Is there a trick to installing memory in a Gateway laptop?

I have been told by 2 memory manufacturers and Best Buy that my Gateway MX3228 laptop takes DDR-2 533 memory or faster. When I read in the sale paper that I could get 1 gig for only $30 I jumped on it. The first memory I tried was PNY (which I never heard of before). It was DDR-2 rated at 400,533,and 667 mhz. It should work right.....NOPE. Ok , maybe it was bad. I returned it to Best Buy and they said I could try the same thing again or get Kingston memory for $5 more. I went with the Kingston memory. I mean Kingston memory should work , right? The Kingston was rated at 533 and 667 mhz. The Kingston doesn't work either. I have heard that the mx3228 computer is upgradeable to 4 gigs, so what is the problem?

I did everything according to Gateway instructions but I feel that I may have missed something small, some simple way to reset the CMOS or something.

My daughter said "Don't you know dad? Gateway isn't upgradeable!" Apparently she heard that Gateway laptops need proprietary hardware upgrades.

Dan

I have always had good luck with OEMPCWorld.com when buying memory. I've done exactly the same as you, and those off-the-shelf brands don't always work out.

Dan,

Crucial http://crucial.com/ is also a trusted supplier for RAM. Been using them for all my computers. What I really like is they can configure what you need by asking the right questions. You need to go into your desktop control panel, choose 'System', then make a note of your system specs. Crucial will ask for that stuff before showing the options. BTW, I just bought a little Gateway LT. Neat, ain't they! Hope you waited for a discounted price before you bought.

Best, Paul

I've heard the same thing. You might need to buy the memory stick from Gateway (or at least Google on 'Gateway DDR-2 Memory upgrade' or similar)

Standard Kingston upgrade popped right into my M-520.

They even have picture guides on most of their models on how to do it yourself (did with mine...)

Here's what Gateway itself says works in yours:

Gateway PC2700 DDR 333MHZ DIMM

http://www.gateway.com/accessories/category/316624.php?seg=hm

Crucial.com has a gig for $26 - even less than what you paid....

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=MX3228

Not true, I have several Gateway laptops at work and have upped the RAM in all of them without a hitch.

Since laptops are easy to carry, I just take the machine into the computer store and let them pop in the new memory. That way, I know right then and there if it's gonna work.

PNY memory (aka Best Buy) has never worked for me. Best to get the memory from crucial.com (as another poster has indicated) or go to a reputable computer store.

I like www.altex.com but you may not have one of those.

Terry D.

Are you adding RAM or completely replacing it? If you're adding an additional chip, it's best for it to be identical in speed (and preferrably in capacity) to the existing RAM.

When you boot up your system, can you F2 or F8 into your CMOS setup and see if there's a conflict or a query to update RAM?

I must completely replace the memory in my laptop because there is only ONE slot.

Dan

wow... thats old. sure its not DDR and not DDR2?

Would DDR look the same and fit as nicely in my memory slot??

Dan

you probably need DDR memory... DDR2 is supposed to work in pairs. there are three things with memory. clock, timiing and voltage. you need to get all things right.

1) 1.8v ..............RIGHT !

2) 533 OR 667 MHZ ...MINE IS 533........ RIGHT !

3) What is the difference between clock and timing? Are you talking buss speed combined with a multiplier?

I'm beginning to wonder if the memory isn't fitting in properly, because I don't get any alarms or beeps.

Dan