HP Pavillin a1030n memory upgrade

[Greg8752]

Hello.I have a question about adding more memory to my PC. You may need to do some searching on my particular model to answer this question concerning DUAL CHANNEL MODE memory. I will try to add the link to HP/ support so you can easily go there. This is what my question is: I have two HP Pavillions that use this paricular type of memory>DDR2 PC2-4200, 533MHz, 240 pin DIMM, Unbuffered, non ECC, SDRM:Timings CL=4. I don't know if you needed all that or not but it was in front of so I added it. Last night I purchased another HP Pavillion a1620n and I decided I would add more memory to it but then I saw that both HPs use the type memory so I thought I would add a stick to each PC since the 1G of memory came in 2 x 512 sticks. The a1030n now has 512MB of ram in it (2 x 256) with 2 open slots. The new a1620n has 1G of ram in it and I suppose with 2 open slots, I haven't opened it up yet. Okay can anybody tell me if it's okay to mix the two different densitys ie;256 and 512 and still be okay?Thank you for any help on this.Greg.PS. I tried to add a link to the HP Support page but I'm a rookie in the computer world so you can easily go there at www.HP/support.com and look into upgrading memory for my two model PCs.Thanks.

[david eaton]

According to the Crucial Website, the HP a 1030n can use up to 4 gigs of RAM. See Here. This is the place to get memory, as they offer a liftime warranty, and compatibity. Probably cheaper than HP anyway!

[Greg8752]

Thanks David but your reply didn't tell me what I need to know. I am a rookie in the PC world. I know how much RAM my a1030n can take, I just need to know about mixing the two different densitys. As I said I went to HPs' website and checked out upgrading memory for my model and scrolled down to the part about DUAL CHANNEL and this is where I get lost.What I need to know is can I add in 1 stick of 512MB of the correct type to the existing 2 sticks of 256MB? There are 4 slots, 2 pairs of 2 with 1 stick of 256MB in each side. I think the two seperate pairs are called channels. Okay can I just add a new stick of 512 along side of one of the sticks alredy there or maybe move the two sticks that are there together in one pair of slots which would equal 512 and then put the new stick of 512 alone in the one of the two empty slots? Doe's it matter? Thanks for any help. Greg.

[pangea33]

You seem to be meandering here, Greg. Your first post in this thread asks about taking one of the 2x512MB ram modules in your new a1620n and exchanging it with one of the 2x256MB ram modules in your a1030n. Later on you ask

can I add in 1 stick of 512MB of the correct type to the existing 2 sticks of 256MB?

, which would then leave your a1630n with a measly 512MB of ram, and your a1030n with 1024MB.

All this time you ask whether you can mix a single stick of 512 DDR with a single stick of 256 DDR with no ill effects. I think you know full well that you can't obtain the maximum performance from dual channel memory when using mismatched ram on your motherboard.

Throughout all of this you still don't give any attention to the fact that your a1030n is allegedly still on hiatus from a recent electrical diasaster. http://pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=51401

While I was away for the weekend a limb off of the neighbors tree fell and brought down one of the 12,000 volt lines and on it's way down it connected with my service line sending a huge jolt into my place. So much for surge protectors. I learned that these kind that I had are only good for up to 330 volts. Okay now on to my computer question. First off I have a HP Pavillion a1030n Desktop PC. I contacted HP support and the first guy I spoke to said my power supply was bad and he offered to sell me one, I said that I would think about it and call back. When I called back the next guy tells me my motherboard is bad also. I went ahead and bought a new power supply and installed it but it would not boot. Took side off and the only thing running is the the little processor fan.

I'd try to describe my point of view further but you're undoubtedly familiar with the 'No Free Lunch' theorem, so I shan't go into too much elaboration. Methinks you're not such a rookie afterall.

http://conference.iproms.org/the_bee...ation_problems
http://www.google.com/search?num=20&...es&btnG=Search

[Greg8752]

No I know nothing about NO FREE LUNCH. Please be so kind as to let me know.I am sorry about confusing you. GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rond36]

Installing a 512MB and 2 256MB DIMMs will break duel-channel!

For 1GB total RAM in duel-channel you need 2 X 512MB or 4 X 256MB DIMMs.

[Greg8752]

Thank you very much Rond56. That was a straight and simple answer unlike somebody else above who's got nothing better to do than give the less knowegible a bad time for not being up to his IQ. Thank you.

[pangea33]

Evidently I spoke too soon, and didn't realize there was a different thread regarding this same subject matter. Suffice it to say that I mistook Greg's identity and was completely in error with my post. I was absolutely not a good example of the great forum that PCGuide is, and I beg your pardon.