I have a
Sony Vaio PCG-K23 which came preinstalled with 2 x 256MB
Infineon HYS64D32020GDL-7-B PC2100 SO-DIMMs. I recently purchased 2 x 512MB
Patriot Memory PSD512333S PC2700 SO-DIMMs hoping to replace the Infineon SO-DIMMs and bring it up to the maximum capability of 1GB. I realise that the PC2700 parts will only run at PC2100 speeds so don't worry about that. However when I install the 2 x 512MB parts the laptop (BIOS and Windows) still only reports 512MB.
Lavalys Everest reports the following BIOS details:
Code:
[ BIOS ]
BIOS Properties:
Vendor Phoenix Technologies LTD
Version R0110X1
Release Date 05/19/2004
Size 512 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS, Smart Battery
Supported Standards DMI, ACPI, ESCD, PnP
Expansion Capabilities PCI, AGP, PCMCIA, USB
and unfortunately I can't find any BIOS update available from Sony. I've tried
eSupport but they don't say in advance of purchase what BIOS update you are buying for your $30.
I installed one of each SO-DIMMs just to collect the details on them for comparison and Everest gives the following:
Code:
SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: PDP Systems 512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz)
DIMM2: Infineon 64D32020GDL7B 256 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM (2.5-3-3-7 @ 142 MHz) (2.0-3-3-6 @ 133 MHz)
and
Code:
[ DIMM1: PDP Systems (512 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM) ]
Memory Module Properties:
Module Name PDP Systems
Serial Number None
Module Size 512 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2700 (166 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh
Memory Timings:
@ 166 MHz 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 133 MHz 2.0-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported
[ DIMM2: Infineon 64D32020GDL7B ]
Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Infineon 64D32020GDL7B
Serial Number 010C5B16h
Manufacture Date Week 32 / 2004
Module Size 256 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh
Memory Timings:
@ 142 MHz 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 133 MHz 2.0-3-3-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported
Memory Module Manufacturer:
Company Name Infineon Technologies AG
Product Information ...
and the following about the North Bridge:
Code:
[ North Bridge: ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP ]
North Bridge Properties:
North Bridge ATI Mobility Radeon 7000 IGP
Memory Timings:
CAS Latency (CL) 2T
RAS To CAS Delay (tRCD) 3T
RAS Precharge (tRP) 3T
Memory Slots:
DRAM Slot #1 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)
DRAM Slot #2 256 MB (DDR SDRAM)
Does anybody know what the problem here might be with the laptop not recognising the full capacity of the 512MB parts? Could it be
- The Patriot parts are simply not compatible?
- The BIOS needs an upgrade (if so - where would be a good place to get this since I can't get it from Sony)?
- The Infineon 2 ranks, 4 banks versus the Patriot 1 rank, 4 banks details above are significant?
- The North Bridge/memory controller is limited even though the Sony specs on the laptop claim that up to 1GB of RAM (2 x 512MB) is possible?
- Something else?
If anybody needs further technical information feel free to ask and I'll post it. Thanks in advance for any assistance that anybody here can provide on this query.