Adding memory to Compaq

[lostincyberspac]

Greetings all,

I have a Compaq Presario 5000 (please don't dump on this girl, I really like it).
And as I really like it, I want to add memory to it. I'm pretty handy around a computer and can probably do this myself, but I've read a few horror stories about putting the chips in.

I know absolutely nothing about what memory chips to get or how much they cost, but I do know you need to get them in pairs (right?)

Anyone willing to send out a lifeline??

susie

[Fruss Tray Ted]

It appears to use pc100 memory but there should be a couple letters suffixed to the 5000 like A or US or similar and that is needed to be able to determine the maximum RAM that the pc will handle.

Also download and run Everest (http://www.snapfiles.com/get/everest.html) to see what amount and how many RAM modules are already installed.

[hockey man]

Go to crucial.com and imput your computer. It will then tell you your options when it comes to what type and how much ram will work in your pc.

[PrntRhd]

Per Crucial's site, you can add up to 2 ea 16MB SIMM chips:
16MB — CT279691 Fast Page Mode Non-parity US $28.12 (each)

Fruss Tray Ted's link would let you know how much RAM is already installed, with that PC.

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks guys!!

You are all marvelous! I'll check the site and see what I find out.

Anyone know how difficult it may be to install?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

:confused:

PR,
You might want to try that again, her pc is Pentium 3 or a Celeron of the same era capable and comes preloaded with 128 megs usually. Adding 16 or 32 megs onto that? Why bother? It should be able to handle 256 possibly more.

[lostincyberspac]

Down boys...down!

Let me get the actual model number off the PC (I noticed there were a bazillion different Compaq 5000's at Crucial). Once I do that, I'll post the information!!

You guys are tops!!

[lostincyberspac]

And by the way, can't I just find out the RAM by checking the system configuration?

me again

[hockey man]

you could, but crucial will tell you what type, speeds, and quantity will work for you.

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks hockey man! (sorry about the season)

I'll post the info as soon as I get it.

Thanks again!

[lostincyberspac]

Ok, wise wizards...

I checked it all with Crucial...I have a Compaq Presario 5000 Model 5WV270.

I have 64MB of memory (no blonde jokes please), 3 banks of 1 (???) with a max of 768MB.

They recommend upping me with a 256MB, CT283351 SDRAM PC133 CL=2 non-parity for $73.00. (uh..........)

Help me out...is this a good idea? Can I do better? And if anyone can suggest anywhere or anyone I can contact about installing this myself, please let me know...it sounds like Compaq goes out of their way to make it difficult....sounds like my life (insert joke here..)

Thanks again to all of you who have helped!!!
You guys are fantastic.
Susie

[Paleo Pete]

Down boys...down!

Hehe...don't worry they won't be throwing stools at each other any time soon, they've both been hanging out here for a long time and usually get along pretty well. And all the old timers here know if you make a mistake someone is going to let you know it...They love it when I get one wrong and they get to rub my nose in it... :D

I guess PR input a wrong number, probably looked up Pavillion 5000, which would get similar results, I get this:

# System Type: Desktop Computer
# Maximum memory: 768MB
# Standard memory: 64MB removable

And a short list of PC100 & PC133 RAM, 128MB & 256MB sizes.

That sounds about right, I have a 5000 model sitting here that's no longer Compaq except for the case, but that would be the exact RAM I'd use in it with all the original parts. (Got it used and DOA, rebuilt it.) Same RAM it's using now actually, very similar machine.

168pin DIMM, PC100 or PC133 is what should work in your system, how much to buy depends on how much you want, the motherboard probably maxes out at either 768MB or 1GB, depending on which model board they used. The 5000 series had a bunch of different sub models, everything from 500MHz Celeron CPU to 1.2GHz P-III I think, different motherboards, and 64 to 128MB RAM depending on model, rarely more than 128MB.

If you can find out, it's best to match the same speed that's already in the machine. PC133 usually gets along with PC100 fairly well, but will run at the slower speed which is no problem. PC100 in a PC133 loaded system will either slow the existing RAM down to 100MHz, or make it run really flaky when the system tries to run it at 133MHz, which would be overclocked. So try and find out which is in it now and match that. Probably PC100.

[PrntRhd]

I guess PR input a wrong number, probably looked up Pavillion 5000
No, I input the 5000 Family as no exact model into Crucial's cofig tool and that was the results, no kidding.

Susie,
The cost of this SDRAM is generally higher than it used to be and is often higher than the DDR RAM produced for today's PCs. I find Crucial prices competitive, sometimes a little higher or lower than that available elsewhere, but it is quality RAM and guaranteed to be compatable with your PC.
Now that you know what type of RAM to get, you can research for quantity and price for the selected item.

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks for the info!!!

Although I don't understand it all (laugh), does the memeory I posted sound like a good idea?

Also, still another question....
And please direct me to the right board if I'm in the wrong place....

My g/f's have ICQ chat messenger and asked me to install it. Ok, no problem..I've had it in the past. However when I try to install it now, it only goes for about 50% and I get an error message which says something like system config needed log on as admin. I have never logged in to this computer in 6 years. I don't use an admin log on ever. I simply turn it on and off it goes... any suggestions?

[hockey man]

well you could look on newegg.com for better prices on similar ram. People here sugest crucial and kingston.

[hockey man]

does your pc have an administrator account? What version of windows do you have?

[lostincyberspac]

If it has an admin account, I've never seen it nor have any idea how to get to it. My system uses Windows ME. At work I use XP and I'vee seen it there, but not on my home computer.

Thanks, in advance, hockey man

[i an not a nerd]

Alrighty, If I remember correctly (can someone with WinME help me out here) , right click on My Computer, click on Properties, then somewhere in there is a tab that should have the users...

[hockey man]

I'm not familiar with how to fix this sort of problem, so you should wait for a guru to help you :).

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks guys!! I'll give it a shot!

(love a man that admits when he doesn't know!!!)

Susie

[joea64]

If you're using WinME, you may not get much benefit from loading your system to the maximum amount of installable RAM. WinME is essentially the last version of Win9x, and from my own experience with Win98SE, that OS can't practically handle more than 512MB and even then you would have to do some tweaking in config.sys and other system files to get the OS to handle that much memory properly (caching, etc.) I have 512MB installed in both my Win98SE desktops but unless you're familar with "working under the hood" in tweaking Windows itself you're probably best off upgrading to 128MB or 256MB for your WinME system.

[PrntRhd]

I agree with Joea64 on the 512MB total RAM limit for Windows 98/ME. More than that amount will be unstable.

[lostincyberspac]

Wow..thanks guys!!

Glad you told me that before I went memory crazy on this machine. So if I understand correctly, take it to 256 and be happy, right? That will still be an incredible improvement over 64.

OK, I solved my installation problem and I found out how to install the memory in the maze that is known as Compaq. Last question....someone once told me you had to get mamory in pairs. Is this still true?? At Crucial, they recommend the chip I mentipned previously for around $73. Is that all I need? Just that one thing, install it and off I go? Also, will there be something internal I'll need to do after its installed?

You guys are the best!!

[hockey man]

If your mobo supports dual channal ram then you will want to get pairs--it will work better. If your mobo doesn't support dual channal then you don't need pairs. But if your going for 1/2 gig of ram 2*256 units should work.

Let the others lookover these:
http://www2.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820136009
2 of these should probably be good for you pc. plus they are fairly cheep.

[sea69]

the single stick of 256 RAM is all you need, the price isn't bad and as mentioned above it is quality assured and compatible for your machine. Before you take the case off, be sure after you power down to unplug the power cord from the pc, and then press and hold the power button for a second or two. Also be sure to you do not have a static discharge.... you know from any source like carpetting or whatever. Touch something metal before touching anything inside your box.

;)

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks Sean,

(Wow, even got the Grand Master Geek involved!! I feel special)

You have all been absolutely wonderful!!! Wish me luck and, of course, no static charges!! :)

I'll let all of you know what comes out of all of this!!

[lostincyberspac]

Oops!

sorry...left out the "Exalted" part...

[Fruss Tray Ted]

If you are lucky, the RAM you now have is in just one slot. Adding 256 to it will give you 320 less any used for graphics if onboard graphics are what this mobo has.

I still use a mobo with Win98SE and onboard graphics with two RAM modules, one 128, one 256 for a total of 376 due to what gets used by my video. The pc is plenty fast for what I use it for. You should notice a huge difference with adding 256 megs.

[lostincyberspac]

Thanks for the info Ted!!!

I'm getting more excited by the second!! Thanks again to all of you who pointed me in the right direction...this is really a great forum for dumb blonde computer people like me ( and proud of it, I might add!!). You are all so helpful and, especially, never condescending!!

You don't know how much I appreciate the time you all spent sending me little bits here and there!!

Susie

[lostincyberspac]

Hi all!!

YESSS!!! I received the memory from Crucial very fast and finally got around to installing the chip. It was so simple. I had read where Compaq makes it very difficult to access the internals and I even downloaded 15 pages of instructions in anticipation of a major operation. PHFFFFT! One screw, pull the side panel, it drops off and there everything is. No muss, no fuss. It took me longer to order the chip!!!

My computer buzzes now!!! The change is amazing and there was no problem when I rebooted the computer afterwards...it took care of the changes itself.

My last question or two....Should I ever add any more memory and, if I do, how far should I go? Should I be happy where I am and live a peaceful coexistance??

Absolutely last question....I encountered one small freeze up where it said my ccp was not responding (whatever that is). Ignore it?

You guys are the best...and helped me tremedously!! Big hug to all of you!!
Susie