System not detecting slot 1 with 4GB RAM.

Hi,

My laptop came installed with a 4GB RAM in slot2. The other slot has been free. Today I bought another 4GB module with same specifications and after inserting to slot1, it did not get detected.
I swapped the modules, and the new RAM is functioning perfectly. However, the RAM in slot1 is not getting detected.
I have installed CPU-Z, but it too did not detect slot1.
I have also run a memory test, but it did not detect any errors. The BIOS is also showing only 4GB!

What is the solution to this? I need my laptop to have 8GB RAM.

regards,
Rinjo

rinjo said:

Hi,

My laptop came installed with a 4GB RAM in slot2. The other slot has been free. Today I bought another 4GB module with same specifications and after inserting to slot1, it did not get detected.
I swapped the modules, and the new RAM is functioning perfectly. However, the RAM in slot1 is not getting detected.
I have installed CPU-Z, but it too did not detect slot1.
I have also run a memory test, but it did not detect any errors. The BIOS is also showing only 4GB!

What is the solution to this? I need my laptop to have 8GB RAM.

regards,
Rinjo

I have a Notebook with the same problem but it's long out of warranty. The empty slot appears to be dead but fortunately it will run 4GB in the other socket so all is good for now [would have been nice to have 8GB but I have others]. If yours is still in warranty check with the brand.

Check your manufacturer's site for a BIOS update which could make it compatible with 8GB RAM. Beware! Have it in AC power and disable antivirus during the update. If anything interrupts the process, your notebook will not be able to boot again and require professional attention!

A simple thing to do is check if it supports a single 8GB module, so you can give the 4GB module back, pay the difference and get an 8GB one. But first make sure it is compatible, check at manufacturer's support site.

I found the reason why the RAM in the other slot is not getting detected.
In laptop RAM slots the pins on the bottom connector are a little curved so that it can push the RAM to make contact with the pins on the top connector when we press-fit the RAM in its place. The fit is such that the RAM is held in place with all 204 pins in contact.
In my laptop, the pins on the second slot are not having enough curvature on the bottom pins. Hence, when I place the RAM in the slot and press it down, the pins never get connected to the top connector. Moreover the connection is so loose that I can easily slide the RAM out of place even after press-fitting it. So, the RAM is never detected!

Unfortunately my laptop is long out of warranty and nothing will be done by the OEM.
The only way I can now upgrade is to put an 8 GB RAM in the slot which is working fine (easier way) or get the RAM connectors changed.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

-- Rinjo

I don't know if this is possible, but you could try with a very small screwdriver to carefully bend the contact pins outwards, so they are closer to the center and hopefully make better contact when you place a memory module. Careful not to short circuit or break them, though!

rinjo said:

I found the reason why the RAM in the other slot is not getting detected.
In laptop RAM slots the pins on the bottom connector are a little curved so that it can push the RAM to make contact with the pins on the top connector when we press-fit the RAM in its place. The fit is such that the RAM is held in place with all 204 pins in contact.
In my laptop, the pins on the second slot are not having enough curvature on the bottom pins. Hence, when I place the RAM in the slot and press it down, the pins never get connected to the top connector. Moreover the connection is so loose that I can easily slide the RAM out of place even after press-fitting it. So, the RAM is never detected!

Unfortunately my laptop is long out of warranty and nothing will be done by the OEM.
The only way I can now upgrade is to put an 8 GB RAM in the slot which is working fine (easier way) or get the RAM connectors changed.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

-- Rinjo

I can't quite make out the picture in the service manual for the Pavilion G6 2005AX, but I believe that the SODIMMs are retained in the usual manner: metal clips that capture the notches on the ends of the modules. The normal way to mount a SODIMM is to push it into its slot, and then pivot it about the end with the contacts until the clips latch the SODIMM.

(It's significantly different from how a desktop DIMM mounts.)

That doesn't match what you describe. I can't explain the discrepancy.

I'm not sure, but the laptop may not accept 8GB DIMMs.