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Technical Help & Discussion => Self Building, Upgrading & General Hardware Help => Topic started by: DJ on July 23, 2003, 15:51

Title: Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: DJ on July 23, 2003, 15:51

Hi All,

I have a sony vaio FX401 laptop and recently bought 2x 256mb sodimm pc100 from www.hunborn.com. It was cheaper to get it shipped from the US than to get from my local store.

But when I install the memory into the laptop it halts at boot (with the sony logo). For those who haven't seen a sony this is the point where you can press F2 and get into the setup screen.

If i try and press f2 to get to setup the error reads "UMB upper limit segment address E69C"

I have tried swapping memory slots etc, and mix and match with the old 128MB stick - but nothing works.

Does anyone know how to get the memory to be recognised?? or is a case of fault memory?  ::)

Thanks all  ;)

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: Adept on July 23, 2003, 18:23

Sounds like the memory isn't the correct type for the Sony or it is faulty :(

According to Kingston (http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configurator/modelsinfo.asp?SysID=+11354+&distributor=0&submit1=Search) you should be able to replace your existing memory with any combination of 128 and 256MB modules up to 512MB.

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: lobo on July 23, 2003, 22:30

@DJ1UK
Does it boot with the original memory in it? If so then it looks as if the memory is not suitable or faulty. If not then you have bigger problems.

Brian ;D

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: DJ on July 23, 2003, 22:36

Hi again all,

I emailed the guy who sold it to me and this is the reply...

Your laptop requires 3.3V not the 3.0V

:doh:

So I need to sell the memory I've got(ebay here I come  :P ) and source some 3.3v memory.

Never Mind  ::)

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: lobo on July 23, 2003, 22:47

@DJ1UK
I noticed that the memory on the site was 3v but was not certain what the Sony takes

Well remind me to check before I buy new memory ;D ;D

Brian :welldone:

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: DJ on July 23, 2003, 22:54

Is THIS TYPE (http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?NBM-152%2f25) suitable then?

I notice that the 133mhz memory is a lot cheaper than the 100mhz memory. Is there any way I can use this type?

:thanks: all

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: lobo on July 23, 2003, 23:39

@DJ1UK
In theory any memory with a higher clock speed can be used it just defaults to the speed of the PC, my advise is to buy correct memory if its a few pounds dearer then at least you know its going to work

Brian ;D

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: DJ on July 24, 2003, 17:07

Looking at the kingston website it states:

Quote

PC133 modules MAY NOT BE BACKWARD COMPATIBLE to PC100 machines
Systems using the 440BX, 810 or 810e chipsets should only use PC100 memory

According to vaio-link (http://www.vaio-link.com) I have a VIA Apollo KT133A chipset.

Is this compatible then  ??? or is it safer to stick to PC100 ???

EDIT: Just found this (http://www.via.com.tw/en/apollo/KT133A.jsp) - it says it supports PC100/133 but SDRAM not SODIMM - is that OK ?
:thanks:

DJ1UK

Title: Re:Sony Vaio Laptop Memory Upgrade
Post by: lobo on July 24, 2003, 17:39

@DJ1UK
All the info I have says SDRAM

Quote

Easy access to 256MB SDRAM (free slot for memory upgrade, max 512MB)

Check out the specifcations of your Laptop and see what it says, download this program from my store and run, it should list all the information on your computer with links to sites

https://www.trustclip.com/CJGQ1CCI5UHE7e5MU4SKPH88PKV (https://www.trustclip.com/CJGQ1CCI5UHE7e5MU4SKPH88PKV)

Brian ;D