Toshiba Satellite ... Pentium 4.. 1.60 GHZ.

[robrich22]

I have a Toshiba Satellite Pentium 4. I would like to upgrade the memory in this beast. Here are the specs for the memory

Memory
• 256MB SDRAM expandable to 512MB
• Expansion memory: SODIMM, PC133 SDRAM, 3.3V
• Data/Address Bus Width; 64-bit/32-bit
• BIOS ROM: 512KB; Flash BIOS ROM; 4Mbit
• Intel 845 Chipset


...

Now my question is.. It says expandable to 512MB... What's going to happen if I put in 2 512MB chips for a total of 1 GB? I find it hard to believe this thing won't take a more then 512MB of memory..

Also it says

Expandability
• 2 Expansion memory slots (1 user slot accessable);

...

So I'm taking a guess I'd have to take apart the whole thing to get to the other slot? Since it says 1 user slot accessable?

Thanks.. Sorry if I sound like a noob.. Don't know too much about laptops.

Thanks

 

[frozenlead]

The memory limit is a result of the chipset - it's not entirely uncommon for notebooks of this era.

Generally memory slots are accessible from a single panel on the bottom of the notebook, held in place by one or two screws.

 

[dwellman]

Yeah the 845 could support a mximum of 512 or 1024 per memory slot (up to 4 GB) depending on chipset revision and type of memory being used (either PC100 / 133 or DDR).

It's possible that the 256 is soldered on board and cannot be removed. It's also common for notebook manufactuers to mis-state maximum ram. It's likely that if that is the case that you could go up to 768 MB (256 + 512). . . I don't know if I ever saw a PC100/133 SODIMM in 1024 that wasn't Registered / ECC. And you should expect to pay around $50 - $70 for one. If the BIOS can't support ECC then you can't use it-- it will trash your system.