Ram not showing up

[mlaabs]

Hello,

I've been trying to research the answer to my issue, but I am approaching a deadend or just missing something.  I wanted to upgrade my ram to just 8gb.  I was under the impression I only have one bay so I was going to buy 1 stick but after I opened it up I noticed I had 2 bays.  Needless to say, I have checked msconfig, dxdiag all showing I am only using 1 stick of 4gb.  So I flashed the bios and still not showing up.  So I bought 2 more sticks of 4gb and went thru the whole process again.  Still nothing, I am missing a step.  I decided to ask for help as I continue to look for an answer, thanks in advance for your advice.

[erico]

What is the product number of your notebook?

We need to know what specific notebook you have instead of a generic series identification that you have provided.

Look on the bottom in the tiny print to find the ProdID. That is also the product number of your notebook.

Post it here in your thread.

When upgrading the installed memory, if you want it to operate right the first time:

Purchase and install only guaranteed compatible memory modules as pairs from the same manufacturer.

A caveat for upgraders

You can use the originally installed memory module only if it is identical to the one you purchase in all respects. Same brand, same format( 1- sided or 2-sided) same capacity.  

Otherwise, remove the original module and install the guaranteed compatible pair of 4GB modules that you purchased.

From your description, it sounds as if you did not do that.

[mlaabs]

Erico,

Thank you for your reply.  The product id is F4G17UA#ABA.  

Funny I went thru the whole process before I bought the ram.  Here's what I bought.  2-4GB sticks of PNY 1600mhz DDR3.  Those were referred to me by a supervisor of Best Buy, which I think were the correct ones.  I stand corrected again.  I don't necessarily want to blame Geeksquad, but I had them open it up to make sure I they were the correct ones.  They did the same thing as the original set of 2-4GB sticks of Samsung DDR3 that were in there.  I hope I provided enough information this time.  Thank you again.

[erico · Accepted solution]

Hi mlaabs,

You own a Pavilion Touchsmart 15-n013dx notebook.

You said "They did the same thing as the original set of 2-4GB sticks of Samsung DDR3 that were in there. "

If they are not both recognized then, no, they are not doing the same as the original memory modules. The original modules were recognized as 4 GB. You started the thread with a statement that the memory was not  showing up.

If the modules are not recognized, that means they are either not compatible or that there is a failed module. 

I would remove the modules  and put them in their packing to rteturn them the BestBuy as being incompatible.

According to the specifications, the notebook was supposed to have 4GB as delivered.

The memory at the following Crucial.com link list is guaranteed compatible memory that will actually be recognized by the BIOS and the operating system. http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/pavilion-touchsmart-15-n013dx/CT5203901

Many people have been fed inaccurate information by the Geeksquad to make a sale, so you are not alone.

[Ken1943]

I went on line and searched for the memory I wanted for my HP laptop. I found a company that took the laptop info and the memory I received was plug-n-play. I would never go to Geeksquad for ANYTHING. A local computer shop is a better bet.

Sorry do not remember where I purchased my memory.

If there are good Geeksquad shops around, I never heard of it.

[mlaabs]

Hello and thank you again for replying, 

I do not presume I know everything here so I value your advice.  I don't recall ever having this issue until after Windows 10 was downloaded but I don't want to blame that.  

I have had originally 2-4GB sticks of ram of Samsung DDR3.  As I stated the issue is the same with original sticks and without.  So your diagnosis is that I have a bad module and possibly the new ram may have compatibility issues because it is not reading 8GB only 4GB still with this PNY 1600mhz DDR3.  I believe I understand you.

Thank you for your advice.  I will do as you suggested.  And you are correct, Geeksquad does give bad advice some times.  I just wanted to give them a chance.   I hope I won't have the same issue after I purchase and install crucials suggestion.  I am sure I won't.