RAM Memory Upgrade

[Humboldt-2020]

I replaced the ram memory with this 16 ram, but the laptop keeps rebooting. Any suggestion, please?

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, I wouldn't know why that is happening.

I don't know if the HP memory you bought was compatible or not.

It should have been.

[Humboldt-2020]

 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Unfortunately, I don't know why that memory didn't work.

It has the right specs and since a 16 GB memory chip worked in that other model where the person had the Intel Celeron 4020, it should have worked for your notebook's 4120 processor too.

I imagine you will have to return that 16 GB memory chip and install an 8 GB chip instead.

[Humboldt-2020]

Thank you so much for your help.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I'm really sorry that the 16 GB memory chip didn't work in your model which even has a better processor than the other one had where the 16 GB memory chip worked, and the report indicated 16 GB was supported.

I don't recommend updating the BIOS as a solution because sometimes BIOS updates go wrong and make a bad situation worse (like a ruined notebook that can't be fixed).

The Intel processor specs indicate that both processors only support 8 GB of memory but that was disproven.

I am completely stumped as to why the memory didn't work for you.

[Humboldt-2020]

Thank you so much.

 Installed an  8 Giga RAM and the laptop's performance has improved exponentially. Perhaps it was because of the chip that my laptop has, an Intel Celeron.  I was lucky that the store replaced the sold RAM, because where I live they usually don't.  So I was given a rebate for what i had paid for the 12 Giga RAM.  Now, the store is saying that I should replace the mechanical drive that my laptop has with an SDD. I need my laptop to be working tops, because I use it for school. The store says that with an SDD, the laptop will be even better. It will be a significant expense, but regardless of that, do you that it is worth it?

Thank you so very much.

If it is not too much to ask, can you please explain what does items mean? thank you so very much.

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

I'm glad that you were able to return the memory for credit and that the 8 GB chip worked fine.

The report is telling you that you have 8 GB of physical memory (the 8 GB memory chip you installed), only 7.82 is free because that missing fraction goes to support the onboard Intel graphics.

The 2.86 GB available physical memory means that is what you currently have free to run other tasks.

The rest of it is being used by currently running programs, tasks and Windows itself.

Virtual memory is the portion of the hard drive that has been allocated to provide additional memory requirements if the 2.86 GB is not enough to handle the load.

Virtual memory is slower than the physical memory because it can only be as fast as the hard drive is.

I agree with the store 100%.

A 2.5" SATA SSD will provide much better drive performance than the mechanical hard drive is giving you right now.

[Humboldt-2020]

That SDD is what the store mentioned as well.

By the way, I have an original Windows. The store said than for replacing the hard drive, the Windows would have to reinstalled.  They said that I would not lose the license, that the Windows they install is original as well and that the Windows licence for my laptop is stored in the laptop's motherboard, so that no loss of continuity will ocurr when they reinstall the Windows.  They said they would install the Windows 10 and that I can upgrade to Windows 11 through Windows Update, like I did when I upgraded my Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Does that sound right?

This is my current Windows info:

Edition Windows 11 Home Single Language
Version 22H2
Installed on ‎9/‎29/‎2022
OS build 22621.674
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22634.1000.0

With the 8 Giga RAM the laptop is finally working! 😊

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Yes, what you were told is pretty much correct.

You can suggest that they use the HP cloud recovery tool to reinstall W10, unless they plan on cloning the existing drive's contents to the new SSD.

You can try making the W10 recovery drive now and give it to the shop.

That will reinstall W10, the drivers and the software that originally came with your notebook on the new SSD.

Here is an info link for how to use the cloud recovery tool.  You will need a 32 GB USB flash drive for that.

HP Consumer PCs - Using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool in Windows 11 and 10 | HP® Customer Support

Yes, your notebook must have been pretty slow with only 4 GB of memory.

As you can see from the report, you only have 2.86 GB of free memory out of 8 GB, which seems to me that you had zero free memory with only 4 GB of memory installed.