Vista: 2 gig or 4 gig??

[K9FV]

I recently purchased a Toshiba P205D/S7438 laptop that comes standard with 1 gig ram (2X512). #It supports up to 4 gig ram. #I am planning to purchase a 2 gig stick - my question: #should I purchase 2 of the 2 gig sticks for a total of 4 gig? #

I read where 2 gig is the "real" minumiun for Vista, how much difference will I notice in starting up, loading alps, etc of 2 gig over the 1 gig? #Will moving to 4 gig make any real difference?

I am using the computer for normal word processing, excel spreadsheets, a small mount of Acad, web surfing, email, Street Atlas mapping program, etc.

Thanks for any info,

Ken H. (Yes, I know I should be on Linux, but there are too many programs not supported by Linux at this time)

[w8gtf]

The first thing you need to check is how many open slots you have for ram. If you have 2 slots and your laptop and they are both currently filled, you will have to remove them. if you planned to remove both 512 sticks to begin with, then this would be no problem.

I would also check to see if Windows Vista supports 4 gigs of ram. Windows XP supposedly does, but do to addressing, most of the time it will only utilize 3 gigs of ram. 3.5 if you tweak windows memory management. If the laptop will support and fully use 4 gigs of ram, I can tell you in the long run you will be alot happier with 4 than 2. That is not to say that you will not be happy with 2 gigs. Ram is just one of those things that generally more is better.

I'm currently looking on google for the manual for this laptop. If I find an answer one way or another on if 4 gigs is supported, I will post a follow up post.

[W3MIV]

Vista 32 supports 4GB. You will probably find that using 2x2GB RAM cards yields 3.5GB or so of actual RAM, just as GTF predicts. I have a desktop running Vista with 4GB and that is what I seem to have. I would agree that 1GB is really minimal if you intend to run Aero.

Given the cost of the chips, and what you plan to do with the laptop, I would add only one 2GB chip. You will be able to take full advantage of Aero. Unless you are running the kinds of programs that really need lots of memory, however, the cost would seem out of line with what you intend.

I like Vista, but many older Windows programs are not too wild about it. Expect some problems, too, with external hardware like printers, scanners, etc. You will have to upgrade a number of drivers.

Good luck.

[K9FV]

Thanks for the responses - Per the manual this notebook does support 4 gig - and you're correct, it will show somewhat less than 4 gig due to the video use of the other ram. Yep, with 2 slots available, I would have to remove the 2 existing 512 sticks, - perhaps order a single 2 gig stick to use with one of the 512 sticks giving 2.5 gig?

Newegg has 2 gig ram chips listed for $40 each with FREE shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231147

Here is the ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231147

Oh, and here is the download URL for the notebook: http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_modelLanding.jsp?ProductMenu_0=Portables&Pro ductMenu_1=Satellite&model_find=&ProductMenu_2=185 4778&moid=1854778&rpn=PSPBLU&smoid=true&ct=MH&List Type=Model&x=34&y=7

I sure need to use tinyURL.

Thanks for the input,

Ken H>

[WA9SVD]

Vista swallows memory like it was shrimp appetizers. 2 GB is an absolute minimum for decent performance, 4 GB will definitely be better. (XP would be decent with 2 GB, but not Vista.)
More important than the operating system (Vista) is whether or not the computer can properly address 4 GB of memory (Apparently, your computer WILL accomodate 4 GB.) And yes, in most laptops, the memory IS shared with the video system, so the memory available to the operating system WILL be less than the full amount added, but that doesn't mean it isn't all being used. With most current or recent laptops, anywhere from 128 to 512 MB of memory IS dedicated to the video system.
You can try the system with 2 GB, and see if it functions well enough for your purposes; otherwise plan to add another 2 GB.

[n2ize]

Quote[/b] (K9FV @ Jan. 02 2008,10:15)]I recently purchased a Toshiba P205D/S7438 laptop that comes standard with 1 gig ram (2X512). #It supports up to 4 gig ram. #I am planning to purchase a 2 gig stick - my question: #should I purchase 2 of the 2 gig sticks for a total of 4 gig? #

I read where 2 gig is the "real" minumiun for Vista, how much difference will I notice in starting up, loading alps, etc of 2 gig over the 1 gig? #Will moving to 4 gig make any real difference?

I am using the computer for normal word processing, excel spreadsheets, a small mount of Acad, web surfing, email, Street Atlas mapping program, etc.

Thanks for any info,

Ken H. (Yes, I know I should be on Linux, but there are too many programs not supported by Linux at this time)
What you should do is remove Viusta from the machine and install GNU Linux in it's place. From what you tell me you use the machine for you should be able to accomplish those tasks quite well via free software. And you won't be locked in to the englobulators bloatware.

[K9FV]

I ordered both 2 gig sticks which will give me 4 gig, or about 3.5 gig used for memory with the balance used for video.... Yes, I have played with Linux, I used Ubuntu 7.10 and it's a neat system and easy to use. It just doesn't do some of the programs I use... AutoCAD, Street Atlas, 3 different programs to program VHF radios (VX-150, IC-2100, KW D700), etc.

I am planing to setup my old notebook with Ubuntu 7.10 as a playground. I ran it from the liveCD and everything including wireless card just worked. Nice easy setup.
Thanks for all the input.... I STILL wish I could find drivers for XP for this new Toshiba notebook!!
73 de Ken H>

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (K9FV @ Jan. 03 2008,06:48)]I ordered both 2 gig sticks which will give me 4 gig, or about 3.5 gig used for memory with the balance used for video.... Yes, I have played with Linux, I used Ubuntu 7.10 and it's a neat system and easy to use. It just doesn't do some of the programs I use... AutoCAD, Street Atlas, 3 different programs to program VHF radios (VX-150, IC-2100, KW D700), etc.

I am planing to setup my old notebook with Ubuntu 7.10 as a playground. I ran it from the liveCD and everything including wireless card just worked. Nice easy setup.
Thanks for all the input.... I STILL wish I could find drivers for XP for this new Toshiba notebook!!
73 de Ken H>
What drivers do you need for XP? If it's a new machine, and you have a "restore disk" (aka, PITA) for the VISTA and whatever comes from the factory, you COULD try installing XP and see how well it works. My understanding is you would have 30 days to test it before you HAVE to "Phone Home" to Microshaft for activation; by that time you should know if you can configure XP to your liking, or if there are deficiencies or lack of drivers.
If all else fails, you can always restore the machine to "factory fresh" Vista. (LIKE I SAID, PITA.)

It's been said by many, including some of the trade magazine journalist/columnists/reviewers, "If you like Vista, you'll LOVE Win XP." http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[KD6NIG]

More importantly-

Make sure you're getting the right SPEED ram for your computer.

If your laptop has a 633MHZ bus and you get 400MHZ ram, you will note serious performance issues.

Make sure you match that up, and get RAM that matches your bus speed. And don't mix different speed RAM either-they will, by default, reduce to the lowest speed chip.

Most places that sell ram will often present the 'best choice' as whichever one is on sale-but watch closely!

I recently got a desktop with a 800MHZ bus speed but when I went to get an extra 2GB they wanted to sell me 400. It would have chopped my ram speed in half!

The more, the merrier when it comes to ram-but I'd get 2GB at the proper bus speed than 4GB at a cheaper price and losing speed. Make sure you get the proper speed ram http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K9FV]

It's the 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) just like listed in the Toshiba manual for the machine... should not be a problem there.

The drivers required are for the video, sound, and modem - I think that was all. I checked the Toshiba website and the ONLY drivers listed for the notebook were VISTA drivers - no XP drivers listed at all. Perhaps the VISTA drivers would work with XP??? I'm not sure - I guess I could try.

One advantage of reformating and installing XP would get rid of the "special" partition created by Toshiba for the HHD recovery - the whole image in stored on the HD in case of problems. The ONLY disks that came with the notebook were the "image restore" CD that will put the HD back "just like new" as it came from factory. That is no good, I've spent too much time removing a lot of crud (programs) from the notebook as it is.

Had the price not been so cheap ($650) I would NOT have purchased it because it did not come with a system disk 9only the image disk), and because it had more crud installed than the last 2 notebooks combined I've purchased (5 yrs ago).

73 de Ken H.

[WA9SVD]

Quote[/b] (K9FV @ Jan. 03 2008,12:16)]It's the 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) just like listed in the Toshiba manual for the machine... should not be a problem there.

The drivers required are for the video, sound, and modem - I think that was all. I checked the Toshiba website and the ONLY drivers listed for the notebook were VISTA drivers - no XP drivers listed at all. Perhaps the VISTA drivers would work with XP??? I'm not sure - I guess I could try.

One advantage of reformating and installing XP would get rid of the "special" partition created by Toshiba for the HHD recovery - the whole image in stored on the HD in case of problems. The ONLY disks that came with the notebook were the "image restore" CD that will put the HD back "just like new" as it came from factory. That is no good, I've spent too much time removing a lot of crud (programs) from the notebook as it is.

Had the price not been so cheap ($650) I would NOT have purchased it because it did not come with a system disk 9only the image disk), and because it had more crud installed than the last 2 notebooks combined I've purchased (5 yrs ago).

73 de Ken H.
Unfortunately, you will be very hard put to find ANY laptop or desktop from a "value subtracted retailer" (H-P, Dell, Compaq, Gateway) that comes with a "standard" install disk of Win9x, XP, opr Vista. They ALL provide only that "restore" disk (if that) and/or a hidden partition to provide for "factory default." (In fact, with my year old XP Compaq, I had to make the "back-up/restore" disk- but THAT is a misnomer. backup of XP and all the C**P they put on the machine from the factory took 14 CD's, and almost an hour!) And the "trail" version programs are a pain to delete; THAT is what should be on a companion CD!

To get real install disks of the OS and hardware drivers, you pretty much have to buy it seperately or build your own, which is a bit difficult for a laptop.

If you go into device manager, you might be able to identify the type of video, modem, etc. and download drivers for XP seperately, but as you say, that would be time intensive.
But I wouldn't really recommend trying to use Vista drivers with XP. I doubt they would work.

The 4 GB of memory will make Vista run much better. It's hard to believe Toshiba would sell a Vista machine with only 1 GB, and fill both memory slots, at that. Then again, they make a huge profit on the "memory upgrade" if that is ordered at the time of purchase, or if people order add-in memory directly from them. Even XP runs much better with 2 GB than the original 512 MB that came with my Compaq.

[K9FV]

The salesman assured me totally the Toshiba came with an actual "OS" disk, NOT just a "restore" disk - he said Toshiba was the only manuf that did that now.... One of the reasons I purchased the Toshiba was the promised OS disk. After I got home and discovered it was a restore disk, I decided to keep it because I had compared the price - they had it on sale for $650 where the other stores in town had the exact same model/configuration for $850.

I think you are correct that the VISTA drivers would not work for XP and VISTA drivers are all I can find on the Toshiba website, but I wonder if the actual manuf of the video chipset would have the correct XP dirvers? AND if they would actually work with the Toshiba notebook???

Anyway, Once the ram gets here I'll install and it should run better... sidenote: NewEgg promised "FREE 3 day shipping" - I ordered and they shipped on Wed, and UPS shows the package should be here next Wed..... I think that "3 day shipping" is a only promise to "ship" in 3 days, NOT a 3 day delivery. The way it's worded on the website I was thinking I'd have the stuff in 4 days... Oh well - shipping was included in the $40 per 2 gig stick.

Ken H>

[WA9SVD]

Sorry to be cynical, but a "salesperson" is just that: A SALES person, and usually doesn't know a CD from a hole in their head. I doubt they know the difference between an actual "install disk" and a "restore" disk.
But again, WinXP, whether Home or Pro edition comes on ONE CD from Microshaft, yet my Compaq required 14 CD's to create the "restore" set to restore the system to factory default. Giving at most 1 CD (680 MB or so) of hardware drivers for video, modem, NIC, soundcard (if not included in XP) that still means 12 of those CD's worth of capacity are garbage (IMHO) and trial programs that I as user have to delete, or accept as wasted space on the laptop hard drive.