you don't get it right.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

There is a lot of things that can affect speed on a wireless, that computer looks like it is about 7 years old, so it is not going to have all the umph the newer stuff has, besides the wireless card, the mother board has to be able to handle the upgraded speeds as well Seems to me you mentioned that is a T2060 processor in that machine? If so, I believe that is a pentium and not a celeron here is a link to the CPU specs:

ARK | Intel? Pentium? Processor T2060 (1M Cache, 1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB)

No MT, is a 160 ghz Celeron M with 189K system cache (according to task manager)

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

OK,

As I said, there are a lot of models that have that same P105 designation, I saw over a dozen when doing some quick searches. As you said, his best bet is probably going to be get a newer computer.

Here is the link for the M420 CPU, it has about the same specs as the T2060, but does not have Virtualization technology.

http://ark.intel.com/products/27149/Intel-Celeron-M-Processor-420-1M-Cache-1_60-GHz-533-MHz-FSB

Did you ever download that CPU ID program I mentioned the other day?

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

OK,.....Did you ever download that CPU ID program I mentioned the other day?

Yeah I did. I had already forgotten about it so I went back and checked it. It did confirm that it was a Celeron M.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Did you notice which Motherboard and the Manufacture of the motherboard is? it will also tell you quite a few other things if you click on the various tabs.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Did you notice which Motherboard and the Manufacture of the motherboard is? it will also tell you quite a few other things if you click on the various tabs.

Well I guess I didn't look that close. If I do, would that tell you anything?

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Well I guess I didn't look that close. If I do, would that tell you anything?

Yes,

I would be able to pretty much track down everything that can effect speed of the wireless, chipset, board manufacture and specifications, there is a whole bunch of stuff you can track down when you know the motherboard manufacture, so if you get a chance, let me know what it is.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Yes,

I would be able to pretty much track down everything that can effect speed of the wireless, chipset, board manufacture and specifications, there is a whole bunch of stuff you can track down when you know the motherboard manufacture, so if you get a chance, let me know what it is.

Yup, sometimes the system manufacturer will specify less memory than the boards can actually handle - due to heat issues or power issues. My current Dell latitude is a good example - Dell says 8GB max, chipset has a 16GB max. Runs just fine with 16GB

 

[dolluper]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Boom check your wireless card specs......ram has nothing to do with wireless down + upload speeds....my oldie on xp with a gig is the same as wife's modern 16 gig monster
802.11 wired runs 100 mbps on our wireless best connection does 54 mbps.....your protolcal may vary from mine if your running newer wireless cards....and newer proto router

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Boom check your wireless card specs......ram has nothing to do with wireless down + upload speeds....my oldie on xp with a gig is the same as wife's modern 16 gig monster
802.11 wired runs 100 mbps on our wireless best connection does 54 mbps.....your protolcal may vary from mine if your running newer wireless cards....and newer proto router

How can I check the wireless card specs? It does not show up on the CPU-Z utility that MT gave me.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Boom check your wireless card specs......ram has nothing to do with wireless down + upload speeds....my oldie on xp with a gig is the same as wife's modern 16 gig monster
802.11 wired runs 100 mbps on our wireless best connection does 54 mbps.....your protolcal may vary from mine if your running newer wireless cards....and newer proto router

I don't think anyone was talking about wireless speed and memory configuration slowing it down, those where actually two different conversations within the same thread.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Boom,

It won't show up in the Cpuid program, but knowing the MB and the manufacture you can track down the network hardware they used when the board was built, or you can open the access panel on the bottom of the laptop and often times the wireless card with be there and you can get the information off of the wireless card, also you can go the system page under the control panel, then click on Hardware devices and it will show which wireless card is being used.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: Maximum RAM capability?

Yes,

I would be able to pretty much track down everything that can effect speed of the wireless, chipset, board manufacture and specifications, there is a whole bunch of stuff you can track down when you know the motherboard manufacture, so if you get a chance, let me know what it is.

MT, on the 'mainboard' tab of the CPU-Z utility, all it shows is:
Manufacturer-Toshiba, Model-P105,
Chipset Model- I945GM Rev 03

The CPU-Z utility clearly does show that I have installed 4 gb of 5300 ram. That is is contrast to the System properties which only accounts for 2.99 GB.

....and yes there is an internet speed issue. This LT shows 1/3 the download speed of my own LT, on the same wireless signal. It only gets 1.27 mbps on his wireless connection. Today I am going to stop by with my LT and see what speed it registers on his wireless signal.

I will have to check on his wireless card specs later today. I got to gits!