Are Presarios particualry finicky about the memory one adds? I have it on
good authority there will be one of the Wally-World specials from earlier
this week under my Christmas tree (Presario V5305WM).

Looking at Crucial.com, they show a particular 1GB SODIMM
CT612735
DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64

Searching for better prices, Newegg has (at $40 less than the Crucial
price):
CT12864X40B
DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64


My last upgrading experience was with Dell Dimensions, which are known to be
quite touchy - use the recommended Crucial item or it's a crapshoot. Are
Compaqs as touchy?

tia,
Val

It can be a crapshoot only because you don't know exactly what to order
(and that was the case with the Dell as well). No one is using
proprietary memory any longer (or has for years), and it's the chipset,
not the laptop, that determines what you need (inside the computer, the
memory connects to the memory controller which is in the chipset).
Crucial's cross reference is very nice and convenient, but some other
memory makers have such references also. You need the "right" memory
(or, more correctly, "a" right memory), but not necessarily either
Crucial or Compaq (in fact, when you get the Compaq memory, you will
probably find that it's a Hynix, Infineon, Micron, etc. module that you
could have obtained from other sources cheaper had you known what to get).

There's another consideration, possibly, that you are missing: ***IF***
the laptop supports dual channel memory, you want to match the
additional memory module to the existing memory module to allow dual
channel operation. And, also, if the computer already has two modules,
you may need to replace them BOTH to increase the memory size, as there
may be no open memory sockets. This is more complex, since you don't
know what's in there now. If the laptop currently has 512MB of memory,
that could be one 512MB module (and an empty socket where you could add
memory), or it could be two 256's and no empty sockets. In the second
case, you are forced to replace both modules to increase the memory
size. In the former case, you need to "match" the existing memory
module to obtain dual channel operation (doubles the memory system
speed), if the computer/chipset supports dual channel memory. (and the
easiest way to do this may well be to buy two new modules and sell the
currently installed module on E-Bay).

One of the bottom lines here is that there really is no way for you to
do any of this without knowing what memory is currently installed.
Since you [presumably] won't have access to the computer until December
25th, buying memory at this time isn't really a good idea, since you
don't have critically important information about what's currently
installed.


Val wrote:
> Are Presarios particualry finicky about the memory one adds? I have it on
> good authority there will be one of the Wally-World specials from earlier
> this week under my Christmas tree (Presario V5305WM).
>
> Looking at Crucial.com, they show a particular 1GB SODIMM
> CT612735
> DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64
>
> Searching for better prices, Newegg has (at $40 less than the Crucial
> price):
> CT12864X40B
> DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64
>
>
> My last upgrading experience was with Dell Dimensions, which are known to be
> quite touchy - use the recommended Crucial item or it's a crapshoot. Are
> Compaqs as touchy?
>
> tia,
> Val
>
>

Barry,
Thanks for the informative and detailed response. I have no plans to
purchase until I can actually verify if one or two modules are currently
installed (so maybe prices will drop by then? ;) ). As to matching specs,
in the case of the Dells, they really can be problematic using some memory
that meets the "specs" - the Dell help forums are full of cases of people
who bought generic or even the "value" line from brand names, and had to
pull them back out.

As I showed below, at least two different parts from Crucial carry the same
specs, but are listed with different part numbers (should have made that
more clear that both are Crucial items.) I was just looking to see if
similar experiences occur with the Compaqs. Given the lack of any hits in
googling, I think I'll go with the less expensive route. I don't know that
dual channel is an issue with a machine at that low end of the foodchain,
but I'll investigate further.

thanks
Val
"Barry Watzman" <WatzmanNOSPAM@neo.rr.com> wrote in message
news:455340e0$0$13737$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> It can be a crapshoot only because you don't know exactly what to order
> (and that was the case with the Dell as well). No one is using
> proprietary memory any longer (or has for years), and it's the chipset,
> not the laptop, that determines what you need (inside the computer, the
> memory connects to the memory controller which is in the chipset).
> Crucial's cross reference is very nice and convenient, but some other
> memory makers have such references also. You need the "right" memory (or,
> more correctly, "a" right memory), but not necessarily either Crucial or
> Compaq (in fact, when you get the Compaq memory, you will probably find
> that it's a Hynix, Infineon, Micron, etc. module that you could have
> obtained from other sources cheaper had you known what to get).
>
> There's another consideration, possibly, that you are missing: ***IF***
> the laptop supports dual channel memory, you want to match the additional
> memory module to the existing memory module to allow dual channel
> operation. And, also, if the computer already has two modules, you may
> need to replace them BOTH to increase the memory size, as there may be no
> open memory sockets. This is more complex, since you don't know what's in
> there now. If the laptop currently has 512MB of memory, that could be one
> 512MB module (and an empty socket where you could add memory), or it could
> be two 256's and no empty sockets. In the second case, you are forced to
> replace both modules to increase the memory size. In the former case, you
> need to "match" the existing memory module to obtain dual channel
> operation (doubles the memory system speed), if the computer/chipset
> supports dual channel memory. (and the easiest way to do this may well be
> to buy two new modules and sell the currently installed module on E-Bay).
>
> One of the bottom lines here is that there really is no way for you to do
> any of this without knowing what memory is currently installed. Since you
> [presumably] won't have access to the computer until December 25th, buying
> memory at this time isn't really a good idea, since you don't have
> critically important information about what's currently installed.
>
>
> Val wrote:
>> Are Presarios particualry finicky about the memory one adds? I have it
>> on good authority there will be one of the Wally-World specials from
>> earlier this week under my Christmas tree (Presario V5305WM).
>>
>> Looking at Crucial.com, they show a particular 1GB SODIMM
>> CT612735
>> DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64
>>
>> Searching for better prices, Newegg has (at $40 less than the Crucial
>> price):
>> CT12864X40B
>> DDR PC3200 . CL=3 . UNBUFFERED . NON-ECC . DDR400 . 2.5V . 128Meg x 64
>>
>>
>> My last upgrading experience was with Dell Dimensions, which are known to
>> be quite touchy - use the recommended Crucial item or it's a crapshoot.
>> Are Compaqs as touchy?
>>
>> tia,
>> Val

Val,

I happen to also have this same model. I have purchesed it for my mom.
I can confirm for you that there is one memory module in it by default.
the only number I could get off the sticker is SPS 403799-001. It is
not dual channel. I also wonder about the differences between neweggs
memory and crutial site as I dont see a difference. They also have
memory for the retail non walmart version of that laptop
http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...20CB13A5CA7304 it
has the same price as walmarts model. I havent booted it up yet to get
any of the controller model numbers if you need them just ask and I
will try and get them to you asap.

Thought this might help you.

Steve D.
Val wrote:
> Barry,
> Thanks for the informative and detailed response. I have no plans to
> purchase until I can actually verify if one or two modules are currently
> installed (so maybe prices will drop by then? ;) ). As to matching specs,
> in the case of the Dells, they really can be problematic using some memory
> that meets the "specs" - the Dell help forums are full of cases of people
> who bought generic or even the "value" line from brand names, and had to
> pull them back out.
>
> As I showed below, at least two different parts from Crucial carry the same
> specs, but are listed with different part numbers (should have made that
> more clear that both are Crucial items.) I was just looking to see if
> similar experiences occur with the Compaqs. Given the lack of any hits in
> googling, I think I'll go with the less expensive route. I don't know that
> dual channel is an issue with a machine at that low end of the foodchain,
> but I'll investigate further.
>
> thanks
> Val

Message to all,

I have sense talked with a crucial memory support agent here is the
text from the chat

Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent
will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have
been connected to an agent.

Hello, my name is Brian . How may I help you?

Steve Dighans: I was wondering the differnce between a few of the
models of ram on your site

Brian : What can I explain for you?

Steve Dighans: CT12864X40B and CT612735 of ram seem to be the same and
I was wondering if there is any difference between them?

Brian : These are actually the same part.

Brian : When you order by advanced search or by motherboard, you are
shown the "base" part number. When you order online by system
information, you are shown what we refer to as an "external" part
number. If you order by advanced search or motherboard, the base number
is included in the part number in the module. I apologize for any
confusion.

Steve Dighans: ok that is what I thought I just wanted to confirm that
thank you for you time and responce

Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

Sorry for the double message but I thought this would help alot of
people with this problem.

Steve D.
agentsdighans******.com wrote:
> Val,
>
> I happen to also have this same model. I have purchesed it for my mom.
> I can confirm for you that there is one memory module in it by default.
> the only number I could get off the sticker is SPS 403799-001. It is
> not dual channel. I also wonder about the differences between neweggs
> memory and crutial site as I dont see a difference. They also have
> memory for the retail non walmart version of that laptop
> http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...20CB13A5CA7304 it
> has the same price as walmarts model. I havent booted it up yet to get
> any of the controller model numbers if you need them just ask and I
> will try and get them to you asap.
>
> Thought this might help you.
>
> Steve D.
> Val wrote:
> > Barry,
> > Thanks for the informative and detailed response. I have no plans to
> > purchase until I can actually verify if one or two modules are currently
> > installed (so maybe prices will drop by then? ;) ). As to matching specs,
> > in the case of the Dells, they really can be problematic using some memory
> > that meets the "specs" - the Dell help forums are full of cases of people
> > who bought generic or even the "value" line from brand names, and had to
> > pull them back out.
> >
> > As I showed below, at least two different parts from Crucial carry the same
> > specs, but are listed with different part numbers (should have made that
> > more clear that both are Crucial items.) I was just looking to see if
> > similar experiences occur with the Compaqs. Given the lack of any hits in
> > googling, I think I'll go with the less expensive route. I don't know that
> > dual channel is an issue with a machine at that low end of the foodchain,
> > but I'll investigate further.
> >
> > thanks
> > Val

Message to all,

I have sense talked with a crucial memory support agent here is the
text from the chat

Welcome to Crucial Technology's Expert Online. An Expert Online agent
will join you in a moment... Please do not begin typing until you have
been connected to an agent.

Hello, my name is Brian . How may I help you?

Steve Dighans: I was wondering the differnce between a few of the
models of ram on your site

Brian : What can I explain for you?

Steve Dighans: CT12864X40B and CT612735 of ram seem to be the same and
I was wondering if there is any difference between them?

Brian : These are actually the same part.

Brian : When you order by advanced search or by motherboard, you are
shown the "base" part number. When you order online by system
information, you are shown what we refer to as an "external" part
number. If you order by advanced search or motherboard, the base number
is included in the part number in the module. I apologize for any
confusion.

Steve Dighans: ok that is what I thought I just wanted to confirm that
thank you for you time and responce

Your session has ended. You may now close this window.

Sorry for the double message but I thought this would help alot of
people with this problem.

Steve D.
agentsdighans******.com wrote:
> Val,
>
> I happen to also have this same model. I have purchesed it for my mom.
> I can confirm for you that there is one memory module in it by default.
> the only number I could get off the sticker is SPS 403799-001. It is
> not dual channel. I also wonder about the differences between neweggs
> memory and crutial site as I dont see a difference. They also have
> memory for the retail non walmart version of that laptop
> http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...20CB13A5CA7304 it
> has the same price as walmarts model. I havent booted it up yet to get
> any of the controller model numbers if you need them just ask and I
> will try and get them to you asap.
>
> Thought this might help you.
>
> Steve D.
> Val wrote:
> > Barry,
> > Thanks for the informative and detailed response. I have no plans to
> > purchase until I can actually verify if one or two modules are currently
> > installed (so maybe prices will drop by then? ;) ). As to matching specs,
> > in the case of the Dells, they really can be problematic using some memory
> > that meets the "specs" - the Dell help forums are full of cases of people
> > who bought generic or even the "value" line from brand names, and had to
> > pull them back out.
> >
> > As I showed below, at least two different parts from Crucial carry the same
> > specs, but are listed with different part numbers (should have made that
> > more clear that both are Crucial items.) I was just looking to see if
> > similar experiences occur with the Compaqs. Given the lack of any hits in
> > googling, I think I'll go with the less expensive route. I don't know that
> > dual channel is an issue with a machine at that low end of the foodchain,
> > but I'll investigate further.
> >
> > thanks
> > Val

Steve,
Thanks for taking the time to contact Crucial - this is very helpful
information. Now as soon as Mrs. Claus lets me have the laptop......

Val

<agentsdighans******.com> wrote in message
news:1165086217.350168.299840@n67g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> Message to all,
>
> Steve Dighans: CT12864X40B and CT612735 of ram seem to be the same and
> I was wondering if there is any difference between them?
>
> Brian : These are actually the same part.
>
> Brian : When you order by advanced search or by motherboard, you are
> shown the "base" part number. When you order online by system
> information, you are shown what we refer to as an "external" part
> number. If you order by advanced search or motherboard, the base number
> is included in the part number in the module. I apologize for any
> confusion.
>
>