Here's the basics:

I had a Dell laptop that had it's mobo crash and burn.

It had two sticks of RAM in it.

I'm getting a new laptop with only 1 gb of RAM in it.

QUESTION:

Is the RAM that I had in my old computer okay to use in the new laptop (assuming that it meets the specs required). Does the fact that the mobo died make the ram junk or can they still be used on a new computer?

Thanks in advance for any help!

potsofclay

Whats the model number of these laptops?

Well I just got this laptop (a Toshiba Satellite T2330 Laptop: I have a very limited budget and I really only need it for basic things like word processing, etc.)

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?sk...d=1196470792281

I found out that the old ram isn't compatible since it's DDR and not DDR2...

SO, should I get this:

A-DATA 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820211187

or this:

G.SKILL 1GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Notebook Memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16820231069

The laptop I bought only has 1GB of ram and has Vista (which needs at least 2GB to run smoother: or so I've heard)...

Which ram should I get from the above?

Thanks for helping!

potsofclay

I just read that the laptop is only expandable to 2GB of memory, so I guess I can only get the 1GB stick, correct?

I know, I know... quick math!

Here is a link to a memory test:

http://www.memtest86.com/

You need to burn that to a CD and boot up with the old memory in the newer laptop. It will run a test on the memory and tell you if it is OK.

DR


PS: Get your memory in matched pairs, like 2GB = 2 x 1GB sticks. If your laptop can support dual channel, it will work faster. If it doesn't, you aren't out any extra.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList....e=2GB+(2+x+1GB)

Well if I get two sticks of 1GB ram then I would be wasting the fact that the laptop comes with 1GB already.

It only has 2 slots total one of which already has 1GB of ram in it. I have 1 open slot, so why should I buy two sticks of ram? Shouldn't I buy only 1 stick?

Laptop makers only guarantee that you'll get (in this case) 1 gB of RAM. It could be a 1gB stick or two 512 mB sticks (and you won't know until you check it). This is dependent on which is cheapest for them to install.

The point is to physically check the new laptop before buying the RAM.

I didn't know that! Thanks for telling me... I'll check before I order.

Thanks again...

Not a problem, it happens every day at work!

Crucial will scan your laptop for you at http://www.crucial.com

They need to install an ActiveX component, but it is safe.

The scan will tell you how many slots are filled and with what. My Acer came with 1GB made up of 2 512MB sticks. The scan should also tell you if Dual Channel is supported. If it is not, you can get any module.

DR