2GB stick, but PC only reads 1GB

[gate4exec]

I'm helping a neighbor clean up their WinXP machine that is badly infected with malware (They have 2 kids downloading all kinds of slop).
Anyway, I opened up the chassis and noticed a 2GB stick, but the PC is only recognizing 1GB. I thought that was odd. I pulled it out and cleaned the internals with an air compressor to get out the dust and replaced it in the same slot. Still only 1gb though. I haven't tried a different slot yet, but will later.

Is this common? Also, I found some old RAM laying around and figured it I'd try out this 512MB stick. It appears to have 4 slots for RAM.
Would there be any objection to sticking in 512MB with the existing 2GB stick?
Would the PC get any performance increase?

 

[EarthDog]

You shouldnt mix ram.. especially not knowing if the voltage or timings are not the same.

As far as the 1GB... what is reading 1GB? The bios or windows?

 

[gate4exec]

I go to Control Panel -> Systems Properties
It says installed memory of 1GB.

What's the worst that can happen if I put the wrong RAM, it doesn't boot up, right?

I'm looking for overall performance increase.

 

[gate4exec]

Can anyone help me on this?
or point me to a forum that deals with memory questions?

Thx!

 

[fornoob]

+1 against the mix of RAM, you could replace/ switch, but not mix

I would have several questions:

1) Do you have more information about the system? Motherboard? CPU?
2) How did you recognize the size of the RAM? Are you sure it is 2GB and not 1GB (always worth asking )
3) XP 32 or 64 bits?
4) Is it only one stick or two sticks of RAM?
5) Did you check in the BIOS if all sticks are detected?
6) Which graphic card is plugged in? How much graphic memory?

 

[EarthDog]

Can anyone help me on this?
or point me to a forum that deals with memory questions?

Thx!

We are trying... be patient. This isnt an IM client, its a forum.

That said, outside of question #4 which is answered in the first post ("a" stick = singular), Fornoob has some good questions that need answered.

 

[Tech Tweaker]

What is the model of the motherboard?

It might be that the board just doesn't support 2GB sticks of memory, or it could be that it only supports a max of 1GB from all slots combined.

Knowing the motherboard model will make it easier to help you.

Knowing the model of the memory that is in the system would be helpful as well.

 

[gate4exec]

Sony Vaio Model #PCVRS620G
32 bit WinXP
The computer is shipped with "512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR" RAM module and can be expanded up to 2GB.

How does one determine the motherboard model?

 

[Tech Tweaker]

Sony Vaio Model #PCVRS620G
32 bit WinXP
The computer is shipped with "512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR" RAM module and can be expanded up to 2GB.

How does one determine the motherboard model?

Okay, that answers all of my questions.

There is no such thing as a 2GB DDR (or DDR SO-DIMM) memory stick.

They maxed out at 1GB per stick.

So, I'm guessing you have a 1GB stick that was part of a 2GB kit (two sticks) or you have 2x1GB sticks installed.

You gave so little information initially I just assumed this was a desktop computer you were talking about. In this case the motherboard model number isn't that important, the laptop model is sufficient.

 

[gate4exec]

It is a Desktop PC, not a laptop.
Upon closer inspection, I opened it up and looked inside. It appears they have 4 available slots for RAM. One slot is filled. I removed the stick again and it clearly says 2GB on it.
still puzzled...

 

[fornoob]

Sony Vaio Model #PCVRS620G
32 bit WinXP
The computer is shipped with "512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR" RAM module and can be expanded up to 2GB.

How does one determine the motherboard model?

This

It doesn't mean that you will have a 2GB stick, but maybe 2*1GB stick

2GB DDR sticks did exist, as for example:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT25672Y335

But at the time (Pentium 4 CPU with DDR compatible MOBO), the maximum adressable RAM was often 2GB only.

Since at the time your CPU (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/PCVRS620G_mksp.pdf)
did support dual channel, your stick "labelled" 2GB may be a 1GB stick from a 2*1GB dual channel set

 

[Tech Tweaker]

It is a Desktop PC, not a laptop.
Upon closer inspection, I opened it up and looked inside. It appears they have 4 available slots for RAM. One slot is filled. I removed the stick again and it clearly says 2GB on it.
still puzzled...

Well, that's weird as hell.

I've never ever seen a single Vaio Desktop, as far as I know they were all laptops here in the states, unless there was some sort of limited edition desktop or a limited production run or something.

It still could be from a 2GB kit, those were sometimes labeled as 2GB on both sticks even though the individual sticks themselves were only 1GB in capacity, which confuses the heck out of regular PC users and those new to PC's.

Take a picture of it and upload it to this website if you can, just make sure the model number is legible. I'd like to see this thing.

 

[Tech Tweaker]

This

It doesn't mean that you will have a 2GB stick, but maybe 2*1GB stick

2GB DDR sticks did exist, as for example:

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/partspecs.aspx?IMODULE=CT25672Y335

But at the time (Pentium 4 CPU with DDR compatible MOBO), the maximum adressable RAM was often 2GB only.

Since at the time your CPU (http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/PCVRS620G_mksp.pdf)
did support dual channel, your stick "labelled" 2GB may be a 1GB stick from a 2*1GB dual channel set

You're talking high-density Registered ECC server ram there.

I'm talking about low-density regular un-Registered non-ECC desktop and laptop ram.

 

[gate4exec]

It's a PC that was bought back in 2004. I can take a picture later as the neighbors aren't home at the moment.

Out of curiousity, why is it a bad idea to mix RAM?
Below is some RAM leftover from old PCs. Which of this, if any, can be installed? I assume the GEIL sticks would work because it appears they match the original system specs for the PC.

A. 1 stick of GEIL 256MB PC3200, DDR400, CL=2.5-8-4-4
GE5123200BDC

B. 1 stick of GEIL 256MB PC3200, DDR400, CL=2.5-8-4-4
GE5123200BDC

C. 1 stick of Samsung 512MB DDR PC2700 CL2.5, PC2700U-25331-Z
M368L6423FTN-CB3

 

[gate4exec]

I installed the 2 sticks of GEIL 256MB RAM and it booted successfully.
The system properties now say 1.5GB installed.
Here's a pic of the existing RAM stick in question and the internals of the PC.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6zs52hffdc9nsec
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?74magpepldqwcsn

 

[azanimefan]

Yeah... the Vaio was also a VERY overpriced desktop around 2000-2004

 

[Tech Tweaker]

I installed the 2 sticks of GEIL 256MB RAM and it booted successfully.
The system properties now say 1.5GB installed.
Here's a pic of the existing RAM stick in question and the internals of the PC.
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?6zs52hffdc9nsec
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?74magpepldqwcsn

Yep, just as I thought.

You have a 1GB stick that was originally part of a 2x1GB kit.

Look right below the 2GB, it says (2X1GB) kit, meaning two 1GB sticks paired to add up to two gigabytes of memory.

Here's what I found when I looked up the part number.

 

[gate4exec]

Thanks for the help everyone.
Out of curiosity, does anyone think that maxing out the RAM at 2GB will improve PC performance?
I stumbled across this link on Amazon and figured this might be a good purchase for $33 dollars (US):
http://www.amazon.com/KOMPUTERBAY-400Mhz-PC3200-DESKTOP-MEMORY/dp/B003CH6ZR0
Thoughts?

 

[azanimefan]

generally speaking you can bottleneck at 1gb in XP... i've found 1.5gb tends to be the breakwater... at that point your bottlenecking is limited...

 

[gate4exec]

no idea what bottlenecking means...