Upgraded ram from 2 gb to 4gb - not recognized by BIOS
 

Hi

I don't now if this is the right place to post but i am really gonna get mad. I have ASUS k50ij-sx176l, 320 gb HDD and 2 GB of RAM. http://usa.asus.com/Notebooks/Versat...specifications

I have bought additional 2gb of ramhttp://www.integralmemory.com/produc...memory-modules but there is no way the BIOS or Arch would recognize it. I have tried million times to put ram in and out so this is not the problem. Do i have to upgrade BIOS? But i don't know if any of this BIOS fixes will help http://usa.asus.com/Notebooks/Versat...50IJ/#download

Thank you very much for any help or tip!

If you decide to upgrade the BIOS always do it with the ASUS EZ flash or a DOS boot disk, NEVER from Window$.

Laptop RAM can be a real pain, from my experiences. Somehow the BIOS supports only a few, and if you don't get the right ones, it won't work.

What I do now is, if I need RAM for a laptop or netbook, I go to the store with the laptop and I have them test the RAM to make sure it works. The employees do question me on this, but I explain that I've had major problems finding RAM that actually works, and that it's a real pain to return it to the store sometimes. I mean, they don't want to give me my money back, instead trying to give me store credit, etc. I do eventually get it back, but it's not worth the hassle. Instead, I want to see the RAM work on my laptop, and I tell them that if it works, I'll buy it right away. They usually agree.

Hi, thanks for response.

I think i got the right RAM according to specifications. But i really have problem with BIOS update because i didn't do it for years and i am really confused. I have copied a file (without .ROM extension) from ASUS webpage but EZFLASH in BIOS doesn't recognize it. It only shows three directories and two file.

Leave the .rom extension on it.

I did that but no luck here. What i did:
-i have format USB with FAT16
-i copied a file K50IJAS.218 from ASUS website and i added .rom extension
-i went to BIOS Easy Flash. There were A:, B:, and C: drives. The C: is my USB but there wasn't .rom file, only some directories and files non of them binary.

Try these instructions:
http://vip.asus.com/forum/view.aspx?...e=en-us&page=1

If it still doesn't work, use a DOS boot disk. The UBCD (link in my sig) has freedos on it and you can boot that and use the ASUS BUPDATER utility to update it. There are instructions for that in the above link as well.

I have read it but this wont help me, i suppose, because file i have downloaded for my laptop doesn't have .ROM extension. In your link the guy is talking about files with .ROM extension. I don't have it and that confuses me. You can check the link in my first post. Just choose OS in that link and you will see that you download .ZIP file, but when you extract it it doesn't have .ROM extension.

I guess it doesn't have a .rom extension. Try the DOS boot disk with bupdater and a dos boot disk.

bupdater can be found on the ASUS site in many sections, for example:
http://www.asus.com/Eee/Eee_PC/Eee_PC_1015PN/#download

Hi

I looked at the two links you posted in your original email.
The Asus specifications state:
DDR2 667/800 MHz SDRAM, 2 x SODIMM socket for expansion up to 4GB SDRAM
The memory supplier site lists a range of 2GB modules of varying latency.

Selecting correct/working laptop modules is a real pain in my experience.
I concur with the other poster above, that the best approach is to take
the laptop to the memory supplier and have them install the modules
in front of you (or allow you do do it on the counter in front of them).
(Yep even the professionals do that - lol)

The Asus page does not specify the latency of the modules, etc
A site (at random) www.memoryx.com specifies that the match is:
1x 2GB DDR2-800 K50IJ PC2-6400 200 PIN CL5 Dual Rank non-ECC SODIMM

Would you post the memory module details here (usually found on
a sticker on the module). It could be that you have the correct
speed, but incorrect CAS latency (CLxx), or the physical architecture
of the module itself (the number and configuration of the RAM
ICs) could be a mismatch, or there may be some Asus model memory
timing issues/peculiarities.

One of the real pains with laptop memory, is that you can often
find brand name memory modules of identical specification
tagged for different makes of laptop (ie. the module design
allows for some odd laptop brand specific operational requirement).

You state that the BIOS doesn't recognize the presence of the
additional modules, this in itself indicates a base line hardware
compatibility issue. I think it doubtful that a BIOS update would be
a remedy to the problem. Had the BIOS recognize the presence of the
modules a next step would be to run a memory diagnostic program
to identify the properties of the modules (importantly CAS latency
to ensure that all the memory is compatible).

Have you considered a quick friendly telephone call/email to
ASUS to enquire about any special memory module requirements ?
(I suggest that you would include all the relevant info about
the memory modules that you have tried (manufacturer, part no,
specs).

I sympathize, having spent much time working through piles of
SODIMMs (all allegedly the same spec) trying to find a working
upgrade for various laptops.

Hope that helps

Best of luck - Chris

I will try but now i have decided that i will first try to see if RAM module i bought is good because i don't want to play a lot with BIOS, especcialy now that i have problems with easy flash.

Thank you for such a long and good post.

I have opened computer and on the sticker i couldn't figure it out the latency. The RAM module i bought has CL6 on the sticker. On the official web site of RAM i bought it says that support, so i understand, latency 4/5/6.

I ran lshw program. This might help you - it is my working RAM:
id:
bank:0
description: SODIMM DDR2 Synchronous 667 MHz (1.5 ns)
product: N/A
vendor: N/A
physical id:
0
serial: N/A
slot: SODIMM0
size: 2GiB
width: 64 bits
clock: 667MHz (1.5ns)

Hi :)

I suggest that you:
1) download a copy of Memtest86
(Google to find a reputable site to download a copy),
this is a memory diagnostic program,
burn a copy to CD
2) restart your machine with the Memtest86 CD in the
CD/DVD drive
3) look for the option in the program that evaluates
and diagnoses the memory architecture.
That will identify the CLxx (latency) of the internal
RAM.

The latency of the internal and external (new) RAM
must match.

If they do match, then the issue must be with the
design/operation of the upgrade(new) memory modules
- in that case you will be out of luck.

Insert your upgrade RAM module and repeat steps 1-3
above to see if Memtest86 can recognize the presence
of the modules (highly unlikely if the BIOS cannot
recognize their presence)

Apart from that (and this is a long shot in the dark)
ensure that when you insert the modules that the
edge contacts are bright and clean (do NOT rub any
fabric across them!!! - that could be destructive),
and that the module is making snug and correct
contact in it's socket when installed.

I'm sorry to say, there is not much more I can think
of to suggest. If you have ruled out that the modules
are ok, the machine is ok, the memory speed is
compatible (check) and right voltage (check), that
the latencies match(*1), and the architecture of the module
matches the machine's physical,timing,and signalling
requirements then it it pretty much game over.
Time to look for alternative memory modules.

Note: (*1) "In theory" in most implementations you can
mix memory modules of differing latencies
(within reason/limits). If the modules mismatch
then the memory access should default to the access
speed allowed by the lowest latency module.
As I said "in theory". In "practice" some machines
are particular that the latency of all modules
match and that the latency is of a specific value.
(some old HP laptops with DDR were a specific
example of this - accepting only one type of
module full stop - argh :( )

I downloaded a copy of the user manual - no
useful information about the memory modules there.
Some suppliers on the www are quoting both CL5 and
CL6 spec modules as compatible.

I still think a word to ASUS is the best approach
to determine the exact module requirements before
sourcing any further modules.

Best of luck

C.

PS.

I had a look at the latest offered BIOS update.
No mention in the revision history of any changes
to memory management (didn't expect to find any
though). I strongly recommend that you avoid
updating the BIOS unless: ASUS recommend it as a
critical update, or the update contains a
modification that is essential for your use.
There is always a risk of converting a perfectly
good machine into a useless "brick" should a
BIOS update process fail.

Cheers

C

As long as the laptop has a charged battery and you don't flash the BIOS from Window$, the danger of bricking is very low. It's much more dangerous on Window$ (could crash, while DOS doesn't crash) and on a desktop with no UPS (could have power outage).

@cgtueno
Hi

Thank you for your exhaustive post. I did memtest64 and this is info from it (don't know if all belong to RAM):

Chipset: PM/GM45/47 - FSB: 199 Mhz -Type=DDRII
RAM: 332 Mhz (DDR665)/CAS: 5-5-5-15

Output of "dmedicode --type 17"
Output of lshw:
I didn't find any info on latency.

@H_TeXMeX_H
Thank you very much for your tips. I will try to upgrade BIOS after i will consult to company i bought RAM in case it is corrupted or it is my mistake.

The CAS is the latency. It doesn't matter much tho, because it's the BIOS that doesn't support the new RAM.