Can't find RAM upgrade for my Acer netbook D255-N55DQkk

SaberX on 16/10/2014 - 00:49

Guys - been desperately trying to upgrade this 1gb RAM "Beast" so that more than 3 firfox tabs don't take an eternity to load, even opening word takes ages. I assume this isn't atom processor related, but a ram issue (1 gb) that cuases slowness in response/processing?

I was hoping to upgrade this to 2gb to make it not collect dust e.g. i could at least take it on upcoming holidays as a cheap , easy to carry alternative to use the internet while back at lodging at night, or on train to work etc when required.

I tried once to upgrade this, hit up in WA Perth austin computers and PLE, both times I failed with their 2 gb ram sticks. I installed speccy and consulted the internet and it seems this takes DDR3 SDram - 204 pin. Seems like its 8500, 1066 mhz, but have heard it can be 1366 mhz and still downgrade itself and work… some unconfirmed sources say some versions use ddr 2 ram, which confuses me more.

Regardless, I tried i think it was transcend or crucial from PLE (forgot which), nothing , then tried austin computer's kingston ram. Both times I press the power button on and nothing would turn on, not even an error msg on screen. Just pure blank. I can't even remember now if the computer powered on but I assume so (since ram shouldn't physically affect power on).

GIven an upcoming pending america trip I'dr eally love to turn this junk into working art. Is there nothing left I can feasibly do? I just don't want to spent $50,60 for ordering from america ram I don't know will work. Can anyone locate or fish any unusued or unloved ddr 3 SD ram out, 204 pin?

If speccy says im also on the ddr 3, 204 pin SD ram 8500, surely it's right?

Just running out of ideas to get this to work. It still is (despite being small) usable, if it was just abit faster?!

I don't think you can get 10" netbooks like they used to when they first came out (as good battery life, lightweight etc) whilst still getting 2 or 3 gb ram at least? Or can you now adays?

Any help or tips would be great!

Computing

Comments

  • HAL on 16/10/2014 - 01:57

    Generally SSD upgrades will give you more of a performance gain than a RAM upgrade, however seeing as this is an Atom processor would that be the bottleneck?

    Why don't you clean the computer from a software side first and see if that makes a difference? (Re-format)

    Netbooks were killed by the Ultrabooks, though a Chromebook might be the closest alternative now.

    From this video:

    The RAM I used in this video to upgrade my NETBOOK is as follows:
    Mushkin Essentials 2GB DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300 CL4 SODIMM
    Kingston ValueRAM 2GB 667MHz DDR2 Non-ECC CL5 SODIMM (KVR667D2S5/2G)

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:22

      Really? I thought SSD upgrades for loading windows initially, but for as you go performance the slow part of loading mozilla tabs, word documents etc are ram based (rather than CPU or HDD).

      Also, it's not as viable putting in a SSD anyway, given I've always used normal hdd's and haven' thad slow issues prior to the netbook, but also for a cost basis wise.

      It cost about $350 for the netbook back in 2011 when netbooks (intel atom n550's processors were out, if anyone recalls that far) as it was on an ozbargain sighted speical I think.. probably therefore a $500-600 valued netbook then. THerefore i didnt want to waste it by just upgrading a new laptop or a new SSD, i'd rather a cheap memory fix , guess I feel like I didn't use it enough.

      Ultrabooks? I thought ultrabooks existed before netbook and were always in a category of their own (think small sony vaios that cost $2k). I always thought ultrabooks were small, portable and high battery life with equivalent power and price tag. Whereas netbook were on the cheap, affordable sense with bare basics to get you through web broasing, word documents etc. CHromebooks don't appeal to me - my limited understanding is they seem quite limited in terms of the chrome OS and what I can run tbh. not my cup of tea :(

      Thanks for that video. I've already used that… and commented on it, as i tried to get the RAM right… haha. also technically my austin computers ram was a kingston…and that didn't go well :(

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:23

      Confusing thing is that quoted ram is DDR2… DDR3 is most reviews quoted RAM type.. speccy gives me DDR3 too, so surely speccy would have my mobo version of the netbook correct right? I.e. DDR3 not DDR2?? Could speccy get it wrong?

      Pretty sur ethe 1 gb samsung already in there though is a DDR 3 model though.. haveto crack it open again.

      • scrimshaw on 19/10/2014 - 11:52

        It's not wrong. Your system should be using
        204-pin SODIMM DDR3 PC3-10600 1333MHz

        I would attempt and try installing the ram again. Maybe you did not install the ram correctly (it has to be pushed all the way in).

        • SaberX on 21/10/2014 - 01:47

          Yeah but speccy gave me 2 free memory slots when physically the netbooks known for only 1?

          I installed back the original so surely after trying two different brands and one in store of a replacement of the first, it would have been pushed in nice and snugly? Unless I'm that bad with installing that I didn't notice it not being pushed in, pretty sure that time in-store when I swapped one around to try another, the guy instore tried it too… although he was abit of a blur guy…

          They've been telling me physically all RAM might fit, and on specs, but the brands just arent compatible? Although beats me how a spec RAM can look like a perfect fit on paper yet for whatever "compatability" reasons that I can't understand the logic behind, don't work with your laptops/mobos at times…?

        • scrimshaw on 21/10/2014 - 07:03

          Speccy gives you two slots visible because the system board was designed for 2 DIMMS to be installed. On the Acer ZG5, there is a 512MB module soldered directly into the motherboard, plus a DIMM slot for replaceable memory. As such, some netbooks did actually support 2 RAM modules (surprise) but because the Atom chipset itself did not support dual channel memory and couldn't address more than 2GB of RAM there was no point in making a netbook with dual DIMM slots. Physically, there will only be 1 DIMM slot.

          Also, there are some key differences, even of RAM of the same type and speed. Latency, density and voltage to be precise.

          Check the RAM voltage and check the latency timings. Does your netbook use 1.5v RAM? Then you replace it with the same type.

          Take the RAM out again and post a photo, we can help you work out what RAM you need to buy.

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 16/10/2014 - 03:40

    IMHO you're over-thinking this. Bite the bullet, do a bit of research on the available (new) options out there within your budget that meet your needs, and buy one.

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:25

      Sorry mate, I just wanted to make use of a $350 netbook (probably original value around $500-600 at the time, got it on an ozb special) for travel. It seemed like a waste just upgrading as now all the 10-11" laptops are less common than netbook craze days, and ideally all I was hoping was a 2gb stick would increase the slow effect felt and make it "usable" for holidays etc. otherwise i have a fully functional i7, 8 gb ram laptop, so I wouldn feel hard stretching shelling out $500 for a new netbook….

      jsut trying to savlage value :(

  • pax on 16/10/2014 - 07:47

    When I lived in the UK, I used this mob to find the unfindable

    http://www.memory-express.co.uk/search.php?q=acer+D255&filter=price%3A[1+TO+*]&sort=sd&results=25&pageid=119

    and with the information from http://www.memory-express.co.uk/modelpart.php?id=2805281, you should be able to find a compatible chip out here to replace your existing RAM.

    Pax

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 04:12

      See this is what confuses me… there are confusion between there being a ddr 2 vs a ddr3 compatible modesl of D255…. the thing is that link you quoted is a ddr2… 667mhz is 8500 isn't it (Corresponding?). I think the DDR3 is quoted as 1066 mhz for the DDR3 model though.

      Speccy on the netbook shows DDR3 though? But 2 slots , one empty (one taken by 1GB). Whereas the netbook definitely only has 1 empty slot, so therefore not sure is speccy actually correct/accurate or not?

  • Shaw on 16/10/2014 - 07:59

    Don't have an answer for the post, but just want to correct this part:

    (since ram shouldn't physically affect power on).

    It does.

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:25

      Please do explain - so incompatible RAM wil cause the power-on button to physicallyl have no reaction??

      And obviously if you see power but a blank screen this is also incompatible RAM?

      • scrimshaw on 19/10/2014 - 11:57

        Depending on the BIOS it could also give you a pattern of beeps to indicate that no Ram is detected.

        It cannot output a video without ram, you cannot access the BIOS and you will not see anything on screen.

        • SaberX on 20/10/2014 - 08:58

          No beeps, but I think from memory I remember it was black and tdidn't turn on> Can't remember if the power lights even came on, but I guess physically these would still come on even if there was no physical screen lighting up, because as you said, without the RAM it wont't output video.

  • mrmarkau67 on 16/10/2014 - 08:53

    The biggest cause of slowness on a windows laptop is windows getting crufty over time.

    Your first point of call is to check the windows version. If XP, get rid of your PC. Using XP today is like sending a unimmunised three year old to daycare.

    If its windows 7, back up your files, download a new copy(free so long as you have your original key) and reinstall.

    If your PC is still too slow after that, get rid of it. Any more time and effort invested would be better placed in getting a new one.

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:28

      It's Windows 7 basic according to the bottom of the netbook. Is it easy to download and reinstall? I think it has the typical serial key pasted to the bottom.

      I have a backup file/partition but again being a netbook, the backup software "didnt' work" per se becuase I had no dvd writer!?! a big fallacy haha, unless you owned a usb powered external dvd writer - which I never got around to sourcing to backup my OS backup partition….

      I don't remember installing many different software onto it during the time I used it though, so surely that wouldn't make it crusy?

      I thought RAM had a bigger effect on slowing down response of the computer when you have a few mozilla tabs open (think 6-8 rather than 1 or 2), opening aprogram like win word etc and trying to hit save as to browse somewhere… or does that come back to more of a combination of OS crustiness, processor power, or the HDD not being a SSD? My assumption was RAM affects this.

      Particularly given I only have 1 GB of it … :S

      • mrmarkau67 on 19/10/2014 - 19:35

        Windows gets crusty over time just from use. And some manufacturers pre-install system-slowing crapware even from new.

        RAM is definitely a factor in PC performance, and increasing the RAM may help.

        But first try reinstalling Windows. Its free.

        Instructions here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/248995/how-to-install-windows…

        • SaberX on 21/10/2014 - 01:49

          Ok will come back here on the weekend to try that. Is there no diagnostic tool or crude measure to gauge if it's OS or memory/hardware beforeI spend that time reinstalling everything?

          Also how do you read the task manager's memory performance tab - if the Total Physical Memory box is 1gb, I find the cached and available are close to each other at around 100-200 something, maybe 250 (memorys hazy) but free can be anywhere from 100 to down to 0 or 6 mb at times (most of the time loading anything).

          I don't know how the "numbers" work together in painting the picture but obviously with free at 0 I figured it was the RAM letting me down performance wise, which is why i've been experiencing that excruciating slowness when loading things.

        • mrmarkau67 on 21/10/2014 - 07:20

          @SaberX:

          No doubt that 1GB of RAM is tight, but it could be being filled by rogue programs too. Was your machine ALWAYS this slow?

          In any case, fresh Windows is always faster than stale Windows.

  • scrimshaw on 16/10/2014 - 14:02

    Ditch Windows altogether and go with Lubuntu or Elementary OS.

    Just look how beautiful EOS is, i'm not a linux user but I definitely dig it's user interface. Looks very Mac-like.

    Both very light on resources, and weighing no more than 700MB each. Lubuntu is more bare bones and will likely perform better over Elementary, but it looks uglier. Still I preferred speed over looks, so I went with Lubuntu.

    I installed Lubuntu on my Acer Aspire One ZG7 with Atom N270 netbook and it certainly makes performance much better on a limited 1.5GB of RAM.

    Give it a shot.

    Elementary is here (click the 'download for free' link then choose either Torrent or Direct Download)

    Lubuntu is here

    • shannonn54 on 16/10/2014 - 20:07

      You say you're using Lubuntu on the lappy and you're not a linux user in general, I need to ask what are you using the laptop for, as in usage programs etc.

      I have a older acer aspire x3900 system with an upgrade to an SSD and dedicated video card - using it only for recording TV shows via windows media centre. (Win7)

      I have tried other recording / playback software but they never seem to schedule or record properly.

      How would Linbuntu and more linux styled recording (TV) via dual channel TV dongle (Winfast) go in your opinion. Taking into consideration, I'm definately only a Windows user, can't afford a Mac and don't want to go into command line to achieve results

      Cheers Shannon

      • scrimshaw on 16/10/2014 - 20:23

        Lubuntu is a very bare bones distro, it comes with only the bare essentials and you will need to install additional software packages and drivers to make your hardware work.
        If you're keen to experiment with Linux you WILL need to know one or two things about Linux, or if not read up on few guides online. Otherwise stick to windows.

        You might want to look into googling XBMC (but now named as 'Kodi') which is available as a software for Windows or Linux.

        • shannonn54 on 16/10/2014 - 20:40

          Thanks for the info, yeah best I stick with windows on the x3900 it does what I want it to do and does it well, any modifications etc probably would introduce problems.

          I have used Kodi on the system it was a disaster and the pits, couldn't get it to record or show TV guide etc so ditched it.

          BTW the link for elementary you supplied takes you to the Lubuntu dl which I gather isnt correct.

        • HAL on 17/10/2014 - 10:09

          Have they fixed the drivers issues in Linux? I used Ubuntu and some other distros a while back but the lack of support of my graphics cards and few other things annoyed me.

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:32

      Umm I've never used these OS interface… I wouldn't really want to make a switch now on this small machine?

      700MB? that would still eat up 70% of my 1 GB of ram, hate to imagine how much RAM win 7 basic chews up on it…

      Also wont I have issues getting software loaded as most are windows? or does linux/this lubuntu thing work with compatible windows software?

      I have an Atom N250 i think in my netbook… do you think the processor or hard drive has any significant correlation on "slowness" experienced, or more so the RAM (when proportiontely considering, of course all at that netbook level have an 'effect" per se :D)

      Guess i've never used either ecosystem OS and have no idea how to or reasons to change.. if you know where ii'm coming from?

      • scrimshaw on 19/10/2014 - 12:16

        You have an atom 550 not n250. My netbook is older than yours and it uses ddr2 memory. Linux runs fine, software is fairly easy to install (via use of software repositories) and the ram usage is also much lighter. 700mb is the install size of the OS on the HDD. There are loads of Linux alternatives to Windows software and many of the major software companies now have Linux support, like Dropbox. And the good thing is… You probably won't need to run an antivirus, which will save much needed Ram.

        The problem with these bite sized laptops is the aforementioned lack of ram and slow hard drive, upgrade the ram first then later the HDD to an ssd. This will help with loading times.

        • SaberX on 21/10/2014 - 01:50

          Sorry you're right, that sounds better.

          Loading times of the OS (when upgrading hard drive) or just general loading of programs and functions? My understandin was that the lack of RAM resulted in memory /functions written ot the hard drive for temporary file paging, so by increasing RAM this would have the most direct contributing improvement?

          Hmmm to put it into perspective, compared to the 700 mb linux takes up, how much would Windows 7?

        • scrimshaw on 21/10/2014 - 07:09

          When Windows runs out of RAM, it starts to use the pagefile which is virtual memory on the HDD. HDD is many times slower than RAM, and if your computer uses the HDD frequently for page file access you will have a thrashing HDD, which isn't ideal as it will use a lot of power. An SSD will improve both boot/shutdown times and app loading times by a significant margin. Netbook HDD's are pretty slow.

          The biggest bottleneck however to your system is RAM, as I said before upgrade the RAM first, if that is not possible then the next best thing to upgrade is the SSD.

        • SaberX on 21/10/2014 - 15:31

          @scrimshaw:

          Yeap, understood.

          Hopefully I can upgrade to a 2 gb stick successfully this time as xuqi below mentioned he had one I could have for free. If this works that'd be sweet, otherwise given nobody needs/uses these RAM these days I might struggle to find anything that will work…

          WOuld emailing acer be of any use - would they have a list of actual RAM models etc. available in aus that could be purchased and be compatible with the netbook?

  • Callison on 16/10/2014 - 16:27

    Have you got the latest BIOS installed?

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:29

      Would that cause it to slow down over time if I'm not installing new versions of other software?

      I am not sure, how would I check the BIOS of the mobo and then check if an updates available?

      Actualyl never checked the BIOS for my computers - thought perhaps win update /automatic updates take care of these? Or is this never an automatic process?

  • xuqi on 16/10/2014 - 16:32
    +1

    I have a 2GB stick of the following:

    http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-M471B5673FH0-CF8-1066MHZ-PC3-8…

    Located around the Perth domestic airport. You're welcome to take it for free.

    • GnarlyKnuckles on 16/10/2014 - 23:42
      +1

      I'd be sending this kind dude a stamped self-addressed envelope Saber… 'free' is a pretty good price!

    • SaberX on 17/10/2014 - 23:22

      I'd be really grateful if so. I actually goto the airport often for work, but can drop by to pick it up (rather than cause you inconvenience to post it - unless you prefer that? plus it ensures it's safe).

      I don't know if it's compatible… given my kingston and transcend (or crucial whichever it was) from PLE and austin wouldn't allow the computer to turn on….but happy to let you know and return back if it doesn't.

      Thanks alot if the offer is still open - how would you like me to contact you?

  • GnarlyKnuckles on 16/10/2014 - 23:39
    +3

    Not a single neg or poz in this entire thread; just peeps expressing their opinions, and not being judged for it. Cool.

    • SaberX on 19/10/2014 - 02:30

      haha you just had to jinx and ruin in GNarly!

      Yeap that's the way it shoudl be, opininons and honest feedback - being helpful but not derogatory or too condescending, but of course not sugar coating anything.

      A poz for you ;)

  • kingsville on 21/10/2014 - 15:41

    I have an old Acer Aspire One D250 that was running incredibly slow. Changing out the the RAM from 1Gb to 2Gb didn't make much of a difference. Reinstalling from the recovery partition worked wonders!

    Just this month it covered me for trips to NZ and Perth - I still value the lightness and battery life of this old netbook.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join