Sony Vaio Memory

[kleinwl]

A friend has asked me to buy memory for his Sony Vaio. He has only 256MB running XP Prof. It's a couple of years old and only has a lowly 1.00 GHz Pentium M.

Will any DD2 So-Dimm work? Or does Sony Require propertary stuff?

 

[fbrdphreak]

If he has a 1.0GHz Pentium M (probably Ulta Low Voltage), chances are it does NOT use DDR2. You will likely need DDR1, in SODIMM or micro-SODIMM format. What model Sony?

 

[kleinwl]

I don't remeber the model, that is the issue. I was hoping that I could just buy something generic today, but I guess I'll have to call him and ask.

However, you are right in it being the ultra-slim style Vaio.

Is there any way to guess which it is? DDR or micro-DDR?

BTW: Why would DDR be used in a ULV notebook, isn't DDR2 more energy efficent?

There is also 144 pin So Dimms. Who uses that?

 

[govtcheez75]

if it's ULV Pentium M, then it's most likely an ultraportable sony (T, S, Tx, etc..) and most likely uses pc2100 or pc2700 micro-dimm.

 

[fbrdphreak]

DDR2 technically runs at a lower voltage, but that doesn't really matter. A 1GHz ULV Pentium M used either the 855 or 915 chipsets and opted for the lower cost DDR RAM at the time, I'm very sure of it. Get the model number and you can find the RAM. Pray its not a micro-DIMM or you'll have to shell out big bucks

 

[kleinwl]

I called my friend and he said it was a PCG-6CAT.

However, I can't find that anywhere on the sony website. Is the PCG enough?

Thanks guys!

BTW: this was purchased overseas (Tiwan I think).

 

[fbrdphreak]

I can't find that in some quick searching. Next best step would be to have him download a program called Everest Home Edition. From there he can run a System Report, detailing his system specifications. It will list what chipset and memory he is using.

 

[pkme2]

Be prepared to be perplexed when installing RAM in a Sony Vaio. Open the memory bay lid and checkout the bar over the second slot. You will need the repair manual to see the inner workings of a difficult operation.

 

[kleinwl]

Thanks to everyone for all the help!

PKME,
Is there a "standard" installation manual I can download for the sony Vaio?