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I'll try to make this short. I have a Toshiba Satellite m-105, with 512 mb of RAM.
I also have a broken Toshiba Satellite A215, which I believe the RAM card is still fine.
Is it possible to swap out the RAM of the A215 into my second slot of M105? If so, can you guys link me to a website with good directions on how to do this?
I know 1GB RAM is dirt cheap, but I'm trying to make the most out of what I have..
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More than likely, the RAM in the broken laptop is in two dimms. Usually if there is say, 512MB total RAM, to save money laptop manufacturers will use two 256MB dimms instead of a single 512MB stick. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a laptop where this wasn't the case. So likely this idea isn't going to work at all.
However, if you are curious, getting to the RAM is usually pretty easy (except on macbooks and old school Dell Inspirons). Should be two small panels in the underside of the laptop each with a single screw. One should be for the hard drive, the other typically gives access to both the WIFI card and RAM. Usually there is some kind of picture or icon to denote which is which, but not always. If you open the wrong one, it's not a big deal, just close it and open the other.
When you find the RAM, you should see two sticks in a horizontal position. On either side of both dimms, there should be two metal clips. Gently pull this clips apart (that is pull them away from the dimm) and the dimm should pop up into a diagonal position and you should be able to simply lift it out. To replace it, put it back into the slot in the diagonal position and gently push it down horizontally and the clips should click into place.
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They both use DDR2 so it should work.
There's normally a panel on the underside with a microchip logo. Size and position varies between laptops. If it's not obvious, just remove panels until you find the right one. Remove SODIMMs by pulling the metal clips at the sides outwards. Insert SODIMMS by pushing them in at a ~40 degree angle and then rotating them into position.
Remove battery & power, take anti-static precautions etc.
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On April 04 2012 01:04 jaj22 wrote: Remove battery & power
Pffft gee thanks captain safety. :D :D :D
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On April 04 2012 01:01 TheToast wrote: More than likely, the RAM in the broken laptop is in two dimms. Usually if there is say, 512MB total RAM, to save money laptop manufacturers will use two 256MB dimms instead of a single 512MB stick. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a laptop where this wasn't the case.
Manufacturers did this when they were shifting old stock, which was common with DDR2 because the price dropped rapidly within a short period. Not universal though. The worst case for the OP is that he goes from 512MB -> 1GB anyway.
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I've done it! however, when I go to system properties, it still says 504 MB of RAM . There was an open slot available in the laptop, so I used it. If the memory card I replaced is faulty, how can I test it?
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On April 04 2012 01:09 jaj22 wrote:Show nested quote +On April 04 2012 01:01 TheToast wrote: More than likely, the RAM in the broken laptop is in two dimms. Usually if there is say, 512MB total RAM, to save money laptop manufacturers will use two 256MB dimms instead of a single 512MB stick. In fact, I don't know that I've ever seen a laptop where this wasn't the case.
Manufacturers did this when they were shifting old stock, which was common with DDR2 because the price dropped rapidly within a short period. Not universal though. The worst case for the OP is that he goes from 512MB -> 1GB anyway.
Oh was he saying that the broken one had 1GB? Okay, I guess that was implied when he mentioned the price of 1GB of RAM.
On April 04 2012 01:10 Toasterbaked wrote:I've done it! however, when I go to system properties, it still says 504 MB of RAM . There was an open slot available in the laptop, so I used it. If the memory card I replaced is faulty, how can I test it?
I double checked on the specs and both should be able to support DDR2 PC 5300 RAM, so if the system is not detecting one of the dimms it's possible it is bad. That seems especially likely since you pulled it out of a "broken" laptop.
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A215s were mostly 2x1GB, I think. It'd be nice to know what this one actually has.
OEM PCs and especially laptops are often picky about memory order due to crappy BIOS, so try different combinations. Larger stick in the first slot is more likely to work. Also make sure that the sticks are pushed in as far as they go before clipping them down.
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On April 04 2012 01:36 jaj22 wrote: A215s were mostly 2x1GB, I think. It'd be nice to know what this one actually has.
OEM PCs and especially laptops are often picky about memory order due to crappy BIOS, so try different combinations. Larger stick in the first slot is more likely to work. Also make sure that the sticks are pushed in as far as they go before clipping them down.
Here's the specs from Toshiba for the S7422 model. Says they were configured by default with 1024MB PC5300 DDR2 and *possibly both memory slots may be occupied*. So basically there may be one or two dimms based on whatever the manufacturer was able to get cheaper at the time. Looks like the S737 model was 2GB though.
He said the m-105 had only one RAM slot occupied, so that should be a 512MB dimm. Both models are using DDR2 as well, even if the dimm speeds are different they should still work just both at the speed of the slowest dimm.
If the A215 has two dimms, I think the easier first step would be to try the second 512MB dimm in the m-105
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I've tried both cards, it still says 504 mb... Does the system properties recognize and edit the amount of RAM you have, or is it preset and stays the same regardless of what changes you make? EDIT: I got it! The first RAM I installed was not properly in place, or it was dead. Going to enjoy 1Gb RAM in 2012... Thanks TL for helping me with my first computer tweak ever
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On April 04 2012 01:55 Toasterbaked wrote: I've tried both cards, it still says 504 mb... Does the system properties recognize and edit the amount of RAM you have, or is it preset and stays the same regardless of what changes you make?
Okay, first it's not a card. RAM modules are called dimms. lol.
And yes, it should automatically update. I guess I'm a little fuzzy on exactly what you've done. Did you remove both dimms from the m-105 and replace them with the dimms from the A215? If not that's what you should do.
Things to verify: Are you sure the A215 had 1GB installed memory? Are you sure you didn't mix up the dimms when you removed them? Are you sure you've got the dimm you replaced installed correctly? (should be completely horizontal and the clips should be holding it snugly in place)
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