More than the maximum memory installed - is it a problem?

Hungerdunger

Although I'm far from being a computer expert, a friend asked me if I could look at his HP530 laptop, which he said was extremely sluggish.

One of the first things I did was to go to crucial.com to get their system scanner to analyse the memory. The report reads:

Maximum memory:2048MB
Slots: 2 (2 banks of 1)
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.

It then shows the installed memory as 1 x 512MB and 1 x 2GB, which is obviously slightly more than the maximum.

Before I start messing with the memory, I'd be interested to know whether this could be causing poor performance, or is the "excess" memory just going to be ignored by the system.

Crinkmeister

I don't think the extra 512MB will be doing anything helpful. Try running without it. Best configuration would be 2 equal 1GB sticks. Sluggish performance may not be anything to do with memory though.

NiftyDigits

Does it show that the 2.5GB of RAM is recognised by Windows?

Press the Home/Flying Windows key and whilst holding it down, press the Pause Break key.

Will tell you there.

Which OS? Genuine?

Hungerdunger

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Does it show that the 2.5GB of RAM is recognised by Windows?

Press the Home/Flying Windows key and whilst holding it down, press the Pause Break key.

Will tell you there.

Which OS? Genuine?

Yes, it shows 2.50GB.

It's genuine Vista SP2, Home Basic, 32 bit.

NiftyDigits

Perhaps a backup and Factory Restore is best. If it was your own laptop, I would suggest a clean install without any bloat.

forgotmyname

I think you can install 2 x 2GB sticks. 2GB isnt the maximum overall maximum per RAM module.

Laz123

some folks with a HP530 have topped it up to 4gb ram, because if vista sees it it will use it eventhough HP says maz for that mobo is 2gb.

datostar

Laz123 wrote: »

some folks with a HP530 have topped it up to 4gb ram, because if vista sees it it will use it eventhough HP says maz for that mobo is 2gb.

64 bit Vista will use 4GB but 32 bit will only use 3GB - that's a limitation of 32 bit systems, not the hardware or Vista. The extra 1GB on a 32 bit system won't do any harm.