Upgrading RAM for Mini 210

[johnravenhp]

I can't remember where or when i read this article about "HP Mini is limited to 1GB RAM". But i still remember the one paragraph that's said something like "it's caused by the BIOS doesn't support more than 1GB of RAM...etc". Maybe i was wrong about this, well, i'm not sure. But my friend bought a netbook about 3 months ago, i think it was an Acer Aspire One with an Intel 450 CPU. He too had difficulties just like the Mini. His Aspire One just go blank when tried to replace the 1GB wih a new hynix 2GB. Coincidence?

[tintinaso]

Mi mini hp 210 1070 nr camr witha bios f 04 and yve updated to a f11 that was the last version availabele at hp downloads site.Tomorrow i will try a 2 gb memory to see what happens

illtell you

good luck

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@johnravenhp wrote:

I can't remember where or when i read this article about "HP Mini is limited to 1GB RAM". But i still remember the one paragraph that's said something like "it's caused by the BIOS doesn't support more than 1GB of RAM...etc". Maybe i was wrong about this, well, i'm not sure. But my friend bought a netbook about 3 months ago, i think it was an Acer Aspire One with an Intel 450 CPU. He too had difficulties just like the Mini. His Aspire One just go blank when tried to replace the 1GB wih a new hynix 2GB. Coincidence?

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[TomB777]

HP sells this module for $99  Theay are out of their minds  VM444AA  Overseas tech support gave me this nor would I pay $100 Plus tax for a < $50 part. Thnkfully Costco has a thee month return policy.....

[TomB777]

My chat with tech support on this issue......Bottomline is HP does NOT support preconfigured models not purchased on the HP website for any upgraded Memory/ They directed me to this website

for my Costo

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02239697

Here is my chat session

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:35 AM] -- Automatically generated message:
A support specialist will be with you shortly.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:40 AM] --  says: Tom
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Hardware/Hp-Mini-210-1100-1180nr-Memory-Upgrade-DDR3-NOTHING-works-just...

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:45 AM] -- Tom says:
http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Hardware/Upgrading-RAM-for-Mini-210/m-p/212420/highlight/true#M23300

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:46 AM] -- Tom  says:
Is there a solution to this for my machine or do i need to return to costco and try another brand that already has Win loaded with 2GB RAM

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:48 AM] -- Tom  says:
The proper 2 GB RAM modules are available everywhere for less than $50 but it seems they won't work in this HP product..

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:49 AM] -- Automatically generated message:
You are now chatting with support specialist Vijay I. <script type="text/javascript">// // <![CDATA[ try{parent.CaseAssigned();}catch(err){} // </script>

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:49 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Welcome to HP Total Care for HP Notebooks. My name is Vijay I. I will be your Technical support specialist for today, please give me a few moments while I review your problem description details.

NOTE: For security reasons, PLEASE DO NOT send credit card information via chat.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:50 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Hello Tom, thank you for staying online.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:50 AM] -- Vijay I says:
How are you today?

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:54 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Are you with me? Please tell me if you are able to view my messages?

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:56 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Are you with me? Please respond as a delay may cause a disconnection in our chat session.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:56 AM] -- Tom  says:
I am fine however i intended to install my windows Ultimate on this machine and I assumed becasue one can do an upgrade and HP sells this machine with 2GB I could upgrade myself rather than wait weeks for an HP build,,,,,I could return this to Costco and do some more research on netbooks as they only had this and a N400 Acer.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:56 AM] -- Tom  says:
yes I can view your messages

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:56 AM] -- Tom  says:
Thanks

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:57 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Glad to have back in chat.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:59 AM] -- Vijay I says:
Tom, we need to check with the notebook specification, and see for the maximum supported memory for this netbook.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:59 AM] -- Tom  says:
THe notebook is a Mini 210 HP sells them with 2B

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:59 AM] -- Vijay I says:
If in supports any additional memory, I can provide the part information of the supported memory module for your netbook.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:00 PM] -- Tom says:
2GB Ram as an option.....I fear HP will charge TWICE what this ranm would cost from major RAM makers. LOL

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:01 PM] -- Tom says:
HP does supprt 2GB RAM as it is an option when you order a custom build'

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:02 PM] -- Vijay I says:
Tom, please confirm the netbook product number :XA523UA?

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:02 PM] -- Tom  says:
Yes...Most manufactuerers will list brands of RAM that can be used

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:02 PM] -- Tom says:
That is my part number

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:03 PM] -- Vijay I says:
Please check with the netbook specification.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:03 PM] -- Vijay I says:
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c02239697

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:05 PM] --  Tom says:
SO you are saying if I ordered this through HP I could get 2GB but I have to return it to Costco? Becasue THEIR version cannot?

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:06 PM] -- Vijay I says:
Tom, the netbook, which you have ordered from Costco, is not a configured to order.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:07 PM] -- Tom  says:
That is a terrible way to do business......I am sorry HP is making same model computers that cannot be upgraded and some can

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:07 PM] -- Vijay I says:
if the netbook is configured to order, then it can be upgraded accordingly as per the netbook hardware components.

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:08 PM] -- Tom  says:
I can oder any machine from Toshiba Sony or Dell on Best buy and all of them can be upgraded with Crucial or Kingston memory

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:09 PM] -- Tom  says:
Thye do not requir you to purchase direct to upgrad a reconfigured machin

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:11 PM] -- Tom says:
O....I am disappointed HP does business this way. I will be printing this chat and sending it off to COsto Management as well. BUYER BEWARE...ALL other companies allow aftermarket upgrades

[Saturday, September 04, 2010 12:13 PM] -- Vijay I says:
Tom, I understand your concern.

[jegesq]

Tom:

[text removed] They are reading from  a script and the Product Specifications for your 210-1142CL which state that the "Maxium Memory" is only 1GB are also a bunch of BS.

Crucial.com has two specific memory modules that have been tested to work with your specific model.  http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=HP%20Mini%20210-1142CL.    They are cheap and will work. 

You don't need to upgrade the bios.  You don't need to upgrade Windows 7 Starter to another version.   You don't need to run all over looking for ram modules that might or might not work (as I and others have done).

Believe me, I wasted a lot of time and energy before calling Crucial and speaking with one of their tech support guys about the issue of which memory chips will work and which won't.    He assured me that all of the modules recommended by Crucial are specific to each of the various types of Mini 210 models out there, they've been tested specifically and if it doesn't work, they will take it back no quesitons asked.

I have a 210-2072 CL that I bought from Costco, and was tempted to do the same thing you've concluded, i.e., take it back.  Glad I didn't.  I read through all of the threads here, checked other websites, and even had my own ridiculously frustrating conversation with an HP Customer Support rep (who like your's didn't know anything other than how to read from a script and consult the "official" HP specs for my model). 

The bottom line is that I bought a 2GB ram upgrade from Crucial.com's website and had it delivered via FedEx overnight.  It arrived on time, and within 3 minutes I replaced my 1GB original module with the new 2GB and it booted with no problem  None of the black screen issues I had experienced with other modules I had purchased from Frys that should have theoretically worked but didn't.

Simple answer:  Ignore HP's docs, ignore their customer service reps and buy a ram upgrade from Crucial.com for your 210 Mini.   It will work.

[ColdStoneII]

Thanks so much for this.  I bought a 2gb module from HP over the holidays for my 210-1170NR, and of course it wouldn't run.  I called HP Tech Support and got the same story about 1GB max for store bought units.  I returned the module to HP for a refund and just ordered one from Crucial - at 1/3 the cost!!

[cytosine]

I have just updated Bios on my HP mini 210-2054 to latest version (from F.02 to F14) and it didn't help. So it looks like updating the Bios is not a solutions to this problem. But I know for sure the upgrade is possible because the department store where I bought my netbook is doing it for $100. Price that I am not prepared to pay. And I believe that the trick is in the brand of the RAM. When I find out about this I let you know.

[Blackkiwi]

I have a HP Mini 210 - 1060 SD for a year now. Only 1gb memory on board, so I wanted more...

*I took out the standard chip, and it says [ So-dimm / ddr2 / 1gb / 800mhz / pc2-6400 ]

*I've checked the HP site and this model has the info 'standard 1gb memory ddr2, supports up to 2gb ddr2'. 

*I did the Crucial memory check, and the outcome whas that my 1060SD model can upgrade to 2gb 667mhz AND 800mhz.

*I bought a brand new A-Data module: [ So-dimm / ddr2 / 2gb / 667mhz / pc2-5300 / cl5 / non ecc ], that SHOULD be completely compatible.. It fittet perfectly, but gave a black screen at startup. Refitting the old 1gb module resolved this. This 2gb 667mhz A-data just didnt work in my HP Mini210.

*Second try! I bought a brand new Geil module: [ So-dimm / ddr2 / 2gb / 800mhz / pc2-6400 / cl5 / non ecc ]. Again a perfect fit..and again: black screen. 

*Bottom line: I have a slow HP Mini 210 netbook, and 2 brand new "should-be-compatible" 667mhz and 800mhz memory modules that are not working. Going to mail HP Netherlands about this, because I'm pretty fed up with this...

[edit] I didn't get a Crucial ddr2 so-dimm mobule because they are not sold in my country, at least not at the 8 Dutch market leaders in pc gear.

[Blackkiwi]

Quick update:

I have just send a support e-mail to HP Netherlands with the same info as stated above + the question why it's not working. 

I know that HP sells their 'own' (not made by HP, but certified by HP) 2gb so-dimm modules, but for a price of €76.- it's about 2-3x more expensive then other brands - I just wont accept that pricing!

[Blackkiwi]

Quick update 2:

We have a conversation going - me and the HP support.

Their reply (quickly translated by me):

Thank you for contacting the HP support. In your e-mail I read that you want to upgrade your HP 210-1060SD Mini's RAM to 2GB. You have already tried to place two different 2GB modules, but your notebook wont start.

I'm sorry to hear this. I've checked for you, and you will need to buy the following RAM module:

Crucial module: ct1440459 2GB, a DDR3 module. (this has 8 chips instead of 6)

Finally, I want to tell you that there is no lock on the brand of RAM module, but for your notebook the Crucial module is the only one that works correct. All others will give black screens.

My reply to that:

Thanks for your swift reply. I must say that I don't understand your advice to buy DDR3 memory.

My 210 -1060SD netbook works only on DDR2 accourding to your own HP info site (link), the Crucial agrees (link).

The Crucial site also states: "A DDR3 SODIMM will not fit into DDR2 memory socket ", because it's different in fitting. The two RAM modules I bought, were perfect fits - so this rules out the fitting of DDR3.

Your mail did get me thinking about the number of chips on the RAM module:

*The original AND the DDR2 Crucial module both have 8 chips.

*The two modules I bought, both have 16 chips.

Could this be the problem? Kind regards.