up vote 2 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

I'm currently trying to upgrade my old Sony VAIO VGN-SZ1HP/B to 2GB of RAM. It already had 1GB of Crucial RAM in one of its slots, and one empty. I checked on Crucial.com and it confirms that each bank can hold 1GB of PC2-5300.

The 1GB stick already installed was this, but Crucial's page recommended this... The two are identical from what I can make out, so I just ordered another one of the former. Unfortunately the machine refuses to even POST with both sticks installed.

enter image description here

If I remove the old RAM from Slot 1 and replace it with the new RAM it runs fine. If I leave Slot 1 empty and put RAM (either stick) in Slot 2, it won't POST.

Basically it seems that Slot 2 just isn't working properly.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve this problem? Or perhaps has some experience with this sort of thing with Sony VAIOs?

link|improve this question
86% accept rate
feedback

4 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Are you on the latest BIOS revision? If you're up-to-date there, it sounds like you have a defective motherboard and should have it replaced.

link|improve this answer
Unfortunately it seems that the machine already has the latest BIOS revision :( – Johnny W Jan 28 '10 at 15:33
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

Are you able to access the BIOS? If so, does it see the added RAM? Is there a BIOS update for this system?

link|improve this answer
Unfortunately I can't even get into the BIOS (the Sony Vaio logo doesn't even appear). Also the BIOS is apparently already at the latest version (R0083N0). – Johnny W Jan 28 '10 at 15:54
OP said it doesn't POST with the RAM in the 2nd slot... – MDMarra Jan 28 '10 at 15:56
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

With most Sony Viao laptops, if you press and hold F2 while it is booting, that will get you into the bios screen, regardless of if the logo appears. From there you can check the settings regarding both of your memory slots.

link|improve this answer
Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already tried pressing and holding F2 (the usual route into the BIOS) and can confirm that I am unable to get into BIOS with RAM installed in slot 2. Sony have just quoted me £790GBP to replace the motherboard(!) :( – Johnny W Jan 28 '10 at 18:38
Wow, that's a rediculous price, but not unexpected from Sony (having owned a Viao myself for a few years). Better off just buying a new laptop if it came to that. – BBlake Jan 29 '10 at 14:13
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

I have this now and am troubleshooting.

  1. Take battery out
  2. Hold laptop upside down and press power button for 10 seconds to remove residual charge and static
  3. Remove both RAM sticks and then replace just one in lower slot
  4. Power up without battery in and screen should work
link|improve this answer
Is it really necessary to hold it upside down? I have done residual discharges without flipping it upside down. – user33291 Apr 5 '10 at 16:44
Unfortunately it is a broken motherboard. That slot, I later learned from a previous owner, has never worked. Thankfully the one slot I was left with was able to support a 2GB stick, so I'm all good. Thanks. – Johnny W Apr 7 '10 at 17:07
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.