Will higher capacity memory modules damage my laptop?

Question

When i baught my A100-OFH core duo laptop from Bestbuy, it said the maximum memory i can upgrade is to 2GB DDR2.

1.5 years has passed and larger memory modules has been released, i found my laptop model number on the internet in PDF form, i checked all the specs and they are all exactly the same as mine, except for one thing. It said the maximum memory allowed is 4GB?

My laptop is called a Toshiba Satellite A100-OFH and my model number is PSAA8C-OFH003.

Since my laptop supports dual-channel, i am planning to buy 2x2GB of DDR2 ram. If my laptop was to only hold maximum 2GB, and i add in 4GB, will my laptop take any damage? Even if it's minimal.

Also, i am unsure of what speed my laptop can take, it never really said it when i first baught my laptop from Bestbuy.

The current ram modules in my laptop right now are 2x512 DDR2 533MHz PC2-4300(266MHz) on dual-channel. I believe SO-DIMM laptop memory is backwards compatible as well? Correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks in advance! :)

Answer 1

I think the Satellite A100 can actually take 2 GiB modules for a maximum of 4 GiB.

Don't worry too much about the speed of the modules, any 2 GiB modules you buy will probably be 667 MHz which should be fine (laptops nowadays aren't as finicky about memory speeds as they used to be) and assuming you can fit DDR2 modules in the worst that is likely to happen is your computer not booting up.

Answer 2

The reason it said maximum 2 gb when you bought it and now you saw 4 gb is probably due to a BIOS update, which adds more features to computers. You can go to Toshiba's site and under downloads look for BIOS update. You will end up burning a bootable CD which will let you "patch" or update your computer. WARNING: abide by all instructions and do NOT turn off or disconnect computer during the process.

Now for your second question, your new memory will automatically be down-tuned to your maximum supported speed. So you will be running at 400 Mhz instead of 533. BUT: if you have DDR memory it would not be compatible with DDR2. Sounds like you do, since you said SO-DIMM. So go for the same type of memory instead.

Hope that helps you.

Answer 3

Well, the largest Memory modules I've seen offered for sale for laptops were a pair of 8gb DDR 3 SIMMS... so from that I must presume that somewhere out there is a laptop computer that takes 16gb of DDR3 memory. AD

Answer 4

Go here:

http://crucial.com/

They can scan your system and tell you exactly what you need.

Note: With DDR2, even if you buy a module that is faster than your computer can handle, it is backwards compatible and will only work at the fastest speed your pc can work at. As for using 2g sticks, I don't think it will work. Just buy 2x1g sticks.

Anways, go to the site and scan and see.

Answer 5

Will it damage your laptop, no, will it work no, if your laptop only supports 2 then if you install 4 only 2 will show up so technically you would be wasting a sizable amount of money. What was in your box or manual IS what your computer is limited to, don't bother wasting your money trying to prove it wrong, a lot of stores do not return ram for cash refunds.