Question RAM stick not recognized on laptop ?

[avz3]

I have an old Lenovo N500 laptop. it came with 2GB RAM but I wanted to increase that to 4GB by adding another 2GB stick. I've inserted it but unfortunately it's not recognized by the laptop.

The original ram stick is : 40Y8404 and from what I've found it's chip description (from DMS website) is:
2GB, 667MHz, DDR2-667 PC2-5300, 200p SODIMM, 1.8v
The stick that I wanted to install is marked: DDR2-667MHz PC2-5300 1.8V

I would like to have your advice.

 

[Lutfij]

First, make sure you're on the latest BIOS version for your laptop. Second, you should look into finding an identical stick of ram, not just something that might have the same frequency and timings. From what you state+looking up the specs to the laptop;
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd001081-detailed-specifications-lenovo-n500
, the laptop has 2x SO-DIMM slots, why not look for a 2x2GB DDR2-667MHz 1.8v dual channel ram kit off Ebay?

 

[avz3]

First, make sure you're on the latest BIOS version for your laptop. Second, you should look into finding an identical stick of ram, not just something that might have the same frequency and timings. From what you state+looking up the specs to the laptop;
https://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/pd001081-detailed-specifications-lenovo-n500
, the laptop has 2x SO-DIMM slots, why not look for a 2x2GB DDR2-667MHz 1.8v dual channel ram kit off Ebay?

Thanx, I've followed the link provided by you and after looking into it it possible this is the reason: "Note: Only 64-bit operating systems support more than 3GB of system memory (RAM)."

 

[Bob.B]

I have an old Lenovo N500 laptop. it comes with a 2Gb ram. I wanted to increase the memory to 4Gb with a 2Gb ram stick. I've inserted it but unfortunately it's not recognized by the laptop. the original ram stick is : 40Y8404 and from what I've found it's chip description (from DMS website) is: 2GB, 667MHz, DDR2-667 PC2-5300, 200p SODIMM, 1.8v the stick that I wanted to install is marked: DDR2-667MHz PC2-5300 1.8V would like to have your advise.

Remove the orig stick of ram and install the new ram in the slot the orig stick was in.....test.

 

[avz3]

Remove the orig stick of ram and install the new ram in the slot the orig stick was in.....test.

Did so, works fine. seems that a 64bit OS needs to be installed.

 

[Bob.B]

Did so, works fine. seems that a 64bit OS needs to be installed.

Add the orig stick to the 2nd slot....test

 

[avz3]

Add the orig stick to the 2nd slot....test

Already did it but I have to install a win10 64bit version.

 

[Bob.B]

Already did it but I have to install a win10 64bit version.

When you have both sticks installed what does the bios see?

 

[avz3]

When you have both sticks installed what does the bios see?

2048MB

 

[Bob.B]

2048MB

Each stick of ram works in the orig slot.

Using just the new slot test each stick of ram.

 

[kerberos_20]

Already did it but I have to install a win10 64bit version.

64bit OS would increase your memory consumption by quite a bit, 32Bit can still adress around 3.5GB
if bios wont see your ram, OS wont see it either

 

[avz3]

Each stick of ram works in the orig slot.

Using just the new slot test each stick of ram.

Did so, inserted the original stick in the second slot - recognized. removed it and inserted the new stick in the second slot - recognized. odd, isn't it?

 

[Bob.B]

Did so, inserted the original stick in the second slot - recognized. removed it and inserted the new stick in the second slot - recognized. odd, isn't it?

No idea what sort of bios options you have.
Look through the settings for a ram amount limiter.
See if there is a bios update available.
Try a 2 stick kit.