Hi:
Got my Sony VGCVA10G the other day. This is my second all-in-one multimedia VAIO. I like them. The screen could have been narrowed a bit by putting the speakers below, but that's about the only cosmetic issue I have with it.
The machine sells with 2x512mb RAM modules in the two available slots. I told the salesman I wanted to upgrade it to 2gb and would buy the computer only if the RAM were upgradeable. He insisted they tested it a lot and it's upgradeable. The manual gives instructions for upgrading the RAM. However, when I tried the 2x1gb modules I got from Memory Solutions in it, they don't work together. They work separately in either slot. They each work with one of the original 512mb modules in either slot. The 2gb are recognized and report by the BIOS. But Windows refuses to start, even in safe mode, if I have the 2x1gb in the two slots.
I am exchanging the RAM for two more modules. The specs were given correctly to Memory Solutions. In fact, I checked my model of computer with them and bought RAM they and several other webistes said was correct for the model. Sony's info, including their customer service and tech people, was a lot less helpful with the exact RAM to buy. A couple sites, including Memory Soltuions, tells you to double check by giving them your make and model, which I did. It printed up right with the invoice. Can't go wrong. Right? But the 2gb don't work.
So I spoke with Sony sales, who insisted it does work and he was going to contact various people. He was supposed to call me Wednesday. I have left two messages, neither of which has been returned.
I spoke with Sony Tech who said 2gb DOESN'T work, and the two slots can take only 512 modules. I don't understand, since each slot took either 1gb module just fine, and Windows booted just fine with the single gb module. And, as noted above, Windows also booted with either 1gb + either 512mb modules in the two slots. I did change the pagefile to reflect the 1.5gb at the time.
One thing did happen one time. I set the pagefile for the 2gb. Then I shut down and changed to the 2gb. I was able to get into safe mode that one time, but when I checked the pagefile, the system needed to reboot for something, and I never got back into safe mode.
The return modules will arrive in Chicago tomorrow. I hope it will be no more than a week till the replacement modules arrive. If they work, great. If they don't, and nobody can figure out what's wrong, I'll keep one and return the other and live with 1.5gb.
Does this sound like planned obsolescence to max out the media pc at only a gb of RAM? This machine is made for editing TV shows, movies, videos, etc. I already reached an out of memory error trying to copy a Microsoft knowledge base topic to Word last week.
Any suggestions what else to test or what might be limiting this thing would be welcomed and used. I wish the fix were as easy as a BIOS upgrade. No idea why Setup shows the BIOS recognizes the 2gb, but Windows just can't take it. I've upgraded RAM many times before without having to do a thing to Windows to accept it. Including in the last Sony VAIO all-in-one when I upgraded the 2x256 to 2x512. That was a couple years ago when a gb was considered a lot. Seems like the VAIO has progressed backward.
--pat
Got my Sony VGCVA10G the other day. This is my second all-in-one multimedia VAIO. I like them. The screen could have been narrowed a bit by putting the speakers below, but that's about the only cosmetic issue I have with it.
The machine sells with 2x512mb RAM modules in the two available slots. I told the salesman I wanted to upgrade it to 2gb and would buy the computer only if the RAM were upgradeable. He insisted they tested it a lot and it's upgradeable. The manual gives instructions for upgrading the RAM. However, when I tried the 2x1gb modules I got from Memory Solutions in it, they don't work together. They work separately in either slot. They each work with one of the original 512mb modules in either slot. The 2gb are recognized and report by the BIOS. But Windows refuses to start, even in safe mode, if I have the 2x1gb in the two slots.
I am exchanging the RAM for two more modules. The specs were given correctly to Memory Solutions. In fact, I checked my model of computer with them and bought RAM they and several other webistes said was correct for the model. Sony's info, including their customer service and tech people, was a lot less helpful with the exact RAM to buy. A couple sites, including Memory Soltuions, tells you to double check by giving them your make and model, which I did. It printed up right with the invoice. Can't go wrong. Right? But the 2gb don't work.
So I spoke with Sony sales, who insisted it does work and he was going to contact various people. He was supposed to call me Wednesday. I have left two messages, neither of which has been returned.
I spoke with Sony Tech who said 2gb DOESN'T work, and the two slots can take only 512 modules. I don't understand, since each slot took either 1gb module just fine, and Windows booted just fine with the single gb module. And, as noted above, Windows also booted with either 1gb + either 512mb modules in the two slots. I did change the pagefile to reflect the 1.5gb at the time.
One thing did happen one time. I set the pagefile for the 2gb. Then I shut down and changed to the 2gb. I was able to get into safe mode that one time, but when I checked the pagefile, the system needed to reboot for something, and I never got back into safe mode.
The return modules will arrive in Chicago tomorrow. I hope it will be no more than a week till the replacement modules arrive. If they work, great. If they don't, and nobody can figure out what's wrong, I'll keep one and return the other and live with 1.5gb.
Does this sound like planned obsolescence to max out the media pc at only a gb of RAM? This machine is made for editing TV shows, movies, videos, etc. I already reached an out of memory error trying to copy a Microsoft knowledge base topic to Word last week.
Any suggestions what else to test or what might be limiting this thing would be welcomed and used. I wish the fix were as easy as a BIOS upgrade. No idea why Setup shows the BIOS recognizes the 2gb, but Windows just can't take it. I've upgraded RAM many times before without having to do a thing to Windows to accept it. Including in the last Sony VAIO all-in-one when I upgraded the 2x256 to 2x512. That was a couple years ago when a gb was considered a lot. Seems like the VAIO has progressed backward.
--pat