Memory Chip Modding of a RAM module to scale it down from 2GB to 1.5GB

[aiamuzz]

Hi,

Objective : To successfully remove the memory chips from a RAM stick and reduce its capacity. (Ultimately be able to scale down a 2GB memory stick to a 1.5GB memory stick)
- A 200 pin SODIMM DDR2 SDRAM !!!

I would like help from RAM experts on this forum who can guide me in achieving the above.

I have downloaded some RAM datasheets of the above RAM type.

Let me know if you want me to upload them for your perusal.

I have 2 512MB SODIMMS for practicing the hardware modification.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

thanks,
aiamuzz

 

[MobiusPizza]

Why are you doing this?

Sounds extremely difficult. Not only you have to mod the hardware, I think you also need to modify the SPD, or may be even the memory controllers which are typically build into CPUs now adays. The DRAM specification requires nice number of banks, e.g. 16, 8 channels. Don't know what will happen if you take one out, probably won't recognise the RAM then.

 

[aiamuzz]

thanks for taking the time to look into the request

"Why are you doing this?..."

This is because my laptop has an onboard 512MB memory embedded which can't be disabled. as a result i cannot max out the RAM of 2 GB that my MB chipset supports. So 1.5 GB is the max i can go on my lappy. An additional 512 MB would come really handy as i run virtual machines on my laptop.

"Sounds extremely difficult. Not only you have to mod the hardware,
I think you also need to modify the SPD, or may be even the memory
controllers which are typically build into CPUs now adays. The DRAM
specification requires nice number of banks, e.g. 16, 8 channels. Don't know
what will happen if you take one out, probably won't recognise the RAM
then..."

Exactly !!!
This is the reason i haven't removed the memory banks from my spare 512 MB ram sticks yet. I would really love to get help from someone who understands a RAM architecture well to help me Guide through this modd attempt. Like i said i have 2 sticks of 512 MB RAM to expend for this attempt.

thnx.

 

[Coup27]

I think it's time you got a new laptop.

 

[MobiusPizza]

I concur with Coup you should get a new laptop, with DDR3 RAM so cheap, the norm being 4GB nowadays and 8GB is the sweetspot such laptop is easily acquirable. Even the mid-low range laptops has performance potential and you can upgrade RAM very cost effectively.
Some CPUs like Intel i7 as wella s AMD's even support hardware virtualisation but you need to check.

However, there are 2 points of interest

1. Are you sure the motherboard only supports up to 2GB? Most support up to 3.2 because of 32-bit OS limitation, not 2.
2. If due to some addressing problem, putting in 2.5GB in a system which support 2GB should still work, you just won't see and won't be able to use the extra 512MB. You should try to put in the RAM and see if it works if you haven't done so already.

 

[nanaki333]

the 2GB max is probably a limitation of your actual board. putting in a DIMM larger than 2GB probably will not work. try putting in a 4GB DIMM and see if that pulls the memory up.