installed memory in HP pavilion

[brians2000]

HP Pavilion 061 PW524AA-ABA a1040n
I tried to install a 2gb memory stick in my computer and at first I could tell no difference. My cpu had two 512 sticks in it for a total of 1gb so I bought one 2gb stick. When I plugged it in one of two empty slots I could tell zero difference. I was wondering if I need to have another stick in the other empty slot to get the upgrade. I then decided to remove one 512 stick and place the 2gb stick in that slot and my cpu goes much faster now but Belarc advisor nor does my system say I have upgraded anything. As a matter of fact it says I only have 512 of memory now although I can tell it is much faster. How do I get my belarc advisor and system to show the upgrade? thanks, Brian

[Ant]

I think that the total amount of RAM you can install is 2gig (in a configuration of 4 x 512meg), the same as my system.

Even though memory sticks of larger capacity will physically fit in the slots, inserting ram sticks of greater capacity than the system is capable of recognising makes no difference whatsoever, as they aren't recognised.

Take it back to the shop and explain that you need two 512 memory sticks instead.

(BTW, if you did notice a difference in performance when you moved the existing RAM, run a check RAM Check on it just to make sure it's all ok.)

[brians2000]

Hi Ant,
Thanks for your response. I went back to the store today and bought one gb chip. I then tried to put the two gb chip along with the one gb chip while leaving the two 512 chips in the cpu but when I turned it on the screen was scrambled so I removed the two 512 chips and left the one gb chip and the 2 gb chip in it. When I turned it on it was much faster and it then told me I had 3gb in my machine. I figured it would only go up to 3gb so I left the two original 512 chips out. It is like I have a new cpu and it tells me I have 3gb also now. Do you want to buy two 512 chips? Brian