Tech Tips

Please review the following RMA Tech tips for important information on any of the following items listed below. Select the item you purchased to see the recommend solution.

32M-EDO4K, 32M-4K

64M-EDO, 64M

64M-PC66

128M-PC100, 128M-SO100

256M-PC100/32×4, 256M-PC133/32×4

512M-PC100/64×4, 512M-PC133/64×4

256M-AP100, 256M-AP133

256M-SO100, 256M-SO133, 256M-SO100/32×8, 256M-SO133/32×8

256M-SO10016C

128M-R800, 128M-R800E, 256M-R800, 256M-R800E (All Rambus items)

Seventy percent (70%) of all returns are related to these items and can be resolved with the recommended solution found below. If you have a problem with any of these items please request an RMA for exchange/upgrade with the applicable recommended item, please be sure to note any price differences. 

32M-EDO4K, 32M-4K 
TECH TIP: 4K refresh modules will only work in later model Pentium systems, Pentium 166Mhz or later is a good guide. Most common problem is when installed computer reads only half the memory, use/replace with item 32M-EDO or 32M to resolve this.

64M-EDO, 64M
TECH TIP: 64MB 4K refresh modules will only work in later model Pentium class (Pentium 200Mhz+, Pentium Pro) and Pentium II systems using Intel 430TX or later chipsets. SIS, VIA and other chipsets that support 256MB of ram can use this memory also. See our PC chipset guide for details. Your system MUST support at least 256MB of total RAM to be able to use these modules. If your ram capacity is 128MB then you cannot install just two of these to get to 128MB. Intel 430VX systems cannot use this ram. Most common problem is when installed computer reads only half/quarter of the memory, use/replace with item 32M-EDO or 32M to resolve this.

64M-PC66
TECH TIP: 64MB PC66 modules will only work in later model Pentium (Pentium 200Mhz+, Pentium Pro) and Pentium II systems using Intel 430TX or later chipsets. See our PC chipset guide for details. They will NOT work with 430VX chipsets which is what is used in most Pentium 133Mhz ~ 166Mhz systems. Most common problem when installed is computer reads only half/quarter of the memory, use/replace with  very low density item 32M-PC66 or item 64M-EDO-DIMM.

128M-PC100
TECH TIP:  If you have a Pentium II based computer then you should use item 128M-PC100/16, a lower density 16 chip module (uses 8×8 DRAM). If you have a Pentium III Or Celeron 400Mhz or later system ignore this tip.  Some systems require you to have double sided 128MB memory, in that case use item 128M-PC100/16.

128M-SO100
TECH TIP:  If the maximum RAM on your notebook system is 128MB per slot (or 256MB using 2 DIMMs) using PC100 or PC66 SODIMMs then you MUST use item 128M-SO100/8×16, a lower bit density more compatible 8 chip module (uses 8×16 DRAM as opposed to 16×8 DRAM). PC Systems allowing up to 256MB per slot can use this higher density module, item 128M-SO100. Most common problem is system does not boot, errors reported, unreliable memory, use/replace with 128M-SO100/8×16. The current list of known Toshiba Notebooks that require the use of item 128M-SO100/8×16 (Kingston Equivalent KTT-SO100/128) are as follows.

                   Toshiba – Portege 7140 CT-NT                   Toshiba – Portege 7200CT/CTe                   Toshiba – Portege 7220CTe                   Toshiba – Satellite 1555CDS/1550CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 1605CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 1620CDS/1670CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 1625CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 1640CDT/1690CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 1675CDT/1695CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 1710CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 1730CDT/1750CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 1735/1755/1715XCDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 2100CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 2100CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 2105CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 2140XCDS/CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 2180CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 2210XCDS/CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 2230CDS                   Toshiba – Satellite 2250XCDS/CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite 2650XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2670DVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2675DVD/2715XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2710XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2750DVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2755DVD/2775XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2770XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite 2805-S402                   Toshiba – Satellite 2805-S503/S603                   Toshiba – Satellite 1800 654S                   Toshiba – Satellite 1800 HV9/654S/254S                    100/200/400/700/4K1                   Toshiba – Satellite 1805 S203/S253/S273                   Toshiba – Satellite 2800/2805/S401 S201/S301/S202/S302                   Toshiba – Satellite 2805 Series C500                   Toshiba – Satellite 3000/3005 S353/S303/S403/A423                   Toshiba – Satellite 30CDT                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 3000CA                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4220XCDT                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4220XCDT NT                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4260DVD                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4270XDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4280XDVD/4280ZDVD                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4290                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4300 Series                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4320CD/DVD                   Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4600 Series                   Toshiba – Tecra 8100                   Toshiba – Tecra 8200                   Toshiba – Tecra 8200 1.0 GHz                   Toshiba – Tecra 8000 PIII500                 

256M-PC100/32×4, 256M-PC133/32×4
TECH TIP:  These are high density modules made using 32×4 DRAM. Most brand name computers (IBM, Compaq, Dell, HP etc) do NOT support these modules. Intel chipsets do NOT support these modules (440BX, 440ZX, 810, 815 etc). See PC Chipset guide for details. Many motherboard manufacturers do support these modules, see Matherboard Ram Guide for a list of motherboards highlighted in yellow that will support these modules. Most common problem is system sees only 128MB per module, does not boot, errors reported, unreliable memory, use/replace with 256M-PC100, 256M-PC133.

256M-AP100, 256M-AP133
TECH TIP: These are high density 8 chip modules made using either 32×8 or 16×16 type DRAM chips. Typically your computer must support at least 1GB of total ram in 2 slots to be able to use these modules.  if your system does not support 1GB total ram or 512MB per slot then please use a lower density 16 chip module, item 256M-PC100 or 256M-PC133.  Most common problem is system sees only 128MB per module, does not boot, errors reported, unreliable memory, use/replace with 256M-PC100 or 256M-PC133.

256M-SO100, 256M-SO133, 256M-SO100/32×8, 256M-SO133/32×8
TECH TIP: These are high density 8 chip modules made using either 32×8 or 16×16 type DRAM chips. Typically your computer must support at least 1GB of total ram in 2 slots to be able to use these modules.  Exception to this rule is if your system uses the Intel 815E chipset then you can use these modules – max ram on Intel 815E is 512MB but it does support high density ram. If your system does not support 1GB total ram or 512MB per slot then please use a lower density SODIMM, item 256M-SO10016C or 256M-SO13316C.  Most common problem is system sees only 128MB per module, does not boot, errors reported, unreliable memory, use/replace with 256M-SO10016C or 256M-SO13316C.

256M-SO10016C
TECH TIP:  There are certain Toshiba notebooks that cannot use these 16 chip low density 256M-SO10016C modules (Kingston equivalent is KTT-SO100/256) and the alternative is to use the less expensive 8 chip version, item 256M-SO100 (Kingston equivalent part number KTT-SO815/256).  The current list of known notebooks where item 256M-SO100 MUST be used is as follows.

                    Toshiba – Satellite 1800 654S                                     Toshiba – Satellite 1800 HV9/654S/254S                    100/200/400/700/4K1                    Toshiba – Satellite 1805 S203/S253/S273                                       Toshiba – Satellite 2805 Series C500                    Toshiba – Satellite 2805-S402                    Toshiba – Satellite 2805-S503/S603                    Toshiba – Satellite 3000/3005 S353/S303/S403/A423                                       Toshiba – Satellite Pro 3000CA                    Toshiba – Satellite Pro 4600 Series                    Toshiba – Tecra 8200                    Toshiba – Tecra 8200 1.0 GHz                  

512M-PC100/64×4, 512M-PC133/64×4 
TECH TIP:  These are high density modules made using 64×4 DRAM. Most brand name computers (IBM, Compaq, Dell, HP etc) do NOT support these modules. Intel chipsets do NOT support these modules (440BX, 440ZX, 810, 815 etc). See PC Chipset guide for details. Many motherboard manufacturers do support these modules, see Matherboard Ram Guide for a list of motherboards highlighted in yellow that will support these modules. Most common problem is system sees only 128/256MB per module, does not boot, errors reported, unreliable memory, use/replace with 512M-PC100, 512M-PC133. Do not use for Apple Macs

128M-R800, 128M-R800E, 256M-R800, 256M-R800E
TECH TIP: These Rambus modules are made using 256Mbit devices, essential high density chips. Please ensure you are are using the latest updated BIOS, this solves 99% of all Rambus problems. See your system or board manufacturer to get the latest BIOS. Rambus modules also need to be installed in identical pairs or with a CRIMM (continuity RIMM). Reliable operation requires all memory slots be filled with ram or CRIMM. In order to use these higher density modules your system must support at least 512MB of ram per slot (most systems do, Intel 820 and 850 chipsets support up to 2GB so these are fine). Most common problem is system will not boot, ram not recognized.

PC800 Rambus modules are available as -40 and -45. The Intel 820 and 850 chipset support both a 400Mhz and 533Mhz FSB (Front Side Bus). At 533Mhz you are required to use a -40 Rambus module or use PC1066.