Toshiba laptop memory

[roy67ss]

Hi guys,

I have a Toshiba Satellite 2230 laptop that currently has 192meg of ram. It is running w2k and is a pentium 2 500mhz cpu. All of the documentation I have read on the Toshiba site and other info sources that indicates that I am at the limit for ram. The reasons are not given.

Is this likely a bios limitation or was it thought to be the limit due to the ram availability at the time of manufacture?

I would like to increase the memory if possible.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

[PrntRhd]

Crucial site agrees that 192MB is max:
System Info:

* Maximum memory: 192MB
* Standard memory: 64MB non-removable
* Slots: 1 (1 bank of 1)
* Explanation of memory terms
* Module Size: 128MB

That model only has one slot and the maximum amount it will address is 128MB of PC100Hz memory. I would guess it was simply the choice Toshiba made at the time of manufacture.

[saphalline]

That laptop probably uses one of Intel's 440-series chipsets. Those were limited to 256MB of RAM, or two sticks of 128MB. Since the mobo has 64MB of non-removable RAM, I would assume a higher model was made that had 128MB of non-removable RAM. That would give you the full 256MB with an extra stick of RAM. However, you got the lower model, so 64MB of non-removable plus a stick of 128MB = 192MB of RAM. You can't touch the non-removable RAM, so you're stuck!

[roy67ss]

I know there is only 1 expansion slot, but in todays world, couldn't I add a 256 or 512 instead of the 128? Is the bios the limiting factor?

How would I know if it is the 440 chipset? AIDA or Belarc do not give that info.

Is there any other upgrades that I can do to this laptop that will enhance/maximize its performance?

Apparently it is a 550mhz cpu not a 500, if that helps.

[saphalline]

All of the documentation I have read on the Toshiba site and other info sources that indicates that I am at the limit for ram.

If you're at the limit, you're at the limit. I'm afraid there's nothing you can do. The chipset is at fault, not the BIOS. It's not something you can just update and make it all better. The chipset simply will not work with higher density RAM modules.