Does laptop memeory "act" differently then desktop memory?

[PushHands]

I purchased a used stick of 64mb 144pin pc66 sodimms laptop memory and I've tried it in two laptops and they can't seem to detect the memory. The first laptop is a Dell Inspiron 4100 which takes pc133 ram, and the other is a Toshiba Satellite 1735 which has 64mb pc100 on board.

I tried in the dell laptop with a combination of the other sticks of ram and with the one I bought alone as well. Since the toshiba has onboard, I couldn't swap that out and try the pc66 ram alone.

I recollect that on desktops, if you installed ram into your system, they would run only as fast as your fastest stick. So if you're slowest was pc66, all the other ram would reduce their speed and step down to pc66.

Now, should laptop memory be the same? Or am I missing something. I want to check the ram to make sure it isn't damage.

UPDATE: I searched using the chip number D4564163G5-A10-9JF 9907EETI6 and came up with this website that indicates that the chips are pc100.

update 2: This website indicates that the chips are indeed pc100. Hence, shouldn't this stick of ram work in the toshiba since the onboard ram is pc100 as well? Hmmm..

update 3: This pdf file from Intel again verifies that the chipset is pc100 and has passed their tests.

 

[bozo1]

I recollect that on desktops, if you installed ram into your system, they would run only as fast as your fastest stick. So if you're slowest was pc66, all the other ram would reduce their speed and step down to pc66.

That's not really true. The other ram doesn't reduce its speed. YOU have to reduce the speed in your BIOS or via jumpers. Most laptops don't have these options. It's not surprising that PC66 won't work in systems needing PC100 or PC133.

 

[PushHands]

bump for updates

 

[bozo1]

It should work in the Toshiba.

Do you know who made the modules and what the model number is? While the chips may be rated at PC100, it is not uncommon for generic RAM companies to take chips that failed testing at say 100MHZ but pass at a lower speed, use them on their modules and sell them as PC66.

 

[bacillus]

dell laptops are very fickle about which ram you use!

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: bozo1
It should work in the Toshiba.

Do you know who made the modules and what the model number is?

The chips are NEC, which I always thought were pretty good quality chips.

 

[PushHands]

do you guys think the ram is dead on arrival?

 

[busmaster11]

My toshiba P3 900 Satelite wasn't about to accept a 256 meg module. Popped in a 128 and it worked.

 

[PushHands]

Originally posted by: busmaster11
My toshiba P3 900 Satelite wasn't about to accept a 256 meg module. Popped in a 128 and it worked.

It is probably because your laptop has a maximum memory capacity, and mine has the max restriction set at 192mb, so this additional 64mb makes it a total of 128mb, which is way below the max capacity. Good point to consider though busmaster11.

 

[fr]

The Inspiron 4100 requires PC133. I've read in some cases that mixing memory speeds can cause recognition problems as well.

 

[busmaster11]

Originally posted by: PushHands

Originally posted by: busmaster11
My toshiba P3 900 Satelite wasn't about to accept a 256 meg module. Popped in a 128 and it worked.

It is probably because your laptop has a maximum memory capacity, and mine has the max restriction set at 192mb, so this additional 64mb makes it a total of 128mb, which is way below the max capacity. Good point to consider though busmaster11.

What modern chipset has such a low limit? If what you are saying is true, it is inacceptable, and I would stay away from Toshiba like the plague - which I've pretty much decided on already...