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Just how much RAM will an Acer Aspire 5610 take?

post #1 of 9
4/15/08 at 1:01pm
Thread Starter 
In the specs of my Acer Aspire 5610, it says it will accept up to 4Gb RAM, yet a friend has just told me that it will only recognise up 2Gb of RAM? Is this correct? As I can't see how Acer can say it will take 4Gb of RAM if it will only accept up to 2Gb? Also, I have another slot on the motherboard and the same friend tells me its a mini PCI slot but I don't know what the hell they are? I am geting so confused here listening to people with one person saying one thing and the specs saying something totally different! Also, I have 2Gb of 533 RAM at the moment but I have been told that it will also take PC2 4200? Is this the case please? Can someone please put my mind at ease please amd let me know eaxactly what the hell this laptop is supposed to be ale to do? Thanks in advance. Mike, UK
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post #2 of 9
4/15/08 at 4:35pm
Miky G,
I have a 5610Z here. Last year I tried a 2GB module that I had here at work, and the system would not even boot.
However - I am a BIOS developer for a company that makes tablet and ruggedized computers. I use the NAPA based chipset all the time (That is what the 5610Z is based on). The chipset WILL support 2GB modules (maybe even bigger)!

I believe a BIOS change would allow it to support 2GB. Does anyone have a later BIOS than V3.24 dated:12/15/2006? (I downgraded from that POS VistA to XP pro and dual boot with Linux),
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post #3 of 9
4/15/08 at 5:02pm
Thread Starter 
Hi evil minion. Thank you very much for the advice. However, I know bugger all about BIOS, suffice to say, I did update the BIOS flash to 3.10 (which I think is the latest one)? It certainly made a difference. It's just this RAM thing that getting me down! Does it take up to 4Gb of dual cahannel RAM as Acer stipulate or does it not? Acer specs say yes but other people are telling me it will only recognise 2Gb!So why the hell do Acer say it will take up to 4Gb dual channel? And can I use PC4200 RAM in it as I know some people do? What you were saying about the NAPA based chipset is Japanes to me as I know nowt about BIOS. Sorry about that but I am not that congnisant with laptops as this is my first. So if there is a 3.24 BIOS for this laptop, where the hell do I get it from as the Acer site is next to bloody useless! Load of very old software and utilities that nobody needs or wants or wouldn't use anyway (well the UK one is anyway)! But thanks again for your assistance. And I still cannot figure out what the extra large slot on the mobo is for? It looks for all the world lke a RAM socket but RAM certainly does not fit in it! I even got another 1Gb of RAM for it as I thought (wrongly) thats what it was but obviously, it wouldn't fit? Cheers anyway and anymore advice you may have, please help. Its much appreciated. Mike, UK.
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post #4 of 9
4/15/08 at 5:20pm
Miky,

I think one difference is that I have a US Spec 5610Z and you have a UK spec 5610 (WMLI?). These are not quite the same machine. \
I got my 3.24 BIOS off the ACER Europe site. I don't quite remember, but I think that was the one needed for XP. You may have the Vista one.

I was using PC5300 Modules. I currently have 2 1GB modules installed.

Sorry I couldn't help more.

Evil Minion
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post #5 of 9
4/15/08 at 5:45pm
Thread Starter 
OK no problems and thanks again. Yes, I thought that the specs were different for computers across the pond? Thas a damned silly idea as well! I am running Vista Home Premium. I think I will just leave it at that now but thanks very much again. No doubt it will all sort itself out sooner or later? Sooner rather than later I hope? LOL!
Cheers!
Mike
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post #6 of 9
4/16/08 at 8:16am
Here is what Crucial.com says about your model 5610
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpar...=Aspire%205610

Your model comes with DDR2-PC4200 and will take up to DDR2-5300 speed wise. It also says it will take a max of 2Gs per slot
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post #7 of 9
4/16/08 at 8:36am
Thread Starter 
Thank you very much. That proves my point, contrary to what the guy said who I purchased it from! Will only take up to 2Gb? Bollox! So PC2 4200 is obviously faster than the 2Gb of 533 I have in at the moment then? Or will that all depend on the bus speed etc. Cheers again!
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post #8 of 9
4/16/08 at 9:55am
Miky,

Your system has slots for 2 memory sticks.
According to Crucial each slot can have a 2GB stick.
PC2 5300 is faster than the PC2 4500. However, the system will run at the speed of the slowest memory module if the speeds don't match. The system will only run at the speed of the FSB (front side Bus). However memory timings can be tweeked (see other threads for a program to do this). I run mine a the stock speeds as I use it for Lab development.


DOES Anyone know the exact difference between a 5610Z and the various other 5610's out in the world? My gues is that the motherboard is the same and only add-on peripherals like Camera, WI-FI and Bluetooth are the differences. Can I use one of the BIOSs from another 5610 to get the alleged 4GB ram capability?

Yes, I work on BIOS for Tablet computer using the same chipset. However, I use this machine (my personal machine) for development and building BIOSs in the lab. I don't want to mess it up too bad. However I am willing to take some risk as I can replace it with one of our units if needed.

Evil Minion

-------
I do not speak for my employer.
My work -
BIOS Development
Ruggedized Industrial Tablet


My personal systems-
Emachines 6811 - AMD 64 - 2GB - 120GB - Windows XP
ACER 5610Z - Intel Dual Core - 2GB - 120GB - Windows XP
HammerHead Xtreme - Celeron - 1GB - 80GB - Windows XP
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post #9 of 9
4/16/08 at 10:41am
Just a quick note:

I put a PC2 5300 2GB moudule in my system and it worked! However it will not work if any 1GB module is in. I need to get a 2nd 2gB module and test with two.

Regards
Evil Minion
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