Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Major Memory Woes with HP n5450

This is topic Major Memory Woes with HP n5450 in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 04-13-2006, 10:53 AM:

Hi everyone,

I'm stumped on the laptop problem I've been having, maybe one of you can help?

I have an HP n5450 laptop, I know the RAM can be upgraded to 512mb. Currently it has 128mb in there. I bought 2 sticks of PC133 Sdram 256mb. I am running ME, but will upgrade to XP if I can get this to work. When I put both new sticks in and power up, the power light comes on, but no response from the screen. When I put 1 new stick only in, it will start up for about 5 seconds, then restart, over and over. When I have the old stick in the primary slot and a new stick in the secondary slot, it will load up to the ME splash screen and then restart. Also at this time, I noticed in the BIOS that instead of showing 384mb, it shows 383mb. My BIOS is also at the most current version.

When I put the new stick in the primary slot and the old stick in the secondary slot, it will load for 5 seconds then restart. I tried upgrading it to XP, and then put in the old memory in the primary slot and a new stick in the secondary slot and I get the error "0232: Extended RAM failed at startup 1B" and recieve 2 beeps. Putting in only 1 stick of the new memory causes it to load for 5 seconds and restart over and over. Putting in both new sticks causes the power light to come on, but nothing after that.

My computer knowledge is on the extensive level, but with laptops, I'm clueless

I hope I described my problem enough. Please don't hesitate to ask for more info.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 04-13-2006, 11:30 AM:

You probably need PC100 sdram 256MB not pc133. That is probably why you got the extended ram failed error at the start up because there were conflicting memory clock speeds. Your system can only handle the 100mhz not 133mhz.

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 04-13-2006, 11:33 AM:

In the memory spot of the puter, it says pc100/133 so it should be able to handle both.

Posted by Michael Gonzalez (Member # 593) on 04-13-2006, 11:38 AM:

May or may not help but have you tried checking the HP site to see if there is a BIOS update for your brand of laptop?

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 04-13-2006, 12:06 PM:

Does your memory say this on the package. 256MB PC-133 SO DIMM That is what I found through my searches as to be what you need. It also said PC-100 on some of the information. The footprint which is the SO DIMM needs to be the same I would guess. I am not sure if you can run two different memory clock speeds together. I don't think you can and that is probably why you had that one error.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 04-13-2006, 12:39 PM:

..in the BIOS, is there a choice for P100/133 ram usage? Sometimes, laptop memory is proprietary, which means you have to buy and use their RAM, not just anybody's RAM.

Just like my DELL laptop here: I have to use their RAM if I want to do an increase.

I think that HP uses the Phoenix BIOS system.

Richard - check here for some serious info on your laptop.

good luck - Monte

Posted by Stephen Frazza (Member # 2320) on 04-13-2006, 03:04 PM:

If I remember right from some problems I had years ago.
You might have to use HP SDRAM I don't think some of the older HP's
support EDO ram.

Hope that helps.

Posted by Richard Greco (Member # 2032) on 04-17-2006, 12:05 AM:

I appreciate all the input guys. I found otu that the puter takes a specific chip manufactured by HP. Hopefully, I can get a refund on this stuff I already bought.

Thanks again

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 04-17-2006, 02:06 AM:

It's really sinful that all the computer manufactures think they have a better solution for memories' and make one buy THEIR crap!

When will consumers demand standardization? Fuck 'em all!

May God be with you on this Easter Sunday...