Laptop memory?

TroganTrogan London, UK
edited May 2006 in Hardware
Hey guys, i'm looking for memory for the laptop I have here.

Specs are:
P4 2.8Ghz HT
256 MB DDR RAM - PC2700 (64MB shared onbaord graphics card)
40GB hard drive

Because of the onboard graphics card, the laptop only has 192MB of RAM, which slows the laptop down way too much.

I'm looking to add 256MB or 512MB to the laptop. I want to know what type of memory I can add and what manufacturers I should go for. I'm not looking for the best, just some cheap but decent RAM.


Any advice is appreciated, thanks. :)
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Comments

  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    what is the laptop manufactor and model number
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited March 2006
    Its a Packard Bell EasyNote F7 280

    All the info on the laptop can be found here

    Thanks!
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    http://www.ramcity.com.au/model~Packard%20Bell~EasyNote~M7-280EDW.htm

    http://memx.store.yahoo.com/pabeeaf7me.html

    512MB 184pin PC3200 16chips 32x8 DDR DIMM. is the type

    hope that helps

    looks like it can go up to 1 gig
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited March 2006
    Does it matter if the laptop has PC2700 and I buy a PC3200?

    What manufacturers would you avoid totally? Your first link shows Kingston, are they any good?


    Thanks for your help, gibbonsl :)
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    the laptop will run the 3200 just find

    most laptops memory run off of ths SP? speed of the ram(ie the speed will defult to the speed of the RAM) 2700 = 2700 3200 = 3200

    It might run it at 3200 speeds, if not it will down clock it to 2700

    no way of knowing untill you try

    Kingston is a good company

    i have not had any ram go bad for me, so I cannot say bad about any company

    then agine I do not overclock eather
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited March 2006
    I don't overclock either.

    Whats the difference between desktop RAM and Laptop RAM - will one work in the other or vice versa?

    I'l stick to looking for PC2700, so I know it will work.


    Thanks again :)
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    no desktop RAM is different then laptop RAM

    more compact and less power comsumption

    the 3200 will work in that laptop, just like the desktop it will clock the RAM where it is needed
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    HHHMMMM have you tryed pulling the memory out and looking for the spec. on it

    that laptop is hard to find

    the 184 pin is desktop RAM

    unless that is the second one that i know off that uses desktop RAM

    the Acer 1701-1710 uses desktop compontants(memory and hard drive)
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited March 2006
    soo.. like... im at the packard bell website right now, and its saying that the SiS chipset supports 2 DIMMS?!!!!??!?!?!?!?

    what the heck..

    look at the bottom of the laptop and open the small door where you would be installing the ram at, and look at the ram thats currently installed. is it a long stick of ram? or a short small stick or ram?

    i cant beilive its just a standard Dimm... I WONT BEILIVE IT!!
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    I know, this one is hard to pin down, unless I had the laptop in front of me to see it.
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited March 2006
    The system info says it is 184 pin DDR SDRam--- desktop RAM!!!
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited March 2006
    What does this all mean?

    I'l get the info from inside the laptop, when I can.


    Thanks everyone!
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited March 2006
    it means it might be one of the few laptops that do use desktop RAM
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    Sorry for bumping my thread back up after a month, but I need some quick advice please.

    I'm leaving for PC World in the next 20 mins or so to buy some cheap RAM for the laptop. They don't sell any high-end RAM. :(

    The laptop currently has 256 MB DDR RAM - PC2700.

    I'm going to buy some 256MB or 512MB PNY or VALUE RAM as that is all they sell. So far, i'm looking at the following:

    PNY 512MB PC2700 SODIMM -- £32
    VALUE PC2700 512MB SODIMM DDR -- £30

    Will either one work in the laptop? Is it worth the money? Most of all, will it speed up the laptop?


    Thanks guys!
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    More ram should indeed make everything a bit faster.
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    Thanks Buddha16 :thumbsup:

    I've just come in from PC World after buying the PNY 512MB PC2700 SODIMM for £32.

    Now here comes my newbie question. I've read about grounding to avoid static, but what is that all about? What should I do to install the RAM?

    Thanks :)
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    Yes, you want to make sure you ground yourself before handling your new components. Usually people would ground themselves on the tower chassis but since you have a laptop you might want to try and find something metal to discharge any excess static going through your person instead of onto the memory. Maybe a metal filing cabinet or something. Good luck with your upgrade.:thumbsup:
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    I know you said metal, but would a wooden table work? I have a metal filing cabinet, but its one of those tall 4 draw cabinets.
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    Wood won't work, just go and put your hands on the filing cabinet for a min or two and you'll be fine. The static will dissipate into the metal.
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    I'l go and try the filing cabinet and see how it goes.

    What about anti-static straps - how useful are those?


    Thanks for your help. :)
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    The straps are good, they provide constant static dispersment. I have a small two drawer metal filing cabinet and I attach the strap to either that or the pc chassis I’m working on.
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    OK Cool!

    Well, I don't have any straps but i'm going to try the filing cabinet now.

    I'l let you know how it goes. Wish me luck :D
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    You will be fine with the filing cabinet, just give it a nice big hug and it will take the static away. And good luck!!!:thumbsup:
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    Well, we didn't get the RAM installed. There was one strange screw that wouldn't open with any type of screwdriver. We tried for almost an hour but no go. :grumble:

    Going to take the laptop to PC World tomorrow to get them to open the screw and possibly add the RAM.


    Thanks all! :)
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    Weird, what did the screw look like? Like a hex screw (kinda like a stop sign)?
  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited April 2006
    My bet is on it looking like a astrisk *
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    Yeah, looks like a stop sign - just a big circle in the middle.

    EDIT: I don't think its an asterisk. I was going to take a pic but the batteries have stopped working. Today is not my lucky day. :(
  • Buddha16Buddha16 Austin, Tx Member
    edited April 2006
    How did the trip to PC World go?
  • TroganTrogan London, UK
    edited April 2006
    This is how it went:

    Got to PC World 30 mins before they closed. One of the technicians had a look and found it odd why one screw is different to all the others. He tried to open the screw but had no luck. He said a small allen key would maybe open it. I don't have an allen key that is the right size, so I can't open the back to install the new RAM. :(

    I'm thinking its some kind of lock put there by Packard Bell, so that the laptop does not get tampered with.

    The laptop is still under warranty, so i'll phone the cover plan people and get them to open the screw.

    On a brighter note, I got myself an anti-static wristband. :D


    I'l let you know how it goes! :)
  • rykoryko new york
    edited April 2006
    are you even sure that removing the hex screw will give you access to the RAM? i bet you get it off and it won't even be for the RAM...it will be a mini pci slot or something. that's how it was on my old compaq lappy.

    are you sure the RAM isn't located under the keyboard or something? i know many notebooks are like that, but i am not familiar with your particular model...
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