Upgrading Memory

[Woodwood]

->byfchew

It would be really helpful if you could let us know the model number of your computer so that those of us who do do not know the HP catalogue inside out could look stuff up and advise you accurately.  It's always a good idea to take note of all the information on labels on the back of your PC. Do you know how many "Hp envy recline 23" " there are ?

Generally information on how to perform common specific tasks such as replacing/upgrading memory) is included the website and the manuals which can sometimes also be found on the website.  If your PC is similar to this one this webpage (including video) may  be of help to you http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03684067

In my Pavilion the RAM is beneath the battery compartment, if  I remember right, underneath the battery.  I found it difficult to remove everything necessary and the clips that held the the SO-DIMM  modules in place were fragile.  Therefore, do not apply too much force to anything.

Sorry Ican't be of more help

Woodwood

22.October.2013

[byfchew]

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@Woodwood wrote:

->byfchew

It would be really helpful if you could let us know the model number of your computer so that those of us who do do not know the HP catalogue inside out could look stuff up and advise you accurately.  It's always a good idea to take note of all the information on labels on the back of your PC. Do you know how many "Hp envy recline 23" " there are ?

Generally information on how to perform common specific tasks such as replacing/upgrading memory) is included the website and the manuals which can sometimes also be found on the website.  If your PC is similar to this one this webpage (including video) may  be of help to you http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03684067

In my Pavilion the RAM is beneath the battery compartment, if  I remember right, underneath the battery.  I found it difficult to remove everything necessary and the clips that held the the SO-DIMM  modules in place were fragile.  Therefore, do not apply too much force to anything.

Sorry Ican't be of more help

Woodwood

22.October.2013

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Thank you for getting back. This the model :

HP ENVY Recline 23-k039

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03945625

Though the model is not exactly the same as the one in the video I think the instruction is helpful so i will give it a try.

Thanks for your help.

bert

[Lil_Lisa27]

Hi byfchew,

For upgrading the memory in your TouchSmart, I have included the following document 'Adding or Replacing Memory'. This will walk you through the different steps of adding memory to your computer.

Please let me know if this works for you, thank you.

[MWatts9728]

I have a HP pavilion a1742n. It came with 1 GB memory in the form of 2 X 512mb DDR2's (located in dimm slot 1&2). I wanted a upgrade to I did my reasearh or so I thought. I Checked the motherboard, the O.S. and HP.

Motherboard 4 GB+

32 bit windows Vista 4 GB=3.5 GB

HP recommended max = 4GB

So I purchase 4 pieces of identical Samsung X 1 GB DDR2 @5400

+I can install 2 sticks in slot 1 & 3 only. (Windows loads and operates good

+If I install 2 stick in slots 1&2 like the factory did the system won't load and I get a single system beep.

+If i go back to slots 1 & 3 and install a 3rd stick in slot 2 or 4 the computer turns on and loads to the HP logo screen and freezes (the screen scrambbled)

 +If I install a the 4th memory stick in the last open slot THe screen does not load at all and I get a single system beep.

+ I already replaced the purchased RAM once. Originally I purchase 2X 2 GB kits @ 5400 manufactured by Mounster memory or sum such thing.

attempted solutions: Found a update for my BIOS

Inspected The BIOS setup, main screen to see if it reconized the ram in slots 1 & 2 and it does. but with a 3rd stick in the system I cant get in to check.

Any recommendations?

Thank you,

Mathew Watts

[Woodwood]

-> Matthew Watts

Hi Matthew, and welcome to the HP forum.

Here's my tuppenyworth.  You've probably checked most of the following, but just in case you haven't -

What does "@5400" mean ?  is it the equivalent of PC-5300 (DDR2-667) or does it refer to data transfer rate 533MT/s (DDR2-533 = PC4200) ? (some manufacturers use 5400 in place of 5300 etc).  You must have discovered that your system doesn't support 2GB DIMMs, irrespective of the manufacturer.

How do the nominal specifications of the original DIMMs compare with the 1GB Samsung ones ?

What happens when you try one DIMM in each of the four slots (maybe one of the original 512MB ones ?) ? (to check for the possibilty of defective slot, though unlikely)

Have your tried each DIMM in the same slot (one at a time, in a known to be working config) [to test the individual DIMMs] ?

Are your DIMMs guaranteed by the supplier to work in your model of PC ?  The HP website has different specs for the m/b ("Supports PC 4200 (533 MHz) and PC2 5300 (667 MHz) DDR2 DIMMs") and for the PC (supports only "PC2-4200 MB/sec").  Further, DIMMs by some manufacturers may not work properly in your particular machine because of slight timing or voltage differences (apparently).

Are the DIMMs that you possess designed for quad channel architecture (if such a thing exists) ?  DIMMs disigned for dual channel architecture are sold specifically as "matched pairs", not as matched foursomes (though this may be possible....)

As you may know beeps usually indicate memory errors.  I assume you have checked that the DIMMs were properly inserted. On many computers the number and length of beeps enable one to narrow down the problem, but I can find no indication of beep codes on the HP web documention for this model.

From http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c00873755.pdf -

"NOTE:

If a blank screen is displayed after replacing or

adding a memory module, the memory is installed

incorrectly or it is the wrong type of memory. Remove

and reinstall the memory module."

The final possibility is that some of you new RAM is defective.  If this is the case, or if the supplier guarantees that this memory will work in an a1742n model, return to your supplier. 

I note that in this model the DIMMs are labelled 1-4 as is usual, and it is usual to put the pairs in slots 1&3 and 2&4 the slots are often colour coded for pairings and these colours on this model match up with slots 1&2 and 3&4  The colour codings would seem to indicate the matched slots because of the original fdactory configuration.  Despite this, it had been my impression that the system would work with any memory configuration, but that you would only get the benefit of dual channel performance if the DIMMs were set up as pairs.

Woodwood

26.October.2013

[MWatts9728]

Im sorry about that i  PC-5300 (667 MHz). I purchased the ram in two matched packages sets as 2 GB kits. I don't Know yet if the manufacturer gaurenenty its installation. I had Frys look it up. But ill check it out. And perhaps two gig sticks are an option too. I get back to you with an update soon.

[MWatts9728]

Okay here is the thing I looked more closly at the numbers on the RAM. 3 pieces are label 0117. And 1 is labeled 0122 so apparently one of these 2 GB kits have been tampered with yes?

I tried what you said I tried each stick individually and proved they are all functional.

Then I tried 1 stick known to be functional in each slot and I have never been able to get a stick operating in slots 2 & 4

And I verified the speed Via the CMOS setup screen (1024 MB DDR2 PC2 5300 )

Thinking I had only three matching sticks of RAM I tried running just them in slots 1,2 &3 Just for shits and giggles But it went back to a scrammbled screen.

Incidentally the suspected unmatched stick do operate together in slots 1& 3 just fine

So I'd like to correct what I said earlier the original RAM came installed in slots 1&3 

[byfchew]

thanks Lisa...i managed to figure out how to open the panel at the back..it's at the bottom of the panel and one has to slide the 'latch at both corners of the panel to unlatch the bottom part of the panel. Once open it was easy to identify the RAM and replace the stick I wanted changed.

The Recline is a great All in One...very nice IPS display and generally fast with the Haswell processor and nvidia card. I do mostly photo and video editing.

Bert

[byfchew]

There's no Accept as Solution button on that post.

[Woodwood]

->MWatts

Hi Matthew,

I do not know what the differing numbers mean; they may still be part of matched pair, but it is worth asking your supplier about if you are going to contact them anyway.  As I said, I don't think thay have to necessarily be part of a matched pair to function in your machine - if they are not, you will lose the supposed speed advantage in having a matched pair of DIMMs.

As to the the labelling conventions, please see the footnote to the table in the 'Chips and Modules' section in this article

2GB DIMMs are not recommended for your model of computer/mobo and I doubt whether they would work (beeping sounds on boot-up ?)

One thing to definitely try (if you haven' alredy) is one of the original 512MB DIMMs (which ought to work without question) in slot 2 and slot 4; if doesn't I can't think of anything other than dead slots/defective m/b, though I am reluctant to say that, it's very unlikely  If you read the HP troubleshooting guide or the memory upgrade guide for this or similar machines on the website (not every PC on the website has  the same documents available), it might offer a few tips such as removal of dust from the slot with a can of compressed air. MAYBE SOMEONE MORE KNOWLEDGABLE IN THIS FORUM HAS SOMETHING MORE CONSTRUCTIVE TO SAY ON THIS PROBLEM ??

and correct any mistakes I may have made.

a minor point - I'm still slightly confused about which slots are the paired ones, it's normally 1&3 and 2&4 but again normally 1&3 would be the same colour, and 2&4 the same colour but a different one to 1&3

Woodwood

27.October.2013