I have a PCV-RS720 Sony Desktop that I am having issues with. I just tried to install two 1GB stick and my computer starts up, goes to the windows startup screen and restarts. Since it has 4 slots I double checked that it can use two 1GB sticks and it can. The ram is the proper PC3200 DDR. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Ram Install Problem
- Thread starter Ramdingy
- Start date
The problem there is a quick answer to provide. The maximum amount of memory you can install is 2gb using four 512s of DDR400 PC3200 memory. The system is still trying to load while the 1gb dimms are not supported by the board there. The specifications can be seen at http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/se...1&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=1000375
The Vaio model originally shipped with a pair of 256mb dimms totally 512. The details seen there show: 512MB PC-3200 400MHz DDR (256MB x 2) (Expandable to 2.0GB)
The expandable to 2gb applies to seeing all dimm slots populated with the largest dimm you can use being four 512s to reach the total 2gb total. The board doesn't support 1gb dimms as typically seen with many older systems and on boards for custom builds as well.
Many saw 3gb as the max once boards came out supporting 1gb dimms were 3 could be used for the max. If you look at the latest boards now seen you now see 8gb and 16gb max capacities since the introuction of 2gb dimms. What happened there for you however is you simply went with dimms too large for use on the older model.
The expandable to 2gb applies to seeing all dimm slots populated with the largest dimm you can use being four 512s to reach the total 2gb total. The board doesn't support 1gb dimms as typically seen with many older systems and on boards for custom builds as well.
Many saw 3gb as the max once boards came out supporting 1gb dimms were 3 could be used for the max. If you look at the latest boards now seen you now see 8gb and 16gb max capacities since the introuction of 2gb dimms. What happened there for you however is you simply went with dimms too large for use on the older model.
On the Sony site it does say, 512mbs of DDR 400, that would kinda make you believe 4- 512mbs to get to its 2gb max.. If you have 4 slots try putting 1gb. in one channel and 1gb in the other. Instead of side by side.
Have you tried with just one 1gb stick to see if windows will boot in normal mode. Is this XP?
The information seen at 3rd party memory upgrade sites is often too general rather then specific when upgrading any particular model out of a line. The reason safe mode is loading is that is a diagnostic mode there seeing only the basic shell loaded along with only a minimum number of processes. The board itself for that model is apparently limited to the 512mb size for normal use.
Last resort, since its a Sony there will not be to many bios options. Look and see if you can clock back your ram from 400 to 333. It should be listed as 400 if so set it to 333 but some will have it at 200, put it at 166. Some older boards if you ran the max amount it would kick it back a speed. Just a try.
That may work provied there's no 512 limit on the dimm slots to start off with. But to fill the slots up you would to now go out and buy 4 new 512 dimms to replace the pair of 1gb you already have.
Know anyone with a newer 939 or P4 board that takes the larger sized dimm? If the max was 3 or 4gb you would be all set with those since a newer board would see the 3 or slots accepting them.
Know anyone with a newer 939 or P4 board that takes the larger sized dimm? If the max was 3 or 4gb you would be all set with those since a newer board would see the 3 or slots accepting them.